Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Monica Gill, in recognition of her dedication to children and young adults as a teacher and social worker, as well as her accomplishments in the business world.

Monica is not afraid of anything that comes before her other than God as she has always had obstacles in her life that she had to overcome. Losing her mother at the early age of 13 set the precedent for a difficult road ahead. She attended the Spence School--High School, University of Nebraska--Omaha, University of Missouri, Kansas City and Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work. Monica earned a BA in Journalism/International Studies, a M.S. in Urban Studies and 24 credits toward her Masters in Social Work, respectively. While obtaining her college degrees, she had three children: Joan, and twins, Imani and N'Namdi. At the same time, she would also work one or sometimes two jobs.

She began her career as a photographer/public relations assistant at Warner Communications. Next she went to Europe, where she assisted Air Force personnel with their college achievements in Europe. Monica returned to the states where she worked with the college administration preparing the paths for college graduates to successfully gain employment for one of the Fortune 500 companies. She would work one job during the day around her classes and on weekends, she worked with Cox Cable of Omaha in the production and programming department.

In 1983, she received a scholarship from the National Association of Black Journalists for an essay she wrote regarding the life of Malcolm X. That same year she received a broadcaster's award from KMTV-TV Omaha and an internship from KETV-TV as a weekend reporter. She moved to Kansas City and

became an in-house writer for the Federal Reserve Bank District 10. Afterward, she worked for the Kansas City Conventions and Visitors Bureau and the Kansas City Globe (an African-American Daily). Her journalism and broadcasting career was booming, until the twins helped her change careers and she became a Language Arts Teacher for four years. The frustration of teaching children who were dirty and hungry led her to become a social worker and work to improve the lives of youth. After working as a social worker for more than 10 years, she realized her specialty was working with adolescents from 16-23 years old. She assisted over 200 youth to obtain housing, GEDs, employment and vocational training to better their lives. Finding services and advocating for the youth was a God-given vocation for her, which Monica had to recently give up due to surgical complications.

Monica is currently a real estate sales associate for Coldwell Banker-Five Star Realty and serves on the Bedford Stuyvesant Real Estate Board. She is on the Advisory Board for Building Blocks Child Care Center, Board Advisor for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services--Pyramid Reception Center, Bronx, and a consultant for the Caribbean Carnival Bands and Activities. Monica also attends Christian Cultural Center, which is pastored by the Rev. A.R. Bernard.

Mr. Speaker, Monica Gill has significantly improved her community through her work as a teacher, social worker, and now as an advisor to advocacy organizations. 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 Jasmine Edwards in recognition of her commitment to serving families in need of assistance.

Born to Guyanese immigrants, Jasmine is a member of the first generation in her family to be born in the United States of America. Her mother emigrated to the U.S. as a registered nurse and later became a New York City school teacher. Her father, a former probation officer supervisor emigrated to the U.S. to attend the University of Connecticut. She recently became the seventh member in her family to become an attorney.

Jasmine is admitted to practice law in New York State and the United States District Courts. She is a member of the Association of Black Women Attorneys, Brooklyn Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. She is also a licensed real estate broker and an instructor at the New York Paralegal School. Her law firm of Edwards & Greenidge is based in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Jasmine and her partner, both Guyanese-Americans, are committed to serving those in the community who desperately need legal advice.

After graduating from Temple University, she worked as a social worker. Jasmine provided services to families that had been accused of child abuse and/or neglect. Her goal was to assist parents in implementing alternative parenting skills. During her tenure at CUNY School of Law, Jasmine accepted an internship at the prestigious Federal Defenders Association of Philadelphia in the Habeas Corpus Unit. The objective of the Habeas Corpus Unit was to convince the appellate courts that certain convicted criminals should not be executed. While working as a researcher that summer, Jasmine discovered that over 80 percent of the persons on death row shared the same painful experiences when they were younger as those abused and neglected children, who were part of families that she once counseled as a social worker.

These experiences coupled with her desire to assist others inspired her to establish a law office in a neighborhood where many people are underserved. Jasmine's goal is to provide outstanding legal representation that is proactive as well as reactive.

Mr. Speaker, Jasmine Edwards has dedicated her life to helping those in need, as a social worker for abused and neglected children and now as an attorney for the underserved residents of Brooklyn. 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 Sandra Doctor in recognition of her longstanding commitment and work for her immediate community, New York City and the State of New York.

