Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor Regina Kim in recognition of her assistance to victims of domestic violence and abuse.

For the past 16 years Regina Kim has reached out to thousands of helpless, desperate, and battered women. As the Executive Director of the Korean Family Counseling and Research Center, Regina assists women victims of domestic violence, physical and mental harassment, and substance abuse with her compassion and dedication. Through counseling and a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention services, victim advocacy and public education, the Center's mission of helping women and girls taking charge of their lives is put in practice every day. Regina's round-the-clock dedication to those in need is both inspiring and heartwarming.

The Korean Family Counseling and Research Center was the only counseling center for New York's Korean community when it was founded 31 years ago. Today, the rapid growth in Korean immigration to our city has increased the important role of the center.

By providing hope and encouragement to countless women and their families, Regina has won admiration from her colleagues, the local community, as well as people in Korea. In 1992, she was presented the Social Services Recognition Award by the Korean government for her contribution to the Korean-American community. She has also been honored by the City of New York with an award for Distinguished Leadership in the field of Social Services and an award for Exemplary Leadership, Commitment, and Advocacy on Behalf of all New Yorkers.

Regina was educated at the Chong-gu College in Dae-gu, Korea and at the St. Stephens Outreach Network (Social Welfare). She is an active member of The Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification and the Civil Air Patrol. This organization also presented her with an award for Distinguished Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, Regina Kim has helped thousands of women who have been victims of domestic violence and abuse. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Keith Alexander Glascoe.

This weekend a street in New York City will be dedicated and named in honor of Keith Alexander Glascoe. This is a fitting tribute to an honorable man.

In his life, he traveled down many streets and by-ways. The message of his life was to always keep moving down the road and to never be sidetracked by any obstacles.

As we know, he played football from the time he was a child. He had the rare ability to be both a team player and an outstanding individual player. He not only contributed to several championships on his high school and college teams, he also had the rare opportunity to try out for the New York Jets and played professional football in Italy.

As a testament to his ability to move between many arenas, this athlete was also an actor. And I think that the fact that he was able to accumulate so many acting credits in such a short period of time, not only speaks to his talent, but also his perseverance. Few people have this kind of uncommon versatility coupled with determination. But Keith was not only a determined person, he was a concerned person. He wanted to make things better for others.

So this athlete and actor, added public servant to his list of credits. This is why he worked at New York City's Child Welfare Agency and this is why he went to work for the New York City Fire Department.

And this is exactly the right street to name in honor of Keith because it is situated between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard. Keith's street belongs between these two streets that are named after two African-American men who devoted themselves to improving the lives of ordinary people.

Keith Glascoe was the kind of man who saw a problem and wanted to find a solution. He was the kind of man who saw a need and sought to fill it. He was the kind of man who helped others. And gave his life in the process of doing so. That is why it is fitting that we name this street after this great public servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Steven Ruffin in recognition of his tireless efforts to strengthen the community through his work as a member of the New York City Police Department.

Steven Ruffin was born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant community in Brooklyn. He is the oldest of four children. His interests include jazz, Afro-centric art, sports and working with the community.

He was appointed to the New York City Police Department on January 21, 1985 and was assigned to the Neighborhood Stabilization Unit, where he performed foot patrol within the 73rd, 75th and the 81st precincts.

In January 1985, Officer Ruffin was assigned to the 79th precinct. He performed patrol duties there for ten years. Later, in 1995, he was assigned as the Explorer/Auxiliary Coordinator, making him responsible for the supervision of the Explorer and Auxiliary members.

For the past four years, Officer Ruffin's experience and expertise has resulted in improved community relations. He has accomplished this by developing a prosperous partnership between the community and the 79th precinct, which has been instrumental in closing the gap between the community and police. He encourages his fellow officers to become more involved and concerned with the neighborhood in the area they serve and protect.

Officer Ruffin has also successfully collaborated with local officials, neighborhood organizations, schools, and churches in Bedford Stuyvesant to strengthen the community. He has also played an active role in organizing youth programs, parades, demonstrations, rallies, and various events. For all of his contributions, Officer Ruffin has received numerous awards for his community service.

Mr. Speaker, Steven Ruffin has dedicated both his professional and personal life to strengthening the community. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley in recognition of his spiritual leadership in the community.

Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley is the senior pastor of The Elim International Fellowship.

The doors of the church were opened for ministry on July 26, 1964. As the founding pastor, Archbishop McKinley has served the church faithfully for forty years.

Archbishop McKinley has an overwhelming passion to introduce people, especially men, to the Church and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Archbishop McKinley believes that these teachings hold the key to every door. He is especially called to reach black men with the message of hope through Jesus Christ and with the necessity of embracing one's spiritual, national and racial identity.

Archbishop McKinley has been a gift to the Church. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is a leader who is committed to sharing his time and talent with others.

Mr. Speaker, Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley has been a spiritual leader in his community for more than forty years. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of St. Blase ``KC'' Charles in recognition of his significant cultural and economic development contributions to the community.

St. Blase Charles, better known as KC, hails from the twin island Nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. He has been an entertainer for more than 30 years. Famous for his Caribbean-style rendition of the ``father of soul,'' Mr. James Brown, KC is also affectionately known as the ``Local James Brown'' throughout the entertainment circles in North America and members of his international fan club. Along with his own musical group, the International Band, KC has performed at major events and famous places including the West Indian Labor Day Parade in Brooklyn, the Harlem Day Parade, Manhattan's Annual Halloween Parade, the MGM and Sahara casino in Las Vegas, and the Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruises, just to name a few.

KC's summer concerts were launched in 1989 at his garage at East 87th Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn where he held a huge block party on Memorial Day. In order to accommodate the growing crowd that came to the yearly event, in 1991, KC moved his Caribbean style street festival to Ditmas Avenue near his East 87th Street garage. The event covered ten blocks. The event continued at Ditmas Avenue until 1996, when KC took his show and a loyal following of thousands to its new home on Atlantic Avenue.

Spanning 10,000 square feet and a maximum occupancy of 4,300, the Hideaway is a spacious outdoor venue located at 2494 Atlantic, in an industrial section of Brooklyn. Since 1998, the Hideaway, which is owned and managed by KC, has been hosting its hallmark Summer Concert Series featuring today's leading soca, calypso, and reggae musical acts from around the Caribbean and here in the United States. Along with top performers, the Hideaway showcases some of the most popular Caribbean- American DJs. It is also equipped with a fully licensed bar, a professional sized stage, and an elevated VIP lounge where performing artist and special guests can view and enjoy the shows.

KC's Hideaway has become a major attraction for thousands of Caribbean music lovers from around the world who are drawn to Brooklyn, the Caribbean Capital of the United States, year after year to celebrate the West Indian Labor Day Carnival season, which begins in May. The venue stages around 66 shows a year and the number of concertgoers has steadily increased over the past three years. The concert grew from an audience of about 80,000 for the season in 1998, to approximately 165,000 for this season.

Mr. Speaker, St. Blase ``KC'' Charles has developed and created a major cultural event in his community, which has brought thousands of people to Brooklyn each year to celebrate their Caribbean heritage. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Glenore M. Anderson in recognition of her civic participation and business success.

Glenore is a living testimony to the power of hard work and effort. A banker by profession, it took Ms. Anderson eleven years to move up the corporate ladder to her current position as Vice President/Branch Manager of the Broadway and Driggs Street Office of HSBC Bank, one of the largest branches of HSBC Bank USA in Brooklyn, NY.

Born on the island of Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies, Glenore immigrated to the United States in the summer of 1992. She moved here with her family after successfully completing her studies in her home country. A few short months after taking up residence in New York City, she was hired as a customer service representative with Marine Midland bank, which later became HSBC Bank USA. She quickly moved through the ranks and excelled as a sales representative, sales manager, OIC (officer in charge), and Vice President/Branch manager.

Glenore continues to exemplify this spirit of excellence in her current position as the Branch Manager. She continuously works toward motivating her staff of 16 by employing a ``hands on'' approach. In so doing, she demonstrates her abilities as a team player and team leader. She believes that it is important for her staff to see that she can do whatever task is required of them. Due to this type of cohesive effort and leadership skills, the operation of the branch has been very successful, which boasts assets totaling $105 million.

In addition to her expertise in banking, Glenore has also earned accolades for her efforts to strengthen the community. As such, she was honored with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry award for Women History makers of 2000; the Network Journal award for 40 Under Forty Achievers of 2001; and an award from the New Deeper Life Tabernacle in 2003.

