On the brief side...
Maloney Invites Fosco To Hear Berlusconi

Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (D-Queens/Manhattan) invited Maria T. Fosco of Astoria, president of the Italian American Museum in Manhattan to be her guest when Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi addressed a joint session of Congress last week.

"It's an honor to have a leading Italian American New Yorker as my guest," Maloney said. "Italians and Italian Americans are a major part of the fabric of our great city and our nation, and we should always cherish our strong alliance with Italy.

Fosco is a founding trustee of the Italian American Museum, which helps educate the public about Italian Americans, their European roots, values, language and traditions and their contributions to this country, Maloney said. The museum sponsors exhibitions, festivals, lectures and travel programs to Europe with a focus on Italy. Council Overrides Mayor's Veto

Abill requiring large supermarket owners to pay for their workers' health care insurance, which was vetoed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, was overridden by the City Council last week. It was the first override under Speaker Christine Quinn.

Before becoming speaker, Quinn (D-Manhattan) chaired the Health Committee and was the chief sponsor of the Health Care Security Act. The mayor vetoed the bill on the grounds that it violated state and federal law.

The legislation was aimed at Wal-Mart in anticipation of the retailer's opening its first outlet in the city. Wal-Mart has been strongly criticized for its labor practices, the main reason its plans to open a store in Rego Park were defeated. Crowley Hails Dominicans On 162nd Anniversary

Congressmember Joseph Crowley congratulated the people of the Dominican Republic and the Dominican community in New York on the 162nd Dominican Republic Independence Day, saying the country "has long made significant gains in its fight for democracy."

Crowley (D-Queens/The Bronx) stated, "On this day [in 1844], Dominicans declared their independence from Haiti and took a significant first step towards democracy and freedom."

Crowley noted, "New York City is the proud home of the largest population of Dominicans outside of the Dominican Republic, a proud people who make incredible political, economic and cultural contributions to our city and country." Stavisky Marks Women's History Month

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, the first Queens woman elected to the senate, paid homage to women everywhere during Women's History Month, saying, "It is imperative to recognize the outstanding contributions that women make to our communities all over the world."

Stavisky (D-Flushing) noted the efforts of such incredible women as political activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815- 1902), poet and educator Maya Angelou (1928), First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), and humanitarian Mother Teresa (1910-1997), citing them as "women who have made a difference all over the world."

She also acknowledged the accomplishments of Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coretta King, who died recently, "worked tirelessly to keep alive her husband's dream of peace and social justice," Stavisky said.