Sandra is a woman of faith, hope and strength. A spiritual person, she is hardworking and cares deeply for her family and her fellow man. She tries to make a difference in the lives of others. She also has a passion for the arts, modern and praise dancing, and music. Sandra loves to read books as well.

Sandra was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is the eldest daughter of Roy Lee and Mildred Miller. She has been a member of St. Paul Community Baptist Church for over 31 years and has served on the young adult usher board and now works with the Jewel Collective Women's Ministry.

Sandra attended Bay Ridge High School in Brooklyn and went on to pursue a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management from the State University of New York College at Old Westbury in May 1986. After graduating from college she worked for the New York City Board of Education as a Purchasing Assistant. Two years later, she took a position with the NYC Human Resources Administration, Adult Protective Services, and has been there for the last 16 years. She has held many positions including Field Caseworker, Intake Caseworker, Unit Supervisor, Assistant to the Director, and is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator. Sandra is the liaison between APS and community based organizations, the Office of Health and Mental Health, the NYS Office of Fair Hearings and NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

She also worked weekends for two years at Clinton Housing Development Corp. as a counselor and front desk security. CHDC is a SRO that provides housing and social services to mentally ill, elderly and previously homeless adults. Currently Sandra attends Hunter College School of Social Work Management Development Program.

Sandra serves on many advisory boards; Manhattan Geriatric Committee, New York County Taskforce on Elder Abuse, Elder Mistreatment Committee, Living Alone Needing Care (LINC), and Mentally Ill Chemically and Alcohol Dependent (MICA).

She has been a member of the Women's Caucus for Congressman Ed Towns since 1998. She is also a member of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Mayor's Taskforce and HRA Crisis and Disaster Team, where she has volunteered for the last five years. Sandra has received awards for the 911 Tragedy and the Citywide Y2K Operation. She has received emergency training through HRA Crisis and Disaster team and the American Red Cross.

Mr. Speaker, Sandra Doctor has dedicated her life to her community and her church through both her professional and personal life. 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 Janet B. Munroe Rousseau in recognition of her dedication to her community and improving the lives of children.

Janet was born in Trinidad, West Indies. When she immigrated to the United States with her husband, she had already had a nursing degree. She started her nursing profession in England. However, Janet decided to broaden her scope of knowledge by completing the certification for the Nurse Midwifery Program (R.N, C.N.M.) at Downstate University in Brooklyn, New York. She is licensed to practice Midwifery by the New York State Education Department and the American College of Nurse Midwives. Janet also completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health at St. Joseph's College while working full-time and presiding as Vice-President of the PTA at her daughter's elementary school.

Janet is a member of over ten professional affiliations within her nursing career including: the Nursing Admissions Committee, the Clinical Faculty of the College of Health Related Professions, and the Search Committee for the Chairperson of the Nurse-Midwifery Program, which is only given to those who are accomplished in their field.

During her career Janet has collaborated with other nursing professionals in formulating the first health fair for Central and East Flatbush area.

In addition to being a health care provider, Janet has been a member of the Sesame Flyers International Inc. since its inception in 1983. She has held numerous positions within this prestigious organization including Vice-President, Treasurer, Comptroller, Head of Social Affairs, Nutritionist for the Children's Saturday Program and now, a member of the Board of Directors. This community service organization is her second family. Janet devotes a lot of her spare time to making sure the group lives up to the motto, ``Love a Kid Today and Everyday.''

Janet is truly worthy to be honored as a ``Woman Who Dares to Be Different.'' She is not only a daring woman, but she is also a dynamic wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, friend and well- rounded blessed person.

Mr. Speaker, Janet B. Munroe Rousseau has dedicated her life to strengthening her community as a health care provider and community activist. 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 Joan Peterson in recognition of her substantial contributions to her community.

Upon gazing on their beautiful baby girl, parents Emily Cole and John Stafford named her Joan, celebrating the namesake of both grandmothers.

Joan spent her early years of elementary education at Clio Public School where her grandmother, Joan Guice taught first grade, her mother taught 10th grade and her grandfather Professor Charles Guice served as principal for 50 years. Her latter years were spent at St. Joseph Catholic School where she graduated 8th Grade. Upon completing elementary school, she attended Holy Rosary High School in Lafayette, Louisiana and graduated with honors.

