Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Constance V. Hay-Alleyne.

Constance has lived life as a goal oriented and knowledgeable Registered Nurse with ambitious and humanitarian social motivations. Constance is well known in the Panamanian and Caribbean communities. Her delightful intellectual curiosity has served her professional growth well. She holds a BSN and MSN degrees from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York and Georgetown University, in Washington D.C., respectively. She has distinguished herself as a competent Nurse Manager and Administrator for over three decades, in the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Washington D.C areas. In 1981, she joined the United States Army Nurses Corps, served as a Captain, active duty and in reserve.

At home, Constance has raised her four children to love and respect everyone especially their elders. She insufflated in them positive outlooks in life and motivation to do ``as much as they can'' with care and dignity. It could not be otherwise since this has been an inheritance from her parents: John who died at the age of 114 and Imogene, at age 82. Faithful to that motto, she has been involved in many other activities such as a mediator at the Fafe Horizon Brooklyn Mediation Center, as a Board Member of the Community Board 5 and as the Chair for Education and Training for Tashia's Life, a lupus foundation.

She was miraculously rescued from the September 11, 2001 disaster at WTI. This encounter made her redefine her mission on earth, realizing that God had saved her life for some special purpose. She serves the Lord at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where she functions as a Lay Ecinencial Minister, as well as a Vestry.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Hay-Alleyne has received numerous awards and recognitions including: being featured in ``Who's Who?'' in Nursing in Cambridge.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Gloria Cooke, President of the AARP National Organization and community activist.

Gloria Cooke was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Gloria attended Franklin K. Lane High School, and completed her education at Kingsborough College where she majored in computer technology.

Ms. Cooke attends Mt. Sion Baptist Church faithfully, under the direction of Pastor Dan Craig.

Gloria was a care giver for her mother and brother before they expired.

Gloria's love of her life is her only son Charles.

Ms. Cooke entered into the work force and became a leader in the banking industry for a period of 36 years. She worked for Bankers Trust for 25 years, and Chase Manhattan. She also is a member of Penn Wortman Senior Center. Gloria is a community activist and enjoys volunteering to help her community, neighbors and friends to help them in anyway she can.

Ms. Cooke is the President of the AARP National Organization; she was given the position in the AARP Chapter which was founded by Director of Penn Wortman and Pink Senior Center Liz Sanders. The AARP Chapter services the East New York community.

Her favorite hobby is travelling to the Caribbean Islands at least three times a year which inspired her to become a travel agent.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Barbara Nicole Howard, a Health Department Representative and distinguished public servant.

Barbara Howard is a Health Department Representative for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Public Health Detailing Program. The Public Health Detailing Program works with primary health care providers to improve patient care around key public health challenges in the areas of NYC with healthcare disparities. Ms. Howard provides medical providers with clinical tools and patient education materials via one-on-one relationships to improve health outcomes in the community.

Barbara Nicole Howard was born in the Bronx, New York to Henry and Barbara Howard. The family moved to Staten Island shortly thereafter due to the need for a larger apartment and the 1970's housing shortage. Through the years, she volunteered at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, HIV/AIDS programs, special needs children's organizations, and hospitals; developing a heart for servicing the community.

Ms. Howard obtained a Bachelor's of Art Degree in Sociology and a minor in Urban Affairs from Hunter College. After completing her studies, she worked in Brooklyn for the Legal Aid Society as a Forensic Social Work Assistant finding alternatives to incarceration for clients. She was then afforded the opportunity to work with the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation's Discharge Planning Program at Riker's Island for the mentally ill population as a Discharge Planner. She also had several promotions and worked as Supervisor of Discharge Planning / Community Liason. Ms. Howard enrolled in Baruch College's Executive Master of Public Administration program. Afterwards, Ms. Howard recommitted to public service as Provider Liason for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Early Intervention Program. After three years with the Early Intervention Program, Ms. Howard devoted herself to public health and began to work with the Public Health Detailing Program.

