Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I was distressed to learn that Dr. Gurcharan Singh, a Sikh scholar from Long lsland, was killed March 31 in a hit-and-run traffic accident. Professor Singh was on his way to the Gurdwara (the Sikh place of worship) at the time. The driver has not yet been found.

Professor Singh was a professor at Marymount Manhattan College and a leader In the Sikh community in New York. He was a father and grandfather. According to WNBC-TV, he was ``a counselor to New York's Sikh community and a philanthropist devoted to bringing people of different faiths and nationalities together.'' He was also an activist in support of Sikh freedom, serving as an advisor to the Council of Khalistan, which leads the effort to free the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, from Indian occupation. In that capacity, he would accompany the Council's President, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, when he would go to the U.N. Human Rights Commission.

Prior to teaching at Marymount, Dr. Singh had been a professor at Columbia University. He taught political science and international studies.

The Council of Khalistan issued a press release about Dr. Singh's passing. It was also reported on WNBC Channel 4 in New York, on Yahoo News, on several Sikh and South Asian news outlets, and around the Internet.

On behalf of all my colleagues, I wish to extend the sympathies of the U.S. Congress to Dr. Singh's family, friends, and students. I'm sure that everyone joins me in this. I know that he will leave a void that will be very difficult to fill.

Madam Speaker, the best tribute we could pay to Dr. Singh is to continue his work, as Dr. Aulakh points out. This Congress can help by stopping aid to India and trade with that country until all people there enjoy human rights and by going on record in support of self- determination for Dr. Singh's Sikh Nation and for the Nagas, Kashmiris, and all the people seeking freedom in India. Self-determination is the essence of democracy.

Plainview Scholar, Leader Mourned After Hit-And-Run Death

Gurcharan Singh, 77, Taught at Columbia, Marymount Manhattan College

Plainview, N.Y.--A family and a community were mourning

Saturday night the death of beloved professor and role model

killed by a hit-and-run driver on Long Island, NewsChannel

4's Aimee Nuzzo reported.

Gurcharan Singh, 77, a scholar and a professor, was also a

counselor to New York's Sikh community and a philanthropist

devoted to bringing people of different faiths and

nationalities together, according to family and friends.

``He is the gem of our community,'' said friend Paul

Kandhari. ``If there was a family problem, he'll be there. If

the father and son have a problem, he'll be there.''

The Plainview father of three and grandfather was struck

and killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking from his

home to church Friday night.

Dr. Singh was crossing Old Country Road in Plainview just

after 8 p.m. headed for the Sikh temple, when a red or maroon

car traveling westbound ran a red light, struck him and kept

going, police told Nuzzo.

Singh was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center

with multiple fractures and head trauma, but he did not

survive.

``My father was a very selfless man who served his

community and society with all his heart, and we'd really

love any assistance in finding the individual who did this,''

said Surinder Singh, the victim's son.

Anyone with information about the mishap was asked to call

Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.

Once a professor at Columbia University, Singh taught

political science and international studies at Marymount

Manhattan College for more than three decades and continued

to teach part-time, Nuzzo said.

A statement from Marymount Manhattan College said the

``community is deeply saddened by the news of Professor

Singh's death. He served as a devoted teacher at the college

for many years, and his loss will be felt by all of our

faculty, staff, students and alumni. Our thoughts are with

his family during this difficult time.'' Dr. Singh's friends

said they have no doubt the selfless humanitarian would have

forgiven the hit-and-run driver who took his life. They said

they hoped that would help whoever is responsible to come

forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Reverend Dr. M. Jwahir Brathwaite. Dr. Brathwaite is a graduate of the Howard University School of Business and Public Administration, the Howard University Graduate School of Divinity, and the United Theological Seminary. She has also received educational certification from the University of Dayton.

Dr. Brathwaite serves the community as an associate pastor at the Stuyvesant-Heights Christian Church in Brooklyn, New York. Ordained at the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in 1997, Dr. Brathwaite is a Professor of Religious Studies and Holistic Health and Wellness at the College of New Rochelle's School of New Resources at both the Brooklyn and Harlem Campuses.