Joan attended college at Tuskegee University with a major in Nursing Education. However, when her mother moved the family to Brooklyn, New York, she enrolled at Medgar Evers College and completed her education in Business Management. She later attended New York University and received a certificate as an Administrative Assistant.

Joan worked with the United Negro College Fund as an Employee Associate where she began to develop a format that would bring together all graduates of other black colleges to participate in a job market. This has now evolved as a site on the Internet for job placements.

Joan later met and married hometown friend, David Peterson, Jr. From their union, two children, Danielle and David Peterson III, were born. The children attended St. Paul Community Christian School where Joan became very involved in her children's education and participated in all fundraising activities. When the children transferred to P.S. 308, Joan continued to be active and was the Financial Secretary for the P.T.A. until her daughter Danielle graduated. Joan joined the Concerned Women of Brooklyn in which she is still an active member. In 1997, Joan's husband became ill and passed away. Subsequently, Joan bought a house and moved to Bedford-Stuyvesant, where she immediately joined the Block Association where she now serves as Financial Secretary.

Joan presently works for the Health and Hospital Corporation as a Senior Systems Analyst. In her sixteen years of service, she has worked in several areas, Office of Affiliations, Construction Management, Kings County Reconstruction Project, Elmhurst Modernization Project, Accounting Department and presently she is in the Receiving Department at Queens Hospital.

As a recipient of several awards as an Outstanding Leader in her community and school, Joan is interested in developing a program that would address young males, ages 10-18 years. Joan is a member of St. Paul Community Baptist Church, where Rev. Johnny Ray Youngblood is the senior pastor.

Mr. Speaker, Joan Peterson has actively participated in improving her community through various volunteer positions. 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 Ojeda Hall-Phillips in recognition of her dedication to increasing economic opportunities for women and minorities in her community.

Ojeda Hall-Phillips is the Deputy Director of the Local Development Corporation of East New York, a 25-year old community economic development, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to developing business, job and housing opportunities for the residents of East Brooklyn and the surrounding areas. A strategist and planner, Ojeda runs the Brooklyn Enterprise Center at the Local Development Corporation of East New York whose mission is to build economic independence among women and minorities through enterprise formation and expansion and skills development, with special emphasis on low- income African Americans and Latinos in East Brooklyn. She previously served as an associate in the strategic planning departments of the investment banking firms of Salomon Smith Barney and JP Morgan.

Also an entrepreneur, Ojeda is the Associate Publisher of Glory Magazine, a lifestyle magazine that empowers African American Christian women to live out their faith in everyday life from fitness, health, beauty, and fashion to money management, spiritual growth, parenting, and relationships. She has been a contributing writer for Heart & Soul Magazine, writing articles focusing on repairing credit and managing finances.

A member of the Board of Deaconesses of the Brown Memorial Baptist Church, she became head of Spiritual Ministries for the Women's Ministry Institute at Brown Memorial Baptist Church in 2002. She co- leads the Women's Bible Studies and the First Friday Women's Revival Series.

She currently serves on the Boards of Directors for: Groundwork Inc, a youth development program to support young people living in high poverty urban communities to develop their strengths, skills, talents and competencies through effective experiential learning and work programs with special emphasis on youth in East New York; the New York City Financial Network Action Consortium, an initiative to build better community development credit unions in New York City; Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, a job readiness program providing training and employment for hard to employ youth and adults in Brooklyn and; the Association of Women's Business Centers which develop and strengthen a global network of women's business centers to advance the growth and success of women business owners.

Ms. Hall-Phillips earned a bachelors degree in government from Harvard University and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from the Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ. She is the winner of Drew University's Lawrence E. Toombs Prize in Old Testament History, F.B. Yetter Prize in Old Testament Studies; and the Patricia Wickham Prize in Feminist Scholarship and Spirituality and Social Justice Award. She is married to Minister Samuel Phillips III, Associate Minister of the Brown Memorial Baptist Church. Ojeda and her husband live in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.

Mr. Speaker, Ojeda Hall-Phillips has dedicated her life through professional and volunteer efforts to increasing economic opportunity for all. 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 Col. Celia Y. Bramble in recognition of her dedication to the work of Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn.

Celia Y. Bramble is currently an Associate Executive Director for Training and Organizational Development at Kings County Hospital Center. She began her career at Kings County Hospital in 1967 after migrating from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She moved up the ranks from Staff Nurse and Head Nurse to administrative positions through academic achievement, clinical competence and dedication.