Although, she continues to live in Staten Island, Ms. Howard has made Brooklyn her second home. She works, worships, and has many friends within Brooklyn. Ms. Howard is currently an active member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in downtown Brooklyn.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Vanessa Hughes.

Vanessa Hughes was born August 17, 1959 to Rose and Leonard Reid Sr. She is the middle of five children and has two surviving brothers, Jeffrey and Bruce, one sister Shelissa, and a deceased brother Leonard Jr. Ms. Hughes attended neighboring schools, P.S. 260 and JHS 211. She has worked to support her community throughout her life. Known for her energy and enthusiasm, Ms. Hughes is the founder of the Community Based Operations for All Neighborhoods, a community civic group whose motto is ``Building Better Communities One Block at a Time.''

The need for community, social, recreational and education programs was the structure for the implementation of C.B.O.F.A.N. A strong advocate of children oriented activities and programs, Ms. Hughes implemented an ``Annual Mardi Gras Health and Awareness'' event which brought local programs such as the public library, Office of Environmental Management and Parks Department to the community to explain the services they offer.

As the current Grievance Committee Chairperson of the Brueuklen Tenant Association, Ms. Hughes acts as a liaison between the community residents and the management of the Breukelen Housing Development by keeping abreast of the needs of the community and forwarding them to the proper people to have them resolved.

As a community activist, Ms. Hughes can be found working with the Breukelen Community Head Start Program, Breukelen Community Center, elected officials, neighborhood businesses and her C.B.O.F.A.N. to ensure that the needs of her community are met for the betterment of the community.

Please join me Madam Speaker in recognizing Vanessa Hughes' passion for public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Leora Keith.

Mrs. Leora Keith is a widow and mother of four biological daughters. She is the adoptive mother of two and a past foster mother. She is a retired early childhood educator who served thirty seven years with the New York City Board of Education. Mrs. Keith encouraged countless children and their families, as she guided them towards successful careers.

Mrs. Keith has been a member of the Upper Room Full Gospel Baptist Church for more than thirty years, where she has served on the Usher Board, as church clerk, worked with the youth and sings in the Senior Choir. Through her work with her congregation, she has inspired many with her commitment to family, community and church.

Mrs. Keith is affiliated with the Order of Eastern Star under the Star of Bethlehem Grand Chapter where she held the titles of Matron and a Deputy Grand Matron. She is a lifelong member of the National Council of Negro Women Inc., where she served as Vice President of the Brooklyn section. A member of the Brooklyn Reading Association, The New York Alliance of Black School Educators, Board member of the Nascent Victorian Place Cultural Center, which is a non-profit multi-cultural center, dedicated to building links between communities. She is currently President of Tompkins Houses Resident Association Inc., where she partners with the Fresh Air

Fund and Literacy Teen Reading partner program. Mrs. Keith is also a member of the Cabs Home Attendants Service Inc., and Continuous Quality Improvement committee.

Leora Keith received a Bachelor Degree in Professional Studies from Pace University's Manhattan campus with a concentration in reading. She has master credits from Touro Graduate School of Education and Psychology in Early Childhood and Special Education.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the extraordinary level of passion and commitment towards the betterment of our youth that Leora Keith has given us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Carmen Lourdes Martinez, Director of the Community Action Center in the Office of the New York City Comptroller.

Carmen was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; she immigrated to Brooklyn, New York at the age of eight and is a product of the New York City public school system. She is a graduate of the City University of New York, having obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Medgar Evers College and continued her graduate studies in Public Administration at Brooklyn College.

Carmen is currently Director of the Community Action Center in the Office of New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. Since joining the office on May 18, 1992, Carmen has rendered service to over 87,000 constituents, run the Comptroller's Foreclosure Intervention Hotline, and served as Management Co-Chair of the Comptroller's Quality of Work Life, Employees Recognition Committee.