Dr. Brathwaite has been a fitness-professional for more than 25 years. She has worked with the YMCA in Brooklyn, New York, Washington, DC, and Memphis, Tennessee. She presently serves her community through the YMCA Bedford-Stuyvesant Branch.

In addition to teaching for the College of New Rochelle, Dr. Brathwaite has taught fitness health and wellness for Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, Shelby State Community College, and the University of Memphis in Tennessee. Dr. Brathwaite has trained International Dance and Exercise Association instructors and several others who have gone on to teach at places such as: the New York State Conservatory Police, colleges and universities, family fitness ministries, and numerous other fitness facilities.

Dr. Brathwaite is the president and founder of Family Fitness Ministries, a ministry focusing on fitness and wellness for churches and their communities. Dr. Brathwaite's training roster includes: Author Zora Neal Hurston; the internationally acclaimed singing group Sweet Honey in the Rock; late film, stage, and television actress Rosland Cash; and a host of Fortune 500 Company professionals.

A Christian broadcaster for more than 20 years, Dr. Brathwaite has carried the healing message of God throughout the community through public speaking and outreach. The world of Christian Broadcasting afforded her the opportunity to work with the National Association of Broadcasters' number one religious radio organization in the country, Salem Communications Corp. She also worked with A&M Records where she represented such gospel recording artists as: Richard Smallwood; AI Green; the Clark Sisters; Reverend Shirley Caesar; Rosie Grier; and Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Dr. Brathwaite has been recognized numerous times for her community involvement and leadership. She has received awards from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., the Ford Foundation, Outstanding Women of America, John Burroughs Elementary School, and the International Who's Who of Professional Business Women just to name a few.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize this pillar of our community the Reverend Dr. M. Jwahir Brathwaite for all that she has accomplished.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Reverend Dr. M. Jwahir Brathwaite.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, constituent and all around great guy, Lt. Colonel John Mulzac. Colonel Mulzac, or Daddy John as he is affectionately called, is an original Tuskegee Airman. He is an original member of the very first group of African-American World War II fighter pilots of the ``99th Pursuit Squadron,'' later incorporated into the ``332nd Fighter Group'' and finally the ``477th Bomber Group.''

After fighting in World War II, Daddy John went on to fly in the Korean War and later the Vietnam War. He was then a member of the Air Force Reserve and then the New York State Air National Guard. Overall, Daddy John has logged more than 15,000 flying hours for the United States Air Force serving from 1942 to 1983. In addition to his service with the U.S. Air Force, Daddy John worked for 20 years as a New York City firefighter. His son Robert Mulzac is continuing the family legacy and is currently a Lieutenant in New York City's Fire Department.

In 1970, Daddy John left the New York City Fire Department and became a member of the First Group of U.S. Sky Marshals Flying World with several airlines including TWA. He continued his career as a Sky Marshal through 1972 training other Sky Marshals in Washington, DC.

Following 21 years of service as a United States Customs Inspector for New York Kennedy Airport's Area Inspection and Control Division, Daddy John retired.

Born on October 11, 1923 in Baltimore, Maryland, Daddy John spent his childhood in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where he now resides with his wife of 61 years, Beatrice. They have been blessed with 8 children, 24 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. It was his wife Beatrice who pinned on Daddy John's pilots wings upon his graduation from Tuskegee Institute in 1944.

Daddy John now spends most of his time in real estate and on the computer emailing his 6 grandchildren, who are enrolled in colleges throughout the country.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Lt. Colonel John Mulzac for his years of service and his invaluable contributions to our country. He is a true leader among men.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a remarkable man, Lt. Colonel John Mulzac.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Olanike T. Alabi, who is the proud daughter of immigrants who came to the United States several decades ago. She is a product of the New York City Public School system, graduating from Midwood High School. She also attended Brooklyn College's prominent Medical Science Institute. She later received her bachelor of arts degree from Temple University, where she carried a double major and a minor. In 1999, she was accepted to the prestigious University of London in Great Britain, where she pursued a master of arts degree.

Olanike Alabi is currently employed by Local 1199 of the SEIU United Healthcare Workers East as an assistant to the president. There, she also participates in a voluntary voter-registration program as well as political campaign events.