In her current role, Celia has overall responsibility for planning, coordinating and developing educational programs for professional and support staff within the Central Brooklyn Family Health Network. This includes overseeing over 40 training initiatives managed by Community Health Partnership funds. One of her greatest rewards is to see support staff, who she has coached and mentored, become practical and registered nurses. One of her major achievements is the 100 percent success rate that she has had in preparing students to take the New York State Board for Nursing examination.

Ms. Bramble is also responsible for coordinating clinical experience for students in 14 programs of nursing. She serves on the advisory board of 7 of these programs. In her role as board member, she provides guidance to faculty to include the need for curriculum changes to support current trends in nursing, so that new graduates can successfully make the transition from student to practitioner. Some of her recommendations resulted in programs of nursing adding Cultural Diversity, Pain Management and Introduction to Nursing Management to the curriculum.

Ms. Bramble received her undergraduate degree from CW Post College, Long Island University; a Master of Arts in Teaching in Nursing and a Masters in Education from Columbia University. She also holds a Certification in Nursing Education and Staff Development from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Among her professional awards are the New York State Nurses Association Nursing Education Award and the Health and Hospitals Corporation Multicultural Award for developing programs to promote tolerance for a culturally diverse workforce.

Ms. Bramble's accomplishments extend far beyond her professional affiliations. In 1981, she was commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve. Over the years, her devotion to duty, clinical skills and leadership qualities elevated her to the rank of Colonel. Her distinguished military career included assignments in various military hospitals in peacetime and wartime. Her last assignment was Commander of the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Hamilton, New York, until she retired as a Colonel in April 2003. Her military honors include: The Legion of Merit award, the Army Commendation Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, numerous Certificates of Achievement and Letters of Commendation.

Mr. Speaker, Col. Celia Bramble has dedicated her life to providing quality healthcare to both civilians and military personnel. 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 Eva Cooper in recognition of her nursing services to the Brooklyn community.

Eva Cooper has worked at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital and Interfaith Medical Center for over 37 years. Eva is currently the Nurse Manager of four Ambulatory Care sites and the PCAP (Prenatal Care Assistance Program) Coordinator for the Medical Center. She began her career in health care as a Licensed Practical Nurse on a busy 40-bed surgical unit. Eva would always make every effort to give the highest level of patient care. On several occasions, when semi-private rooms were available some patients preferred to remain on the unit, because they were so pleased with the care they were given.

Upon receiving her diploma from the Brooklyn Jewish School of Nursing, Eva began working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a Staff Nurse. During her tenure on the unit she was promoted to Assistant Head Nurse in 1988 and to Manager in 1992. Eva was the Chairperson of the Baby Alumni Celebration for 3 years, which focused on the accomplishments of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) graduates. When the St. Johns Episcopal Hospital and Brooklyn Jewish Hospital merged in 1983, Eva organized the smooth transition of the

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Ife-S. Charles in recognition of her commitment to community empowerment.

Ife-S. Charles was born in Trinidad, West Indies and immigrated to the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York 30 plus years ago. She attended Holy Spirit Junior High School, Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene and later went on to earn a degree in Human Services. Ife currently resides in the community of Crown Heights with her daughter.

She is a New York State Certified Mediator specializing in Community, Family and Parent Teen Mediation. She is the Deputy Director at the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center (CHCMC) located on Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights. Her job at CHCMC gives her the opportunity to work with youth and families in her neighborhood. She works closely with the 71st and 77th Precinct Youth and Community Affairs Officers, where she conducts Conflict Resolution Workshops at Empowerment Programs offered by the precincts. She has trained youths in peer mediation and conflict resolution. She is the Director of the 77th Community Task Force which is an effort to enhance community and police relationships.

Ife subscribes to her own E3 philosophy: Enlight; Enrich and Effect. This is a philosophy that she uses in her work with the community and youth. Her attraction to community work is part of who she is which is why she enjoys serving as a motivational speaker at local churches and community centers. Ife can be seen speaking to the young women and men of the community where she gives them words of encouragement or directs them to organizations for their own self-improvement. On any

given day you can find Ife in her office with a group of young people talking about life issues and ways of dealing with such issues. For those not attending school, she works diligently at finding them placements in GED and/or job training programs. She further supports the youth in her community by attending open school meetings with teachers, and by enrolling some in karate school, often negotiating fees with the Sensei so that ``her children'', as she frequently calls them, will have a place to go and not get caught up in what the streets do not have to offer.