Carmen's many personal awards and recognitions include: Aegis Society, Inc. The Federation of African-American Civil Service Organizations, Inc. Merit Award; National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Distinguished Alumni Award; Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. 21st Century Visionary Award; Brooklyn Borough President Outstanding Achievement Award; Bedford Stuyvesant Community Legal Services Corporation Outreach Self- Help Program Valedictorian and Outstanding Scholarship Award.

Outside of work, Carmen volunteers her time to grassroots activities designed to advance the community. She is a Charter Member and a member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Metropolis Lions Club; a Charter Member and former member of the Board of Directors of the Central Brooklyn Federal Credit Union; Former Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Brooklyn Partnership; participant in the New York City Department of Education's Kids and the Power of Work Program and volunteers as a judge for the New York City Working in Support of Education, Quality of Life Program. Recently Carmen completed her third term as President of the Alumni Association of Medgar Evers College.

Carmen reared three children as a single mother, Grace M. Benjamin, Harry ``Jamie'' Martinez-Benjamin and Xiomara L. Maloney and is the proud grandmother of three.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rosemarie Armstead-Lowery, educator and community activist.

Rosemarie Armstead-Lowery has always been a child of her community. Community has shielded her, nurtured her, and allowed her the freedom to be herself in a world where the expectations of others often times limit one's horizon. The major influences of her life have been family and Church and they, in that order, are responsible for much of who she has become. For the last sixty of her seventy years, she has found her niche in serving that community that has nurtured her. She has been teaching the youngsters of her community for almost fifty years. Rosemarie has been a Day Care director at the Horace E. Greene Day Care Center in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn at a time of transition for child care. She implemented a change in school-age programming which made her center one of the model programs for city wide school-age programs.

After her directorship in daycare, Ms. Lowery returned to the classroom in the public school where she spent the next 12 years nurturing the students in her care at P. 335 in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. She considered her job to be a facilitator, one who made learning both possible and enjoyable. It was her responsibility to show youngsters that learning was fun and that they could soar beyond their wildest dreams if they were willing to put forth the effort. Rosemarie was judged a nonconformist by some of her peers because of her unorthodox methods for reaching her students, but in the end the success of her students was her vindication.

In 1988, Ms. Lowery decided to embark on a venture of her own and opened The Learning Center of Bedford Stuyvesant in a brownstone in Bedford Stuyvesant. The independent school was in response to the desire of parents for an alternative to the public school. The individualization of the learning process for each student was its strength. The program was based on an eleven month curriculum where travel was an important component. The students were encouraged to study and become part of the culture they visited. They have traveled to Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Virginia and around the local tri-state area. Unfortunately, the Learning Center closed at the end of its twentieth year because Ms. Lowery has turned yet another page.

In the summer of 2007, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens created a new tri-Church configuration by combining the parishes of Holy Rosary, our Lady of Victory, and St. Peter Claver into a new tri- church Parish called St. Martin de Porres. Ms Lowery was hired as the Temporalities Manager. Her function is to act as a business manager of the newly formed Parish. She is currently responsible for the fiscal and temporal care of the Parish and its facilities. Times change, and circumstances along with them, but the opportunity to meet life head-on continues to present itself each day and for this she is eternally grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ruth Sibler, a dedicated public servant for 26 years.

Ruth Sibler is a volunteer at Public School 273 in New York City. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived in Brooklyn for seventy- three years.

Ms. Sibler has worked diligently for the Teamster's Union for the 26 years prior to her retirement, and death of her husband, Mr. Sibler. Following her retirement, Ms. Sibler volunteered with P.S. 273 to assist in the library.

Ms. Sibler considers volunteering in school the ``love of her life'', along with her children and grand-children, and brings a constant youthful insightfulness to her volunteer work.

Madam Speaker, Please join me in recognizing Ruth Sibler for her time and dedication to public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Zenobia White.

