By Matthew McGevna
Joanne McNelis received a plaque from McCarthy, who praised the rookie officer as a woman of "significant courage‹physical and emotional."
As reported in the Herald (³A major first in Malverne² July 19-25) McNelis, was sworn in by Mayor Patricia McDonald on July 11. McNelis comes from a family of police officers. Her father was a New York City policeman, and her husband is an NYPD detective.
The Congressional Record publishes the remarks made by members of Congress while it is in session. The "extension of remarks" allows members to make statements outside the Capitol and have them added to the official record. Every two weeks, the Congressional Record is printed in a bound volume, which means that McCarthy¹s statement on McNelis is now officially part of congressional proceedings.
The congresswoman¹s extension of remarks before the House of Representatives is printed as follows:
"Madame Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero and a trailblazer from the 4th Congressional District. Joanne McNelis will make history when she is sworn into the Village of Malverne's Police Department.
"Her actions will reverberate long after her service has finished. This is an historic moment. She will become the first female police officer in the eighty year history of the Village of Malverne. Those that follow after her will have a hole in the glass ceiling that Joanne McNelis created. Joanne's decision could not have been easy. It is never a simple matter to do something that had long been the purview of men. She has demonstrated significant courage‹physical and emotional.
"The daughter of one New York City Police Officer and the wife of another, law enforcement has always been in her blood. Joanne McNelis continues a long line of devoted public servants. She will risk her life to protect and serve her fellow citizens of Malverne. Her willingness to sacrifice her comfort and safety will make her village a safer place.
"Madame Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing the outstanding courage and the extraordinary achievement of Joanne McNelis. Together with her family and friends, I applaud Joanne for her dedication to her community and her sense of duty. I wish her continued success, and am honored to have her as a member of my district."
Malverne historian Robert Powers said the Historical and Preservation Society has photos of McNelis being sworn in as well as other documents for its archives. "A lot of things are moving forward in Malverne," Powers said. "There's a lot going on, and I'm happy to be a part of that history."
Powers, who succeeded David Walsh as the village historian, and was appointed by Mayor Patricia McDonald, added that he would meet with McDonald in the near future to discuss other articles on McNelis's police work that might be preserved.
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