Ife credits her love for the work that she does to her Creator and her daughter Jahdai. She is also inspired by her son, Malchijah, who departed this life several years ago.

Mr. Speaker, Ife Charles has dedicated her life to the betterment of 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 Priscilla Maddox in recognition of her entrepreneurial accomplishments as well as her contribution to dietary and health sciences fields.

Priscilla Maddox is part owner, and co-founder of Kitchen for Hire, a commercial kitchen for caterers and others who do large volume food preparation. A unique concept, Kitchen for Hire has been established since September 2000 in Brooklyn, New York.

Priscilla began her career at Sydenham Hospital, New York, where she worked for 10 years as head of the Microbiology Department. She then moved on to the Marcus Garvey Nursing Home in Brooklyn where she served as Infection Control Coordinator for six years. In 1983, Priscilla headed the Isabella Geriatric Center in New York City as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. After retiring from the Center, Priscilla became self-employed and ran PMM Enterprises for six years. In 2001, Priscilla became an instructor at Medgar Evers College, where she presently conducts Continuing Education Classes, including Cooking for Diabetics.

A holder of many licenses and certificates, Priscilla possesses a Food Handler's License from the City of New York Department of Health, a Commercial Cooking and Catering Certificate, Better Process Control School, Cornell University Food Processing Extension; Nursing Home Administrator's License, New York State Department of Health; Health Care Risk Management, Institute of Medical Law/American Institute of Medical Law, Inc. which was approved by the State of Florida Department of Insurance.

Priscilla works with a number of community-based organizations. She is a member of the National Register of Who's Who 2004 and the Women's Chefs & Restaurateurs. She is also a member of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (CACCI); the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Community Board #8 in Brooklyn, NY; the Washington Avenue Merchants Association (WAMA); the Non-Profit Risk Management Institutes in Washington, DC; the Renaissance Health Care Network Auxiliary at Harlem Hospital. In addition, Priscilla works with the Isabella Nursing Home Corporation and the advisory board of Visions Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Priscilla has been at the forefront of many continuing education programs including those sponsored by American Association of Homes & Services of the Aging, NY and WIBO, Workshop in Business Opportunities. She recently received a citation at the 13th Luncheon and Awards Ceremony for ``Visions: Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired'' from Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz,

Priscilla is a graduate of Pace University. She received her Masters in Health Service Administration from the New School for Social Research in New York. She has also received additional education on Care for the Elderly in the Orient sponsored by the University of California in Los Angeles Gerontological Society of America.

Mr. Speaker, Priscilla Maddox has made several and varied contributions to her community including service to the elderly, business development, and sponsoring continuing education programs. 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 Lisa Davis in recognition of her commitment to public service and help of those in greatest need.

Lisa is the third of four children born to Blackwood and Eliza Davis. She is proud to have grown up in Crown Heights and is now a longtime resident of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

A graduate of Ohio University, with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy, Lisa sought employment with the New York City Housing Authority as a Youth Community Center Director upon her return to Brooklyn. After 4 years, she left the Authority to work as a case manager for the Bureau of Child Welfare. Shortly afterward, she became a New York State Parole Officer, assigned to a special unit named S.H.O.C.K. This program managed only parolees younger than 22 years old and convicted of a drug-related crime. After several years of providing her services to the city and State, she left the public sector for 7 years to assist with the management of the family business.

Five years ago, Lisa returned to the NYC Housing Authority as a Community Coordinator for Brooklyn South and quickly advanced to the position of Citywide Program Manager. She was soon promoted to Senior Program Manager.

As Senior Program Manager, she develops, implements, manages and evaluates youth and senior center programs throughout the borough. Lisa is the creator of NYC Housing Authority Kids Walk, which is approaching its third event year. She is putting forth a great deal of effort to connect health care services to the Brooklyn Housing Developments, Brookdale University Hospital, adolescent obesity program, Fit for Life; SUNY Downstate Hospital, Asthma Mobile Unit and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health.

Lisa has also committed herself to a number of volunteer activities. Currently, her highest priority is PowerPlay NYC Inc, which empowers young women through play.

Lisa's mantra of ``Not everyone thinks like me, and that's okay,'' has allowed her to have a successful professional life as well as a fulfilling personal life.