Zenobia always knew that after high school she wanted to do something meaningful. After successfully completing four years at Beach Channel High School in Far Rockaway, New York with honors, she enlisted with the United States Army as an Army Supply Specialist and served four years in Germany.

After leaving the Army, Zenobia worked for the New York City Corrections Department working in prison complexes across the city including Riker's Island, Brooklyn's Men's House of Detention and Kings County Hospital's prison ward.

Zenobia White married James White and the couple had two children, Daryl and Jameha White.

Ms. White continued to work for New York City with the Health and Hospital Corporation and the Metro Plus Health Plan. In this position she enrolled over two hundred families for the East New York D&TC. As a recognized community activist, she joined the community board of the East New York D&TC, where she remains active.

Ms. White now works as a Medicare sales representative for the Emblem health plan, where working for senior citizens has become one of her greatest joys.

Zenobia White holds the position of Vice President for Sister Sister In-law, a women's group which assists and mentors young women in their communities.

Please join me, Madam Speaker, in recognizing Ms. White's proven record in service to her community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Awilda Rosario, a woman committed to the dignified care of the aging in her community.

Awilda Rosario was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on December 3, 1951. She grew up with her mother, step-father and three sisters. Early on she was irresistibly attracted to reading and learning about the world and how people live. During her high school years, inspired by her Spanish Literature teachers, she discovered her love for human studies. After graduating from high school in the town of Loiza, she attended the University of Puerto Rico where she completed a Bachelors degree in Spanish Literature with a minor in Sociology.

After teaching Spanish Literature at the high school level, Ms. Rosario decided to immigrate to New York, invited by one of her cousins who already lived there. Once in New York, she started to connect with her ex-classmates and friends who helped her land her first job. Because there are no accidents, that first job was as a Caseworker at Diana Jones Senior Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her position afforded her the opportunity to work with community groups to advocate on behalf of the elderly.

At that moment, just emerging from the 70's, the New York City Department for the Aging was not as yet the developed and diverse agency that it is today. The needs of the minority elderly, especially those unable to understand the complexity of the benefits and entitlement programs went mostly unmet. Many minority elderly individuals simply did not apply for benefit programs because they did not know they existed. Even if they knew, they didn't know how to apply for them. For this reason, she joined forces with Mr. Ed Mendez- Santiago, who would later be appointed the Commissioner for the New York City Department for the Aging. The organization he founded, the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-Raices, became a forerunner for advocacy and expansion of services that made benefits and entitlement programs accessible to the minority elderly. She held the position of Chairperson of the Board for a good number of years.

After a few years of working as a caseworker, Ms. Rosario was appointed as the Director of the North Brooklyn meals-on-wheels program, also funded by the Department for the Aging and sponsored by Wartburg Lutheran Home for the Aging. During that time Ms. Rosario became very active with the community and served as a member of the Board of Directors of several organizations including the New York State Office for the Aging, Vision for the Blind, East New York Interagency Council and the Brownsville-Ocean Hill Interagency Council.

After completing her Masters in Social Work and Administration at Hunter College, Wartburg Lutheran offered her the position of Director of Adult Day Health Care program which she held until several years ago. After 21 years with Wartburg, Ms. Rosario came to work with Brooklyn United Methodist Church Home to serve as Director of their Adult Day Care Program. As always, she continues to enjoy her work with the elderly and with those whose needs can be met by the services offered by this program. She is grateful to Brooklyn United Methodist for the opportunity to continue working with the community and doing what she likes.

Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise in support of S. 383, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act of 2009.

It has been over 5 months since Congress approved the $700 billion rescue plan for the financial industry. During this time, the oversight committee has documented the accountability and transparency shortcomings of the program. I have asked before and I will ask again:

What did the American people get or what can they expect to get from the $700 billion rescue plan?

It is my goal to make sure that the taxpayers receive meaningful answers to these questions to make certain that the money is spent wisely and to ensure that waste, fraud and mismanagement is avoided. I am pleased to support this legislation because I have no doubt that such oversight of the TARP program will greatly benefit from these measures to strengthen the TARP Special Inspector General.