Ms. Alabi has received certificates and awards from such organizations as the Family and Support Resources Group; the Training and Employment Council (TEC) Brooklyn; the Access Fund, an organization dedicated to providing scholarships for students attending institutions of higher learning; a Great Force Partner Award from former Congressman Major Owens; a Woman of the Year Award from State Senator John Sampson; and I have presented Ms. Alabi with a Community Service Award for her outstanding work in the community.

Additionally, she has established herself as a fighter for justice. In June of 2003, after being fired from her job as the District Manager for CB No. 2, she filed an Article 78 proceeding at the Kings County Supreme Court and was granted a favorable, unanimous decision from a panel of judges at the Appellate Division, 2nd Department in April of 2005. Her lawsuit resulted in her reinstatement with compensation and the City of New York issuing proper procedures for terminating a community board employee. In June of 2004, she filed a New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) proceeding against a Brooklyn-based property owner and was successful in the venture in March of 2005.

She continues to be featured as a public speaker at events celebrating women's history, school graduations, chemical dependency programs, and college fairs, and as a moderator for political debates, some of which were most recently aired on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). She was recently elected as the state committeewomen (district leader) of the 57th A.D.

Finally, her primary interests include public service, international affairs, labor, industrial relations and education. She enjoys reading, writing and traveling. Her church, organizational board and memberships include: Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry, the Community Advisory Board of the Cumberland Diagnostic and Treatment Center, League of Women Voters, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Church Women United, Inc., and a host of other local and civic organizations.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Alabi and all of her hard work and the precedents she has set.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ms. Olanike T. Alabi.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Petrucci E. Harris. Petrucci Harris was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the younger of two daughters born to Timothy and Bessie Hardy. Her family moved to Long Island, New York, while she was still a child. After graduating from public school in New York, she attended Morgan State University in her hometown of Baltimore.

Ms. Harris' first professional job was with the Suffolk County Heard Start Program as a teacher, then a center director and later the county program coordinator. It was the experience of working with economically disadvantaged preschool aged children and their families which provided her with the motivation to return to school.

Ms. Harris was granted a fellowship by the National Institutes of Health which assisted her in earning a Masters of Social Work from the State University of New York's School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook. She also studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Urban Health Planning; Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy; New York University Ehrenkranz School of Social Work Post Masters Certificate Program; and the Mind/Body Institute of Harvard Medical School's Continuing Education Program.

Petrucci Harris has been employed in various areas of mental and behavioral health throughout her career. This includes the University of Louisville's Medical School Department of Psychiatry; Bingham Child Guidance Clinic; and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine where she was an adjunct faculty member as well as Coordinator of Social Work Services for many years. She worked on many projects for the inclusion of cultural content into the curriculum for immigrant psychiatric residents.

Ms. Harris served as a field instructor for graduate students at the New York University Ehrenkranz School of Social Work for several years. She was also an adjunct professor and faculty advisor for students at the NYU Wagner College where she taught the ethno cultural issues in social work practice course. She is currently a field instructor for Rutgers University's School of Social Work.

Ms. Harris is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Academy of Certified Social Workers, Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Supervisor of Clinical Social Work. Her commitment to improving the general quality of life through service to others is carried out in her pledge to community service as a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Ms. Harris lives in Summit, New Jersey. She is the mother of three adult children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize my fellow social worker for all of her hard work and outstanding achievements.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Petrucci E. Harris.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend Sonia Patricia Smith. Reverend Smith is a woman who has always placed her faith and confidence in the Lord.

For the last 15 years, Reverend Smith has been employed with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York where she has spent most of her time working tirelessly on behalf of her patients. Whether it is working with the elderly or providing nursing support to those infected with HIV, she is committed to ensuring that her patients receive the highest level of care and respect. She believes that as a medical professional it is not only her job only to heal her patients physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Because of her dedication to her patients, she was promoted to the management level at VNS.

In many ways, Reverend Smith sees the fruits of her labor through her family, whether it is her childhood sweetheart whom she married, Anthony, or her three children. Her eldest son Dr. Oronde Smith is a physician and loving husband to his wife Paula and wonderful father to his daughter Oniya. Reverend Smith's middle son Jonathan earned both his bachelors and masters degrees from Harvard University and is currently a third-year law student at New York University. Reverend Smith's youngest son Matthew is a talented musician and a third-year medical student at Downstate Medical School.

Reverend Smith's work with her daughter-in-law Paula demonstrates the compassion she has for others. Several years ago Paula was interested in entering the nursing profession but did not believe she was qualified and decided to terminate her schooling early. Reverend Smith refused to let her quit and tutored Paula helping her through her courses. Today Paula is a registered nurse as well as a nurse practitioner with an M.S. in nursing. Reverend Smith's example with Paula is not the exception, but rather the rule.

Reverend Smith has assisted countless individuals by providing help and often doing everything within her power to ensure that they achieve their goals. She has a special place in her heart for women and children, and being the first lady of Gethsemane Baptist Church where her husband serves as pastor. She has reached out to many members of the congregation giving them advice and lending a listening ear. She has worked extensively with the children's ministry or her ``angels'' as she

likes to call them, leading the children's church and vacation bible school.

Another example of Reverend Smith's commitment is demonstrated when she, along with her husband, organized and led a trip to Disney World for nearly 50 children in the church several years ago. Although neither the children nor their families had the financial means to afford the trip, Reverend Smith raised the funds and the support for this excursion.

Reverend Smith has touched countless lives through the work she does, and there is no doubt that she will continue to do so for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize all of the good works of Reverend Sonia Smith and her commitment to the most vulnerable in our society, our elderly and our children.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful for her kindness and compassion.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Sherine Brown Jennels. Dr. Jennels is a native New Yorker and the daughter of James and Delva E. Brown, sister of Jayson S. Brown. She is an Interdisciplinary Scientist at the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. She is developing science policies and enforcement strategies to promote the public's health and protect the Nation's food supply.

In May 2002, Dr. Jennels became the first African-American of Panamanian heritage to obtain a Ph.D. from Harvard University in Biological Sciences in Public Health. Her doctoral research focused on biochemistry of nutrition in the area of cholesterol metabolism, genetic epidemiology, and coronary heart disease risk. Dr. Jennels did her postdoctoral training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts, where she worked on protocol and laboratory development of the OMNI-Heart Clinical Trial (Optimal Macronutrient Intake and Heart-Disease). She was the featured scientist on the website's educational recruitment video.

Dr. Jennels presented her graduate research in Florence, Italy, at the sixth International Symposium on Global Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke. She also presented her research at Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, which published those findings.

In 2004, Dr. Jennels was accepted as a science fellow to the United States Department of Health and Human Service's Emerging Leaders Program. This fellowship has given her the unique opportunity to work with leading government officials and scientists at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; Office of the Secretary; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Office of Minority Health; and the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Jennels is driven to improve the health and wellness for all Americans as a way to address the social conditions affecting the underserved. As a scientist, she considers herself an ambassador of health, nutrition and fitness, especially advocating for minorities experiencing health disparities.

Attending Oakwood College crystallized her commitment for service and community. Appreciating the value of her B.S. degree in biochemistry from the historically Black Seventh-day Adventist institution, she also recognized the importance of her college's motto, ``Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.'' Taking this to heart, she has served as a youth ministry leader, short-term missionary volunteer, and a keynote speaker for several health, youth, and women's events.

In 2005, Dr. Jennels developed Operation Love Thy Neighbor, an organization designed to provide resources and support to families displaced by Hurricane Katrina in the Maryland area. This collaborative ministry of the Emmanuel-Brinklow SDA church assisted families and individuals in securing permanent housing, health care, transportation, emotional support, and/or household needs.

Dr. Jennels is married to Ernest Leland Jennels, and they reside in Bowie, Maryland. She enjoys traveling, sightseeing, the outdoors, sports, the arts, music, photography, and inspirational reading.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Jennels for her endless list of accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Sherine Brown Jennels.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Pallone very much for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate East New York's Transit Technical High School boy's basketball team for winning the PSAL New York City Championship.

The East New York Transit defeated Thomas Edison High School of Queens with a score of 52-46. This is only the second time in the school's history that the Transit boys' basketball team made it to the State playoff. The first time was in 1993 when the team still played in the ``B'' division.

I would also like to congratulate the staff of New York Transit Tech and its principal, Larry Kalvar, and its basketball coach, Michael Perazzo.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you please join me in honoring the boys' basketball team at East New York Transit Tech High School for its outstanding accomplishment.

I also rise to congratulate Brooklyn's Thomas Jefferson High School girls' basketball team for winning the PSAL A-league championship. The girls at Jefferson defeated New Town High School championship team to win the title, finishing with an overall 17-1 record, making this the first girls' basketball team to represent the borough of Brooklyn in the State playoffs.

My congratulations also goes out to the Jefferson High School principal, Michael Alexander, and the girls' basketball team coach, Calvin Young, for doing a marvelous job with the team. We need to recognize him as well.

I ask that you all please join me in honoring the girls' basketball team at Brooklyn's Thomas Jefferson High School for this outstanding accomplishment.

Sometimes we criticize our young people about not doing what we feel is right, but here is a situation where some young people have done a very positive thing, and I think we should pause to salute them for that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor America's social workers. This month provides us an opportunity to highlight the essential role that social workers play in alleviating some of America's most difficult problems.

Professional social workers are found in every facet of community life, including our schools, our hospitals, mental health clinics, senior citizen facilities, elected office, private practices, prisons, among our military personnel, and the list goes on and on.

I have had the opportunity to work with some outstanding social workers or to be involved professionally with them. I have been involved with Dr. Roger Witherspoon, who is a great social worker, Mr. Levander Lilly, Ruby Bullock, Betty Williams, Mark Handelman, Ed Pitt, Dr. Joe Jackson, Sam Hodes, and I can go on and on because of my many years of being involved in the field of social work.

This year's theme for National Professional Social Workers Month is ``Hope and Health; Help Starts Here.'' This theme reflects the important work being done by social workers in the health care field.

Social workers involved in health care often work within a multidisciplinary team which includes doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. This is an approach to ensure quality care for patients and their families.

I am grateful for the leadership and expertise that the members of the National Association of Social Workers provide to the people of America and, of course, around the world. Social workers in all disciplines use their collective power every day to strengthen our Nation's families and communities, help individuals overcome adversity, and advance sound social policies. The commitment and dedication of social workers to create a more positive environment for all of our people is to be commended.

Last year, the National Association of Social Workers released the results of a national study which warns of an impending shortage of social workers that threatens future services for all Americans, especially the most vulnerable among us, our children and our senior citizens.

Throughout history, social workers have addressed the needs of society and brought our Nation's social problems to the public's attention. As one of the 10 proud social workers of the House of Representatives, today I know firsthand how social workers across this country advocate for the humane, fair and beneficial policies for all of our citizens.

So I salute all social workers during this National Professional Social Work Month; and I say to my colleagues around the board, social workers make a great contribution to the improvement of the quality of life for so many people in this country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Agnes E. Green. Agnes E. Green is the eldest of seven children born to David and Agnes Cokley, and the mother of one son, Eric. She is currently the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at Spring Creek Towers and the Editor-in-Chief of its newspaper, The Spring Creek Sun.

Born and raised in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant and now a resident of Prospect Heights, Agnes is an activist who possesses a strong desire to obtain the greatest good for her community.

While living in Crown Heights where her son was raised, she became active in the parent associations and often served as president. Her leadership was rewarded and she became a member on the Executive Board of the citywide United Parents Association and later the Board President.

As a parent leader, Agnes gained a reputation as an independent, outspoken voice for all children's entitlement to a quality education and parents' rights to participate in their education. Because of her advocacy, she was asked by leaders of the CSD 17 Presidents' Council to represent them in the race for a seat on Community School Board 17. With the collective energy of parents and community support, she was elected in 1983 and in every Board election thereafter, until the New York City School Board was dissolved in 2004.

As a first term Board member, Agnes surprised many by becoming President of the CSB 17 and held other officer and committee chair positions throughout her 17 years as an elected school official.

She was appointed by Mayor Edward I. Koch to serve on the newly created AIDS panel for school-aged children in August 1985. She was the first parent representative to serve during one of the most contentious periods in the City's public school history. The panel reviewed the medical status and family history of children diagnosed HIV positive.

The end of the School Board did not diminish Agnes' commitment to urging the improvement of public school education. She is a founding member of Black New Yorkers for Educational Excellence, a citywide progressive organization whose mission is to actively work for education as a means of liberation.

Agnes, an honor student throughout public school, was also Bushwick High School's first Black and first female to be elected President of the Student Government Association. Her college education began at Brooklyn College and formally ended at New York University where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and minored in English literature.

After attending NYU, Agnes was hired by WCBS Newsradio 88 where she worked for 19 years. She began as a News Desk Assistant and quickly rose to Chief News Desk Assistant. Through her many years at WCBS Radio she won numerous awards.

Agnes is currently the producer and host of Everyday People and Everyday Voices aired monthly on Brooklyn Community Access Television.

Her passions include outdoor music concerts, jazz festivals, live theatrical productions, taking photos, and collecting Black memorabilia.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize this outstanding journalist for all of her work.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Agnes E. Green.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Lillian Roberts. Lillian Roberts is currently the Executive Director of District Council 37 of the AFSCME, AFL-CIO union. She represents 121,000 public workers in New York City, 50,000 of them retirees, 1,000 titles and 56 locals. She is also Vice President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Vice President of the NYC Central Labor Council and Secretary of the Municipal Labor Committee.

Lillian became a union activist as a Nurse's Aide working in a Chicago hospital in the 1950s. She spearheaded the creation of five locals and led an organizing drive at four Chicago hospitals.

Lillian came to New York City, built DC 37's hospital division and became Associate Director of DC 37. She distinguished herself by her skill as an organizer and her ability to connect with rank-and-file members. She established the DC 37 Education fund, the largest union- based adult education program in the country that offers union members a four-year degree with the College of New Rochelle. This program has become a model for unions nationwide.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, Lillian brought into the union thousands of workers in federally funded jobs. She found that experience to be a blueprint for creating unionized jobs for welfare recipients. She also developed the DC 37 Municipal Employees Legal Services program, which provides legal services to members and the DC 37 Personal Services Unit, which offers counseling to those with personal problems.

In 1981, Lillian became the first African-American woman named New York State Commissioner of Labor. During her 6-year tenure, she lead the 7,500 employee body to increase the annual job placement level by 5 percent, obtained federal approval of a state plan for a Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program, and computerized unemployment insurance offices and the Job Service program.

Lillian was first elected DC 37 Executive Director in 2002 after serving as consultant to the union she helped build. She was re-elected to a 3-year term in January of 2004. In January of 2007, Ms. Roberts was overwhelmingly re-elected for her 3rd term.

Lillian currently leads the union where she had been a previous Associate Director and consultant. In the 1960s and 1970s, she played a major role in organizing new members into DC 37 and establishing an array of

benefits that became the envy of the Nation's labor movement.

With housing costs rising, Lillian approached Mayor Bloomberg with a proposal to give DC 37 members and municipal workers an affordable way to meet the City's requirement that they live in the 5 boroughs. The result is the innovative DC 37 Affordable Housing Program. This program allows DC 37 members and city workers preference for 5 percent of units in city-sponsored lotteries for affordable homes and apartments, down payment grants through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and homebuyer training and education through Neighborhood Housing Services.

Lillian's leadership is rooted in the lessons she learned while growing up on welfare on Chicago's South Side and fighting for better working conditions as a Nurse's Aide. Growing up as 1 of 5 siblings in conditions of poverty, she was instilled with a deep concern for the needy and a passion for fighting social injustices.

Lillian has been a member of numerous boards including: Board of Trustees of the College of New Rochelle; the State University of New York, the National Equal Rights Committee and the National Committee for Labor Israel.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize this labor activist. for all of her accomplishments and her empathy for area workers.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Lillian Roberts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Brooklyn resident Aurora Brown. Ms. Brown is a native New Yorker and a third generation West Indian who sites education as the strength of her lineage. The Amsted's (family name) were the first black school teachers in Virginia. Ms. Brown taught scholastic and college preparatory classes to youth for employment opportunities. Her students have successfully gone on to colleges and universities such as Morehouse, Spelman and Hampton through her mentoring.

As the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of S&B Cleaning Services, Inc., Ms. Brown's mission to incorporate was derived from previous experiences of managing several janitorial companies and being employed by federal affiliates including 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York.

Ms. Brown received The Council City of New York Proclamation Award in December of 2005 and the Partner in Education Award from the Occupational Training Center of New York in June of 2004. Known for her generosity and fairness when dealing with clients and employees, she makes it her business to oversee personally the human resources development of employing disadvantaged and handicapped individuals.

Ms. Brown's work ethic serves as encouragement for women to venture out and become business owners. She states, ``through long hours, trials, and tribulations, moments were grueling, but definitely worth the effort.'' She also admits the company motto was her driving force when faced with opposition and adversity. Tedious daily functions of operating a business, she makes time to give to her community as a facilitator of public functions, contributing donations, fundraising for the welfare of child care. Ms. Brown, in conjunction with public officials and local affiliates, has donated toys to the Young Minds Daycare Center for the 2005 holiday season. Her personal choice for donations in 2006 was Family Life Foster Care.

Ms. Brown has others to thank in establishing herself, such as family, friends, and associates, but likes to acknowledge that her Executive Vice-President Edwin Santiago is a key component in the developmental operation of rapid growth of this organization; she also takes pride in acknowledging that her employees are the backbone of S&B Cleaning Services, Inc. There is much more you can expect to see that Ms. Brown has yet to reveal. Just like her company motto ``There's not much we don't do.''

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Aurora Brown for her accomplishments in business.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ms. Aurora Brown.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Brooklyn, New York resident Melinda DelRosario. Melinda DelRosario was born in Panama City in the Republic of Panama. She attended the Instituto Nacional in the Republic of Panama and became the youngest member of the senior choir and usher ministry at Rio Abajo Methodist Church. Upon migrating to the U.S. Ms. DelRosario attended Eramus High School in Brooklyn, New York. In pursuit of a nursing career she earned a BSN Degree at St. Joseph College in Brooklyn, New York graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors.

Upon graduation from St. Joseph College, she assumed various administrative positions in home care and hospitals, among them; Kings Brook Jewish Medical Center as an Administrative Supervisor/ Administrator on duty.

Currently, Melinda oversees the Nurse Connection Program with Village Care of New York in conjunction with Roche Pharmaceutical Company. Ms. DelRosario is an HIV Nurse and consultant. She also instructs doctors and nurses in the administration of fuzeon therapy for HIV positive patients. In addition, Melinda provides in home instruction to patients and counseling to families.

Besides working as a healthcare provider, Melinda has been a prolific community activist and commonly known for her spirit of cooperation and punctuality. Twenty-five years ago, she became a member of ``The Diggers.'' This is an organization led by Mr. Roman Foster who researched historical facts on the building and construction of the Panama Canal. This research resulted in the production of a documentary which provided narratives and anecdotes with the contributions of West Indians and the Caribbean works in Panama during the Canal's construction.

Melinda James-DelRosario was also a member of the Madison Democratic Club; the former Secretary of the Panamanian Nurses Association and the Caribbean Nurses Association; Travel Coordinator with MIPOPA which is an organization group headed by Dr. Carlos E. Russell which advocates the rights of Panamanians to vote abroad. She is a member of Panama Vote 2004, an organization led by Dr. George Priestly, which raised funds to support the candidacy of President Martin Torrijos and Probisida, an organization dedicated to providing assistance to HIV positive patients.

Melinda is also a civic minded, community oriented individual who embraces the concept of caring and sharing in issues affecting those who have been disenfranchised.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Melinda James-DelRosario for her good works and accomplishments in our community.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Melinda James-DelRosario.

I rise today to pay tribute to Brooklyn resident Joyce McDonald. Joyce McDonald was born to parents Willie and Florence McDonald and raised in Brooklyn's Farragut Houses. Joyce is the third eldest of seven children. She was reared in a household where unconditional love was practiced and family values were instilled.

Joyce attended P.S. 287, Sands JHS 265 as well as Fashion Industry High School. Her love and compassion for people led her to become a volunteer at Cumberland Hospital as a Junior Nurse's Aide at 16-years- old for the terminally ill. Joyce's teenaged years were not always so hopeful.

During her teen years into adulthood, Joyce made many bad choices. Thirty years afterward, she changed direction. Joyce has survived various forms of mental and physical abuses which include rape, attempted suicide, depression and a 25-year heroin addiction. In 1995, Joyce tested positive for HIV and was later diagnosed with AIDS.

Despite her diagnosis, Joyce continued to share her life's story and artistic talents with the world.

Without any formal art training, Joyce McDonald is currently a world renowned artist. Her work has been exhibited in galleries, schools, universities, shelters, nursing homes and hospitals. Her testimony and art has been shared throughout the country via the media.

Joyce has received numerous awards, including: the 2002 Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award, the 2003 Church of the Open Door Woman of the Year Award, the 2004 Isler's Award from the Women's Empowerment Movement, and the 2004 Governor's Citation from Maryland. In 2005, Joyce was one of nine Magnificent Women of Brooklyn honored by Senator Velmanette Montgomery and received a citation from the New York Assembly. She has also received the Dr. Martin Luther King Award from Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Joyce McDonald's talents include being an artist, sculptress, designer, writer, singer, poet and motivational speaker. These are talents she attributes to her family, including her Dad who is now deceased, her Mother, her two married daughters and their spouses and her six grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the impressive achievements of this extraordinary individual, who through her own pain found it within herself to help others.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful person and her creative works.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Eugenia Elizabeth Swinson. Eugenia Swinson, or ``Genie,'' was born in Savannah, GA, to Eugene and Carrie Swinson. She was raised on Long Island's South Shore Bay in New York. Genie and her 9 siblings are products of the Bay Shore Public School District. After graduation, all of them attended college. Genie decided upon C.W. Post College with a major of vocal music.

During her studies at Post, she toured Europe her freshman year with the Chamber and Madrigal Ensembles. Upon returning from the tour, she decided to move to California to launch a professional singing career. This turned out be a wise decision because once there she had an opportunity to work with

Quincy Jones on the Brothers Johnson debut album as well as tour with Boz Scaggs under the stage name of ``Pepper Swinson.'' There would be many more bands that would come her way.

She returned to New York due to illness, however, after recuperating, she moved to Israel to sing. After working in the Givatiem and Tel Aviv, Israel, she once again returned to New York, this time with a new skill. She had mastered the Hebrew language. Almost immediately after arriving in the United States, Genie's health took a turn for the worse. She began a battle with end stage renal disease, due to Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis. This would mean 7 years of dialysis before a successful kidney transplant at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

While in New York, Genie decided to return to C.W. Post College to earn her undergraduate degree in modern languages with a minor in music. She studied Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. After the transplant, Genie landed a job with the New York City Board of Education as a teacher of Spanish. She received her masters degree in multicultural education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Bronx, New York. She is currently a teacher at a Theatre Arts School in the Bronx and also gives private voice lessons in her home. Genie actively continues her studies in languages. Italian and Portuguese are her current passions. ``It's my favorite pastime.''

Not long after her transplant, she was approached by a representative from the New York Organ Donor Network and became a volunteer spokesperson for that organization. She appeared at several speaking and singing engagements on behalf of the Network. At several events she sang ``Another Chance to Give'' (La Vispera de Vida) in both English and Spanish in an effort to bring awareness to the need for organ and tissue donors.

It was her position as the official spokesperson for the Network that led her to an opportunity to sing the national anthem before games at both Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden for both professional teams. Today, Genie remains a strong advocate of organ and tissue transplantation.

Genie has modeled for Mode Magazine and continues to sing for Wilson Pickett's back up band, The Midnight Movers. Accompanied by jazz pianist Dr. Billy Taylor, she recently sang at a gala given by the Jazz Foundation of America which honored its co-founder Ann Ruckert.

``I am a collector of people,'' said Genie. ``I have the same friends today that I had in the second grade. Naturally, I've added on to that distinctive group, but those friends are still an important part of my life. I like to spend time, reading, studying languages and spoiling my nieces, nephews and God's children. I'm honored to be a part of this distinctive group,'' added Genie.

Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Genie for sharing her beautiful talents with the rest of us. Through all of her adversity she continued to grace us with her gift of song.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Eugenia ``Genie'' Swinson.