Mr. Speaker, Lisa Davis has dedicated virtually all her professional life to improving the lives of young adults and seniors in need. 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 Dr. Linda Brady in recognition of her commitment to the provision of healthcare services to the people of Brooklyn.

Dr. Linda Brady is a physician executive with extensive clinical and healthcare management experience. She was appointed President & CEO of Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in 1999, and has been associated with the hospital for 19 years. She previously served as the Hospital's Medical Director as well as the Director of the Department of Neurology & Psychiatry. Dr. Brady was the guiding force behind the development of the Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Unit, which has received considerable praise for the highly professional and compassionate care rendered in the treatment of older adults with psychiatric disorders.

Dr. Brady served as the Associate Medical Director of Psychiatric Emergency Services at Kings County Hospital from 1980 to 1993. A cum laude graduate of Barnard College, Dr. Brady received her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and completed her psychiatric residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx Municipal Hospital Center. She is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with added qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at SUNY Health Sciences Center of Brooklyn. Dr. Brady is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, the American College of Physician Executives, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Dr. Brady has received numerous awards for community service from various elected officials and Community Based Organizations, including the Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights, the Caribbean Women's Health Association, the Boy Scouts of America and the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She pledges that Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center will continue to forge ties to the culturally diverse community in which it is located and will remain a vital part of the healthcare delivery system in Brooklyn.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Linda Brady has dedicated her life to improving mental health services for the residents of Brooklyn. 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 health professional.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Sheila Pemberton in recognition of her contributions to her community and dedication to providing quality health care to all people.

As a young adult growing up in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it was always Sheila Pemberton's dream to pursue a career in nursing which would enable her to serve humanity. In her nursing career, which spanned over 40 years, Sheila has always advocated for her clients to receive quality health care. As a young nurse, Sheila joined a small, elite group of Public Health Nurses within the City of New York Department of Health.

As a Public Health Nurse, Sheila worked in various capacities in the Bedford Stuyvesant community. She was passionate about the quality of care provided to both adults and children. She worked in child health clinics, which covered a wide range of health problems and was truly an advocate for children. As a School Nurse, she worked tirelessly with children from elementary to high school in both public and parochial schools. During her tenure she interacted with students, parents and teachers to promote health in the community with emphasis on the family as a unit. She is a strong voice for the physically and mentally challenged and whenever there is a call for help, Sheila will answer it.

She is a lifelong member of Chi Eta Sorority, Theta Chi Chapter. From her inception in this sorority, Soror Pemberton, as she is called, has lived up to the motto ``Service for Humanity.'' She works diligently to carry out the goals of the sorority and always makes herself available to provide assistance in any capacity.

Sheila is an ardent member of her church and has served as co- chairperson of the health organization. These activities include organizing health fairs, visiting the sick, shut-ins, accompanying patients to the doctor and providing childcare on occasions for parents.

She has always advocated for the helpless, less fortunate and at present, she advocates for a physically challenged individual who lives in a special residence. She visits him on a regular basis and attends meetings on his behalf.

Ms. Pemberton has been recognized with many awards for her extensive and varied experiences, including: certificates of achievement and recognition from the NYC Department of Health for 25-30 years of service; a Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor, City of New York; the Bureau of School Children and Adolescents for Contributions to the Bureau; District 21 Board of Education for Staff Development; and for participating in the Developmental/Delayed and Disability in Children program in New York City. Many sorority honors have also been bestowed on Sheila including: The Marguerite Creth Jackson Sisterhood Award for Service for Humanity of Chi Eta Phi Sorority; for Outstanding Co- chairperson of the Hospitality Committee of Chi Eta Phi Sorority in 1990; and for serving as Dean of Pledge Chi Chapter June 1992 to June 1997.

Mr. Speaker, Sheila Pemberton has dedicated her life to providing quality health care 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 Henna White in recognition of her work to heal divisions and solve problems within her community and among families in Brooklyn.

Henna attained national recognition for her work in inter-group relations, which began in the wake of the Crown Heights disturbances in 1991. She is a South African who grew up during the turbulent years of apartheid and was instrumental in forming ``Mothers to Mothers,'' a dialogue group composed of Jewish and African-American women who meet regularly to learn about and from each other. She has received a number of awards for her inter-group activities and she continues to work with communities and groups to help foster harmony.

Henna has also been at the forefront of issues dealing with domestic violence. She is a well-known speaker on the topics of domestic violence and women's issues and has organized conferences, forums and educators' workshops. She created Brairot, a batterer's intervention and counseling group for Orthodox Jewish males as well as a sex offenders program designed to meet the specific religious and cultural needs of sexual offenders. She has been the guiding force in helping communities break through the denial and realize the tragic effect of domestic violence on families.

After reading about the tragedies of newborn babies being left in dumpsters, Henna created a program called Baby Safe Haven. Baby Safe Haven gives new mothers the opportunity to anonymously leave a newborn at a safe place such as a hospital or a firehouse, keeping the baby safe and giving the mother immunity from prosecution.

Approximately 7 years ago in the aftermath of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination and in response to the rhetoric that divided the Jewish people, Henna founded the Jewish Women's Dialogue under the auspices of the American Jewish Committee. The Dialogue is a group of approximately 30 women from all walks of life with differing and opposing religious views who have learned to listen and talk to each other. The women have created a foundation of trust based on shared beliefs about their differences while maintaining a level of understanding and respect for each other. This organization is now being replicated throughout the New York Jewish community as well as in Boston and Washington.

In her professional life, Henna works for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office as Community Liaison for District Attorney Hynes. She serves as the Chairman of the Board of Kingsbrook Hospital. She is the first woman to chair the Board of Directors and has been spearheading many programs that educate women when it comes to health related issues.

Her work with youth and families is recognized throughout New York, especially in the areas of teens at-risk and drug addiction. Henna is also the President of the Jewish Community Council of Canarsie and a board member of the American Jewish Committee. Henna is a Chassidic Lubavitch woman born in South Africa who now resides in Canarsie, Brooklyn with her husband, Asher, and their four children.

Mr. Speaker, Henna White has helped solve some of the most difficult and private issues facing families across Brooklyn. 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 today to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's courageous decision in Brown vs. the Board of Education.

I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the team of lawyers from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, led by Thurgood Marshall who had the courage to pursue this case. I want to thank the legal scholars and strategists at Howard University School of Law, led by Charles Hamilton Houston, who had the intellect to map out this winning strategy. I want to thank the sociologists and psychologists, led by Kenneth and Mamie Clark who undertook the challenge of gathering evidence of the harm done to African American children when society branded them with a mark of inferiority. And I want to thank the parents and students who risked homes, livelihoods, and underwent physical threats and harassment to be a part of this lawsuit. Fifty years after Brown, this country owes a debt of gratitude to each of these people who played a part in bringing about the end of legal segregation based on race. In the face of violence, intimidation and governmental resistance, they pressed forward to move this country closer to the realization of its stated creed--freedom, equality and justice for all.

Yet 50 years later, we know that the work they started is not finished. We must remember that their goal was not only to end legal segregation of the public schools, but to assure that a quality public education is available for all children. We are still involved in that struggle. On this anniversary of Brown, many will point to the fact that many schools are still segregated and are rapidly re-segregating. I join them in these concerns.

As people talk about the Brown decision, many will talk about the meaning of the decision and others will talk about the promise the decision represented. The theoretical underpinning of Brown was that public schools must be supported adequately. The lawyers in Brown wanted to dismantle segregation for many worthwhile reasons. But they also wanted to emphasize that as practiced, separate was inherently unequal. While we have legally abolished the separateness required before Brown, we have not yet addressed the problem of equality of funding.

We are still operating state-based educational systems in which schools attended by racial minorities receive less money that those located in primarily white areas. This inequality in funding must be abolished to complete the mission of Brown. We must focus on the perpetual under-funding of inner-city schools. We must recognized that the achievement gap is inextricably linked to the economic gap. Low- performing schools are almost always situated in communities that are pockets of poverty. We must realize the importance of teacher and administration accountability but not forget that Congressional accountability requires that we make school funding a priority. Congress must assure that there is adequate money for school construction to reduce class size and purchase educational materials. We must ensure that teachers are paid for the professional and important job that they do. And finally, we must provide funding which allows local communities to build a supportive infrastructure that values the role of education in the community.

To me, the message of the Brown decision was simple--education is a vehicle of upward mobility. If we have heard Brown's message, we must fulfill its promise--that every child can succeed, if given the opportunity of a quality public education. We still have not fulfilled the promise. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I suggest that we in this House dedicate ourselves to hear the message of Brown and fulfill its promise by working to provide the opportunity for a quality public education for all of America's children.