As Special Inspector General Barofsky told our Domestic Policy Subcommittee earlier this month, more than $300 billion has already been expended. The spending program is up and running, but the office designed to oversee this spending has not yet been provided with all of the authority it needs to do this job effectively. These are his words.

We should not wait a moment longer. S. 383 provides this authority. It allows the SIGTARP to conduct oversight over all aspects of the TARP program. It also grants the SIGTARP the temporary hiring authority needed to quickly put in place the staff that the IG needs to conduct critical audits of the program. Under normal circumstances, I would not advocate any deviation from the normal civil service hiring process. I would say that is what we should follow, but these are anything but normal circumstances. These critical audits and investigation positions should be filled right away. I should note that, even with its current modest staff, the SIGTARP has demonstrated its effectiveness in overseeing the TARP program.

Last month, I wrote to Treasury Secretary Geithner, urging him to adopt the recommendations made by Mr. Barofsky in his initial report to Congress. I asked that all TARP agreements include language requiring funding recipients to provide information to the SIGTARP and other inspectors general to establish internal controls and to clarify compliance. Importantly, S. 383 would require the Treasury Secretary to report back to Congress if any recommendations made by the SIGTARP are not adopted.

I look forward to working together with Mr. Barofsky and with Secretary Geithner to ensure transparency in the TARP program. I believe this legislation is an important step in restoring our economy. It will provide greater accountability to the taxpayers who are funding the TARP program, and I urge its adoption.

Let me just say that I want to thank all who have worked on this because I think this is legislation that is very, very important, and I think this is legislation that is going to help us eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lorna Khan.

Lorna Khan was born in Guyana in South America. She had her elementary and secondary school training in Guyana and migrated to the United States to pursue college

education in January of 1973. She attended Andrews University in Berrien Springs Michigan where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry in June of 1977. After graduation she attended New York University in September of 1977 to study Public Health with a focus on nutrition and alcoholism as well as international health. During her two years at New York University, she traveled to the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, West Indies to study their health care system. During her time as a student she worked at Long Island College Hospital Alcoholism center and graduated with her Masters degree in June 1979.

In December 1980, she joined the staff at the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital as data manager for the Oncology department. She supported the Oncologists and Hematologists in their investigative trials of experimental drugs in the hopes of finding a cure for cancer. In 1982 she applied for and was hired as a data coordinator for cancer research at the Montefiore Medical Center. The team of doctors, pharmacists, drug company representatives joined with researchers to look closely at experimental drugs and trying to find a cure for many cancers such as lung, ovarian, breast, cervical, lymphomas and leukemia to name a few.

In October 1984 she joined the Department of Health as a Health Coordinator in Middle School 35 in Brooklyn. Her focus was on adolescent health issues in particular, pregnancy prevention, nutrition education, health referrals and management and suicide prevention. She received training in AIDS education and worked closely with teachers to promote healthy living by junior high school students. After feeling the need to make a greater impact on the education of the young, she began a career with the Department of Education in 1987 as an elementary school teacher at PS 250 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After 2 years she accepted a call to return to middle school this time as a mathematics teacher at IS 33, Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. For the next 13 years she worked as a mathematics teacher, academic intervention teacher and staff developer.

In 2002 she became the Assistant Principal for mathematics at MS 88 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The school had just been identified as a SURR school (School Under Registration Review) for below performance literacy and mathematics. She worked with three other Assistant Principals to change the culture of the school and support high expectations for teaching and learning. In the fall of 2004 the school had improved students' performance in both literacy and mathematics and was removed from the SURR list. This was celebrated in a press release done by the Mayor and Chancellor at the school. In February of 2005 she was recruited to be the Principal for the Samuel C. Barnes Elementary School, PS 54. After being in middle school for most of her career, she was hesitant to take on the responsibility as Principal for an elementary school. However, with much prayer and thoughtfulness she accepted the challenge and has been working to bring change to her community. Her goal is to promote an environment where everyone is valued and respected.