During the month of February in 2001, 2002 and 2003, she brought this sense of community to the branch by hosting a celebration of Black History Month. The celebrations took the form of an art exhibit mounted in conjunction with Art Groupie.Com, which featured the works of four African/Caribbean American artists.

Married and the mother of one, Glenore receives strong support from her family and friends who believe whole-heartedly in her potential to reach the stars.

Mr. Speaker, Glenore M. Anderson has excelled in the business world while still finding

time to contribute to her community. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Anthony Joseph in recognition of his entrepreneurial success in the marketing and communications field.

As a product of New York City public school system, Anthony parlayed his academic achievement and his experience as an All-City championship football player into a walk-on position on the Boston University squad. Anthony promoted campus parties and events to subsidize his tuition. After graduation, he quickly turned a temp job in The New York Times' finance department into a staff position in the paper's marketing department.

With just one experience as an employee with the New York Times, Anthony combined his knowledge of urban landscape with his marketing expertise to incorporate the fastest rising marketing/communication company in the urban field. Anthony laid the foundation for his urban success by moonlighting with Vital Marketing Group VMG while still at the Times. Through contacts at a major apparel and an advertising agency, Anthony was able to participate in business meetings where he was able to present strategies, which, over time, turned into contracts with Tommy Hilfiger, Hush Puppies, and Wolverine Boots.

Eventually, Anthony's growing client base necessitated his departure from the Times. He partnered with the African-American media company that established the billboard beachhead on Harlem's 125th Street, utilized by so many entertainment companies at the time. Together they formed VMG, with Anthony leading the charge. After merely four years of business, its roster counts big-timers such as the U.S. Army, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Coca Cola, Remy Martin, Foot Action, Posner Cosmetics and Universal Records to name a few. It has an income of over $7 million in annual revenue.

Vital Marketing's unusual methodology and its consistent success can be credited in great

part to its founder and president, Anthony Joseph. The Queens-bred son of a Jamaican mother and Puerto Rican father, Anthony, understood the significance of culture early on as it related to marketing.

In May 2001, VMG was presented with the Black Enterprise Rising Star Award, in honor of the high revenues garnered by VMG's high profile clients. A year later, VMG offered further proof that they were on the assent when they turned a cold call and a year of conversation into a multimillion dollar contract with the U.S. Army via advertising giant Leo Burnett.

Mr. Speaker, Anthony Joseph has created a successful company through his own hard work and ingenuity. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Greater Free Gift Baptist Church in recognition of the church's 50th year of existence, serving as a place of spiritual leadership in the community.

The Free Gift Baptist Mission was first organized on May 9, 1954 in the Home of Reverend J.W. McCray on 714A Monroe Street in Brooklyn, New York. The church leaders included Deacon Lee Gains who was chairman of the deacon board; Deacon Brodie who was treasurer; Sister Gertrude Ortory was who the church clerk; and Deacon Roosevelt Kirkland who served as chairman of the trustee board. There were about 25 charter members.

On the following Sunday, worship services were also held at 494 Lexington Avenue, where Reverend Wayne was pastor. In June of that same year, the church occupied its premises at 77 Sumner Avenue. On October 24, 1955, an Advisory Council meeting of the Eastern Baptist Association was held for the purpose of recognizing Free Gift Baptist Church as a regular Baptist church. In September 1956, the pastor, members, and many visitors and friends marched from 77 Sumner Avenue to 1058 Myrtle Avenue.

In June 1959, Reverend Daniel Webster Batts was called to serve as pastor of the church. In 1961, the Free Gift Baptist Church due to legal reasons changed its name to Greater Free Gift Baptist Church. Under new leadership, congregants continued worshipping at 1058 Myrtle Avenue. In 1962, membership was instructed to look for larger and better quarters, and through the help of the Almighty, church members located its present site at 146 Stockton Street. On December 12, 1991, the church lost its pastor Reverend Dr. Daniel Webster Batts and for three years while under the leadership of the Deacon Board, the church searched for a new pastor.

Finally, on February 26, 1995, the church installed its current pastor, Reverend William Raymond Whitaker, Jr. and since then the ministry has continued to grow. Under Reverend Whitaker's leadership, the church now has a ministerial staff consisting of three ministries, a nurses unit, the Greater Free Gift Bible Institute, which includes a General Bible Class and Child and Youth Evangelism Classes, an in-house library, a remedial reading assistance class, a basic computer training class, two vans, the D.W. Batts Fellowship Hall as well as the formation of the Drama and Dance Ministry and Serenity on Stockton Street. In May 2003, the main sanctuary and the D.W. Batts Fellowship Hall were renovated.

Mr. Speaker, the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church has served as a religious sanctuary for 50 years, inspiring spiritual growth, knowledge and understanding in the community. As such, the church is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable congregation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Josephine and Henry Bolus in recognition of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Josephine and Henry first met back in 1948 as junior high school students in lower Manhattan. Their courtship was interrupted when Henry began his service in the Korean war. He was stationed in Japan but had to return home due to a family illness. While home, Henry proposed to Josephine, and the couple got married on May 11, 1954 in Harlem, NY at Mount Zion Lutheran Church.

Henry returned to Japan to continue his service to our country. He would later return, and he and Josephine would start their family in Brooklyn, NY.

Henry and Josephine have two children, Michael and Sabrina, three grandchildren, Michael, Ana Margaret, and Hector, and one great- grandchild, Jasmine.

On May 1, 2004, Josephine and Henry will come together in front of friends and family to renew their vows in celebration, love and commitment to each other.

Mr. Speaker, Josephine and Henry Bolus have dedicated their lives to each through 50 years of wonderful marriage, serving as an example to us all. As such, they are more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable couple.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Medgar Evers College for adding a Baccalaureate degree program in Social Work to its curriculum. Social Work is an invaluable profession for creative and positive change in our communities, and I commend Medgar Evers for fulfilling this vital social need.

The announcement of this degree program coincides with National Social Work Month. Being a social worker myself, I know the vital role this profession plays in empowering individuals and enhancing social well-being.

Social workers are able to reach the most disaffected members of our communities. People who otherwise would have fallen through the cracks are taught to identify and manage the underlying environmental forces behind their social problems.

There are approximately half a million social workers actively involved in helping individuals with various needs in areas such as health, mental illness, diversity, children, families, aging, poverty, human rights, and social injustice. Despite the far-reaching benefits of social work it is a profession in need of new members. Nearly three fourths of all social workers were born before 1960, and their median age is 50. Programs like the one being started at Medgar Evers are essential for preparing a new generation of social workers to address the complex problems facing society today.

Social workers are on the front lines, battling the many social problems plaguing our communities. The very nature and goal of social work is to help people. I cannot think of a profession more worthy of praise or more significant in impact.

Medgar Evers College faithfully serves the community by fulfilling its mission of meeting ``the educational and social needs of Central Brooklyn through the development and maintenance of high quality, professional career-oriented undergraduate degree programs in the context of liberal education.'' The creation of a degree in Social Work is another step forward in this fine educational tradition.

I know that my own education in social work has been invaluable in both my personal and professional lives, and I am happy that Medgar Evers is supporting this noble and important profession.

Mr. Speaker, Medgar Evers College is working hard to serve its community through the addition of a Social Work degree to its curriculum. As such, it is worthy of receiving our recognition today, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable institution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Henry Bolus in recognition of his service to New York City and his country as well as his accomplishments in the beauty industry.

Henry was born to Henrietta and Roy Bolus on February 19, 1934, in City Hospital of New York, located on Welfare Island now known as Roosevelt Island. He was one of 5 children. Henry's solid education was obtained through the New York City public school system, from kindergarten straight through Brooklyn College. Long coupled with his wife, Henry has gone from teenage friend of Josephine, to a loving husband of more than 50 years, and the cherished and respected father of their two children: Michael Henry and Sabrina Jo. Henry is the warm and generous father-in-law of Ana Alicea; the cheerful, playful, and caring grandfather of three, Michael Luis, Ana Margarita, and Hector Luis; and lastly the proud great grandfather of Jasmine. At the urging of his young children, Henry went from never having a single pet, to happily living with cats and dogs.

Throughout his adult life, Henry has had a long history of dedicated and exemplary volunteer service to the community. He has touched and enriched the lives of many. From an altar boy in the Catholic Church, he found his way to becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus. He volunteers each week as an usher at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Shrine Church of St. Jude in Canarsie.

Voluntarily enlisting in the U.S. Army, Henry proudly served his country during the Korean

conflict. First as a private infantryman, and later as a paratrooper, he served in the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team of the U.S. Army. His service, in support of our country's efforts to thwart the spread of communism into South Korea and perhaps beyond, led to his being the humble recipient of a 2003 New York City Council Proclamation which cited his exceptional service to this great Nation.

Henry went from a street-corner shoeshine boy, to an electrical appliance stock clerk, to a beauty equipment salesperson, and finally to a designer of many of Brooklyn's beauty salons & barber shops. His dedication to his clients and the beauty industry earned him the ``Cosmetology Man of the Year'' Award.

Henry has also become a valuable community activist. Working quietly in the background, yet always willing to help, he has provided transportation for those in need; helped setup health fairs for numerous civic organizations; and assisted in the resurrection of the Canarsie Memorial Day Parade. He has also served on numerous civic and special community associations, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club Inc., the United Parents Fraternal, and Informed Voices of Canarsie, Etc. He has the distinct honor of having served as the only African-American on the 69th Precinct Community Council, in its 35-year history. For his hard work and commitment to the Canarsie Community, he received an award from the Friends United Block Association (FUBA) in 2001. For helping to establish the NYC branch of North Carolina A&T College Alumni, he was awarded an Associate Alumni membership.

As a longtime, 43 years resident of New York City Housing, he established the NYC Bayview Housing Sports Day. This is a festive day of multiple sports events, dancing, food, and awards for the children of the community.

Mr. Speaker, Henry Bolus has dedicated his life to serving his country and his community through his active participation in a vast array of civic organization. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley in recognition of his spiritual leadership in the community.

Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley is the senior pastor of The Elim International Fellowship.

The doors of the church were opened for ministry on July 26, 1964. As the founding pastor, Archbishop McKinley has served the church faithfully for 40 years.

Archbishop McKinley has an overwhelming passion to introduce people, especially men, to the Church and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Archbishop McKinley believes that these teachings hold the key to every door. He is especially called to reach black men with the message of hope through Jesus Christ and with the necessity of embracing one's spiritual, national and racial identity.

Archbishop McKinley has been a gift to the Church. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is a leader who is committed to sharing his time and talent with others.

Mr. Speaker, Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley has been a spiritual leader in his community for more than 40 years. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Glenore M. Anderson in recognition of her civic participation and business success.

Glenore is a living testimony to the power of hard work and effort. A banker by profession, it took Ms. Anderson 11 years to move up the corporate ladder to her current position as vice president/branch manager of the Broadway and Driggs Street Office of HSBC Bank, one of the largest branches of HSBC Bank USA in Brooklyn, NY.

Born on the island of Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies, Glenore immigrated to the United States in the summer of 1992. She moved here with her family after successfully completing her studies in her home country. A few short months after taking up residence in New York City, she was hired as a customer service representative with Marine Midland bank, which later became HSBC Bank USA. She quickly moved through the ranks and excelled as a sales representative, sales manager, OIC (officer in charge), and vice president/branch manager.

Glenore continues to exemplify this spirit of excellence in her current position as the branch manager. She continuously works toward motivating her staff of 16 by employing a ``hands on'' approach. In so doing, she demonstrates her abilities as a team player and team leader. She believes that it is important for her staff to see that she can do whatever task is required of them. Due to this type of cohesive effort and leadership skills, the operation of the branch has been very successful, which boasts assets totaling $105 million.

In addition to her expertise in banking, Glenore has also earned accolades for her efforts to strengthen the community. As such, she was honored with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry award for Women History makers of 2000; the Network Journal award for 40 Under Forty Achievers of 2001; and an an award from the New Deeper Life Tabernacle in 2003.

During the month of February in 2001, 2002 and 2003, she brought this sense of community to the branch by hosting a celebration of Black History Month. The celebrations took the form of an art exhibit mounted in conjunction with Art Groupie.Com, which featured the works of four African/Caribbean American artists.

Married and the mother of one, Glenore receives strong support from her family and friends who believe whole-heartedly in her potential to reach the stars.

Mr. Speaker, Glenore M. Anderson has excelled in the business world while still finding time to contribute to her community. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of St. Blase ``KC'' Charles in recognition of his significant cultural and economic development contributions to the community.

St. Blase Charles, better known as KC, hails from the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. He has been an entertainer for more than 30 years. Famous for his Caribbean-style rendition of the ``father of

soul,'' Mr. James Brown, KC is also affectionately known as the ``Local James Brown'' throughout the entertainment circles in North America and members of his international fan club. Along with his own musical group, the International Band, KC has performed at major events and famous places including the West Indian Labor Day Parade in Brooklyn, the Harlem Day Parade, Manhattan's Annual Halloween Parade, the MGM and Sahara casino in Las Vegas, and the Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruises, just to name a few.

KC's summer concerts were launched in 1989 at his garage at East 87th Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn where he held a huge block party on Memorial Day. In order to accommodate the growing crowd that came to yearly event, in 1991, KC moved his Caribbean style street festival to Ditmas Avenue near his East 87th Street garage. The event covered ten blocks. The event continued at Ditmas Avenue until 1996, when KC took his show and a loyal following of thousands to its new home on Atlantic Avenue.

Spanning 10,000 square feet and a maximum occupancy of 4,300, the Hideaway is a spacious outdoor venue located at 2494 Atlantic, in an industrial section of Brooklyn. Since 1998, the Hideaway, which is owned and managed by KC, has been hosting its hallmark Summer Concert Series featuring today's leading soca, calypso, and reggae musical acts from around the Caribbean and here in the United States. Along with top performers, the Hideaway showcases some of the most popular Caribbean- American DJs. It is also equipped with a fully licensed bar, a professional sized stage, and an elevated VIP lounge where performing artist and special guests can view and enjoy the shows.

KC's Hideaway has become a major attraction for thousands of Caribbean music lovers from around the world who are drawn to Brooklyn, the Caribbean Capital of the United States, year after year to celebrate the West Indian Labor Day Carnival season, which begins in May. The venue stages around 66 shows a year and the number of concertgoers has steadily increased over the past three years. The concert grew from an audience of about 80,000 for the season in 1998, to approximately 165,000 for this season.

Mr. Speaker, St. Blase ``KC'' Charles has developed and created a major cultural event in his community, which has brought thousands of people to Brooklyn each year to celebrate their Caribbean heritage. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Anthony Joseph in recognition of his entrepreneurial success in the marketing and communications field.

As a product of New York City public school system, Anthony parlayed his academic achievement and his experience as an All-City championship football player into a walk-on position on the Boston University squad. Anthony promoted campus parties and events to subsidize his tuition. After graduation, he quickly turned a temp job in The New York Times' finance department into a staff position in the paper's marketing department.

With just one experience as an employee with the New York Times, Anthony combined his knowledge of urban landscape with his marketing expertise to incorporate the fastest rising marketing/communication company in the urban field. Anthony laid the foundation for his urban success by moonlighting with Vital Marketing Group VMG while still at the Times. Through contacts at a major apparel and an advertising agency, Anthony was able to participate in business meetings where he was

able to present strategies, which, over time, turned into contracts with Tommy Hilfiger, Hush Puppies, and Wolverine Boots.

Eventually, Anthony's growing client base necessitated his departure from the Times. He partnered with the African-American media company that established the billboard beachhead on Harlem's 125th Street, utilized by so many entertainment companies at the time. Together they formed VMG, with Anthony leading the charge. After merely four years of business, its roster counts big-timers such as the U.S. Army, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Coca Cola, Remy Martin, Foot Action, Posner Cosmetics and Universal Records to name a few. It has an income of over $7 million in annual revenue.

Vital Marketing's unusual methodology and its consistent success can be credited in great part to its founder and president, Anthony Joseph. The Queens-bred son of a Jamaican mother and Puerto Rican father, Anthony, understood the significance of culture early on as it related to marketing.

In May 2001, VMG was presented with the Black Enterprise Rising Star Award, in honor of the high revenues garnered by VMG's high profile clients. A year later, VMG offered further proof that they were on the assent when they turned a cold call and a year of conversation into a multimillion dollar contract with the U.S. Army via advertising giant Leo Burnett.

Mr. Speaker, Anthony Joseph has created a successful company through his own hard work and ingenuity. As such, he is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.