It has been a fulfilling time for her as a teacher and administrator and she will continue to do her best to support high levels of teaching and learning for students at this level.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Genisus Thompson. Genisus, a native of Greenville, North Carolina, has lived in the East New York community for the past 20 years. Married to the late Dwight Thompson, the love of her life is her son, Anthony. Genisus graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, attended Kingsborough Community college and then proceeded to study Labor Law at Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Institute.

As an East New York resident, she has devoted a great deal of her time to helping the community to be a better place to live. For example, Genisus has been a member of the 75th Precinct Community Council since 1980 where her efforts and devotion has been instrumental in uplifting her community. Genisus received an award from the 75th Precinct Community Council for outstanding service and dedication. She attended and graduated from the Citizens Police Academy in June of 2007.

Genisus was employed at the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center for 32 years as Chief Switchboard Operator, she was also a shop delegate for Local 1199, 114 division, and retired in June, 2006. In addition to these daily responsibilities, she is an active member of Liberty Baptist Church. Genisus's civic activism includes membership in the Milford Street Block Association and member of the North Brooklyn Democratic Party.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rose Carter, a strong upbeat presence in the Brooklyn community.

Rose Carter is a cheerleader. She has strong family values and from an early age demonstrated a deep commitment to her community.

Rose jump-started her community service at The Midwood Development Corporation, Brooklyn, New York, working as a youth coordinator. She took her job seriously and developed and implemented many multicultural programs. She also spearheaded workshops that highlighted self awareness, good citizenship, tolerance and volunteerism.

While at Midwood, she expanded her learning by taking advantage of an opportunity to work as a merchant liaison. In this role, she utilized the relationships which she had cultivated to provide resources for an intergenerational art show; she created the show in an attempt to bridge the gap between the young and the elderly.

Currently Rose Carter works at PS 260 Breuckelen School. There she is known for her hallway presence and commitment to motivating the school community. Rose Carter's everyday efforts are focused on rallying everyone she comes in contact with to have a good day. As the parent coordinator she is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the school population and their families. Rose Carter is very passionate about her work and gives beyond the required responsibilities of the job.

During the Hurricane Katrina disaster, Rose Carter was instrumental in helping victims who relocated to New York and had children enrolled in the school. She facilitated a connection of a Moroccan couple that spoke very little English with a Pakistani group that spoke their native language. This is just one example of her dynamism and devotion.

Rose seeks out civic minded people like herself and she inspires people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds to seek and celebrate excellence.

She is a mother, motivator and a consummate optimist.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Pamela Tate- McMullen a Parent Coordinator in the Department of Education.

Mrs. Pamela Tate-McMullen was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she presently resides with her husband, John and son Justin.

Mrs. Tate-McMullen is a Parent Coordinator in the Department of Education, serving at Bedford Academy High School in Brooklyn, New York. Since the inception of the position of Parent Coordinator (2003), Pamela has served in various capacities working both with the founding leader of Bedford Academy, Mr. George Leonard, and too with the present leadership of Mr. Adofo Muhammad. Her duties include, but are not limited to: (1) increasing parent involvement in the school by working closely with school-wide, parent and community organizations, (2) convening regular parent meetings and events around topics of key concerns to parents and other stakeholders, and (3) maintaining ongoing contact with community organizations that are involved with providing services to the schools' educational program such as the Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA, media contacts and key members of the public who are also interested in the ongoing success of Bedford Academy High School.

Mrs. Tate-McMullen and her family are proud members of Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, where Pamela serves on the Hospitality Team. One of Pamela's favorite pastimes is singing with the renowned 50's group, the Bobbettes, where she has traveled both locally and internationally.

A vibrant, creative member of the Bedford Academy/Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA team, Pamela has consistently contributed to a congenial relationship between Bedford Academy High School and the governing members and staff of the Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA.