Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Jennifer Flynn. For close to two years, Jennifer Flynn ended her workday by standing for six hours in front of New York City's largest welfare center. She and other activists took their place on the sidewalk whether it rained or snowed to protest the lack of legally mandated emergency housing for homeless people living with AIDS.

Ms. Flynn is one of 10 outstanding individuals from across the country chosen to receive this year's Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program award.

The unusual strategy, combined with litigation and public education, resulted in the City being found in contempt of a court order--and insured that nearly every homeless New Yorker living with AIDS who needed emergency housing received it.

Ms. Flynn didn't stop there. She went on to co-found and direct the New York City AIDS Housng Network (NYCAHN), which has seen to it that housing is provided to every single New Yorker with HIV/AIDS who requests shelter.

HIV has hit low-income people of color harder than any other demographic group in New York City. A full 92 percent of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS are from communities of color.

Of Ms. Flynn, Christine Quinn, Councilmember for the 3rd District says: ``Jennifer Flynn has managed to be a constant activist for the rights of homeless and low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, while building an organization in this time of financial hardship. She is fearless in her advocacy.''

Teaching people with HIV/AIDS to advocate on their own behalf has been key to Ms. Flynn's success. In fact, NYCAHN is a membership organization led by people living with HIV/AIDS. She has trained more than 1,000 of NYCAHN's members in community organizing and advocacy.

Recently, she and her staff pressured the New York City Council to release a report about its emergency housing system. NYCAHN's efforts led to the introduction of the first bill in U.S. history that insures permanent housing for people living with AIDS/HIV. She has also exposed the dangerous conditions that exist in illegal rooming houses the City was using to house formerly incarcerated people with AIDS/HIV.

One woman who works at NYCAHN and finds shelter for people living with HIV/AIDS every day says, ``We are all willing to do this grueling work because we know that Jennifer is working 10 times harder all of the time. She is there fighting with her heart to make sure that we have access to housing and to our human rights.''

The Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program distributes $1.2 million each year o innovators who have creatively surmounted obstacles to meet the challenges of providing health care and social services to the underserved members of their communities. Ms. Flynn and this year's other winners will be honored at a June event in Washington, D.C. She will receive $105,000 to

apply to her program and a $15,000 personal award.

Ms. Flynn was chosen from nearly 700 people nominated this year. Since 1992, the program has given 133 awards in 45 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Award winners are nominated by civic leaders, health professionals, government representatives and others inspired by their efforts to provide essential health services to their communities.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Flynn is motivated by the disparity and inconsistencies that she observes in her community. She believes that a commitment to help those who are regarded as less fortunate is a small price to pay. Her commitment in turn inspires others to continue to strive for a better future. Ms. Flynn is more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor JoAnn Lum. Ms. Lum, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, recently won the Nation's

highest community health leadership honor for mobilizing sweatshop workers and Lower Manhattan victims of 9/11 to seek improved access to benefits and quality health services as part of a larger effort to gain control of their lives.

Ms. Lum is one of 10 outstanding individuals from across the country chosen to receive this year's Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program award.

While growing up in California, Lum observed the hardships suffered by her father and other relatives as they put in long hours as `houseboys,' busboys and garment workers. During a stint in the Manhattan Borough President's office in the early 1990s, she volunteered as an English teacher for Chinese immigrants and was inspired by the impact of workers organizing to improve conditions.

Ms. Lum founded the National Mobilization Against SweatShops (NMASS) to harness the power of worker campaigns to create healthier workplaces and communities. She works primarily with Latina, Afro-Caribbean, Polish and African American women and men. In one project, she is targeting injured workers' access to benefits and medical treatment, campaigning to overhaul the Workers' Compensation system. In addition, she is calling for an end to `forced overtime' and other unfair practices, to prevent injuries among more workers.

A testament to Ms. Lum's work is a statement from a Polish immigrant who suffered chemical injuries as an asbestos worker and received assistance from Ms. Lum's organization: ``I joined NMASS after being denied my Workers'' Compensation benefits numerous times. I was alone and felt powerless, with no money or health care. JoAnn not only assisted me to get needed medical treatment, but has opened my eyes to how disabled workers like myself can join together to advocate for fair health benefits.''

Another NMASS initiative launched by Lum, called ``Beyond Ground Zero,'' is a coalition of pubic health advocates, doctors, clergy and community groups that came together in response to the health crisis among Lower Manhattan's poor population following 9/11.

The coalition compelled private entities to create disaster health insurance for individuals working in Lower Manhattan whose health and income were damaged by 9/11. And in Partnership with Bellevue Hospital, the coalition started a treatment and documentation program for respiratory problems and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms experienced by victims who were largely ignored by other relief efforts.

More than 3,000 people attended two Lower Manhattan town hall meetings organized by Ms. Lum. Ultimately, her coalition assisted 10,000 poor families in accessing medical coverage and treatment or disaster relief. Ms. Lum's coalition continues to advodate for public and private support for programs that address the longterm health needs of the working poor in Lower Manhattan.

``JoAnn is gifted with the ability to create a movement where the people who must speak for themselves are the center of the work,'' said one of Lum's nominators.

The Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program distributes $1.2 million each year to innovators who have creatively surmounted obstacles to meet the challenges of providing health care and social services to the underserved members of their communities. Ms. Lum and this year's other winners will be honored at a June event in Washington, D.C. She will receive $105,000 to apply to her program and a $15,000 personal award.

Ms. Lum was chosen from nearly 700 people nominated this year. Since 1992, the program has given 133 awards in 45 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Award winners are nominated by civic leaders, health professionals, government representatives and others inspired by their efforts to provide essential health services to their communities.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Lum is motivated by the disparity and inconsistencies that she observes in her community. She believes that a commitment to help those who are regarded as less fortunate is a small price to pay. Her commitment in turn inspires others to continue to strive for a better future. Ms. Lum is more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the accomplishments of Yolande I. Nicholson.

Ms. Nicholson obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Journalism at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Then she earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law, where she was actively involved in the Columbia Journal of Transnational Law. As a student, she received the Harry S. Truman Congressional scholarship, George B. Dealy Journalism Award, and a Distinction in Political Theory for academic excellence. In 1994, she received the Mayoral Special Achievement Award for commitment to economic development projects involving small businesses and entrepreneurial activities in New York City.

Ms. Nicholson began her admirable career as a legal assistant at Bozeman & Trott, P.C. in Mount Vernon, New York, and subsequently held executive roles in several prominent financial institutions, including Vice President and Transaction Execution Manager at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Chase Manhattan Bank. She now holds the position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn, where she has served since June 2004.

Ms. Nicholson has continually shared her talents and experience to help others. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I proudly recognize Ms. Yolande I. Nicholson, an asset to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a Brooklynite and distinguished public servant, James T. Conolly. It is an honor to represent Mr. Conolly in the House of Representatives and it behooves us to pay tribute to such an outstanding leader.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Conolly obtained his bachelor's degree at the City University of New York. He subsequently pursued a career in public service, where he dedicated several years to assisting and leading others.

Mr. Conolly has demonstrated exemplary leadership and devotion to the community as the Executive Director of Alternative Sentencing in the Office of the Brooklyn District Attorney and Director of the Work Experience Program for the New York City Human Resources Administration under Mayor Giuliani. In conjunction with the late honorable Shirley Chisholm, he co-founded the Mid-Brooklyn Civic Association. In addition, Mr. Conolly was the first black man to be elected as District leader in the 42nd Assembly District, which included the Flatbush area of Brooklyn. He is continuing his ongoing commitment to the Brooklyn community through his activity as Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Human Resources Administration.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent upon this body to recognize the achievements and selfless service of Mr. Conolly as he continues to offer his talents and philanthropic services for the betterment of the community.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. James T. Conolly has continuously demonstrated his altruistic dedication to the community that makes him more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a Brooklynite and distinguished lawyer, Charles E. Simpson. It is an honor to represent Mr. Simpson in the House of Representatives and it behooves us to pay tribute to such an outstanding leader.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Simpson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974, graduating magna cum laude from Pepperdine University and named a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow. He subsequently obtained his Juris Doctor from Harvard University in 1978. Before completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Simpson dedicated three years of service to the United States Air Force. As a lawyer, Mr. Simpson often represents debtors and creditors in Chapter 11 Reorganization cases. He is currently a partner of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP, and chairs the firm's Bankruptcy, Creditors' Rights and Workouts Practice Group, and is a member of the Corporate and Securities, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Mr. Simpson has served as counsel to me since 1981. He also acted as outside counsel to the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation from 1983 through 1996. Mr. Simpson engaged in several philanthropic activities

and demonstrated true dedication by serving on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Red Cross, and the Queens Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, as well as acting as Brooklyn's representative on the Board of Directors of the New York City Public Development Corporation. He was also active as a member of the Brooklyn Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Minorities in the Profession.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize the accomplishments and selfless service of Mr. Simpson as he continues to offer his talents and philanthropic services for the betterment of the community.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Charles E. Simpson has continuously demonstrated his altruistic dedication to the community that makes him more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a distinguished member of the healthcare profession and Brooklynite, Dr. Terry E. Grant.

Dr. Grant is the Chief Executive Officer of Gentle Dental, which offers cosmetic and general dentistry, and which serves nursing homes and assisted living facilities. He has also been active as a Chief Division of Geriatric Dentistry at several universities and medical centers. Through dentistry he has conducted various efforts to improve the health of his community.

Dr. Grant's efforts include establishing base line data to track children and families in need of dental services, providing free dental service in his private office to children and families of the working poor and uninsured. He has also developed strategies to improve the overall healthcare of children in his community, including contacting the national dentifrice companies and soliciting their support. Most notably, he has spearheaded a community-based preventive children's dentistry program. The program provides free toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, and preventive dentistry lectures to children in conjunction with the Nassau County Dental Society for Children Dental Health month.

Mr. Speaker, it behooves us to pay tribute to the achievements and service of Dr. Grant. May our country continue to benefit from the selfless endeavors of individuals, such as Dr. Terry E. Grant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Albert C. Wiltshire, an esteemed community leader. It is an honor to represent Mr. Wiltshire in the House of Representatives and it behooves us to pay tribute to such an outstanding leader.

Mr. Wiltshire obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban Studies from St. Francis' College and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from New York University. He also received a Senior Managers Program certification from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Mr. Wiltshire is currently a Government Relations Manager for the KeySpan Corporation. At KeySpan, he provides counsel to the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Director of Government Relations on the relevant implications of government policy. Prior to joining KeySpan, he served as a Government Relations Manager for Consolidated Edison. Mr. Wiltshire's administrative experience also includes his previous service as President and Chief Operating Officer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. Through his efforts, the Navy Yard has become the most successful industrial park and economic development project in the nation.

Mr. Wiltshire is certainly a model for the youth in our community. His drive to improve the standard of living and to clear a path for our youth to enter the economic mainstream is evident in all of his endeavors. Mr. Wiltshire has even served as a member of the New York City Police Department, where he became involved in reaching out to young adults at risk. He also restructured the Citywide Model Cities Program and devoted two years to reforming the New York City Juvenile Justice System's approach to youth crime and incarceration.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize the achievements and service of Mr. Albert C. Wiltshire.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Nicolas Abreu.

Nicolas Abreu was born on the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic to Hobo and Nicolasa Abreu. On February 19, 1979, the entire family migrated to New York in order to pursue a better life.

His first job, as a waiter in a local restaurant, lasted for nine years. Remembering the vision of his parents led him to resign from his restaurant job and go to work at the family run Auto Dealer establishment.

On November 14, 1981, Nicolas Abreu married Luz at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Together, they are the proud parents of three children.

Continuing the family legacy, in 1991, Mr. Abreu opened his own auto sales business in Brooklyn, naming it ``Diana Auto Sales'' after his daughter. Business was good and by the mid 1990s Nicolas opened his second used car sales establishment, Crystal Motors Inc., named after his niece.

Mr. Abreu also leads by example in his spiritual life. He is an Extra Ordinary Minister at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, where he and his family worship. He is the founding member of the EMAUS (a men's group in the church whose role is to get men involved in activities in the church).

He owes his success to his parents for their vision and dedication to their children; if it were not for his parent's foresight he would not be where he is today. Mr. Speaker, Nicolas Abreu recognizes the importance of family, hard work, respect for the community and courage makes him more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Arthur ``Butch'' Niles. Arthur H. Niles was born and raised in Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant village, where just about the entire village raised him. ``Butch'' as family and friends lovingly know him, was born smack dab in the middle of 14 children, parented by Anton and Lillian Niles. He attended P.S. 44, J.H.S. 35 and Boy's High School. Since he was an outstanding athlete, his basketball skills helped him earn the Four Friends' scholarships to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia where he captained the team his entire 4 years. Mr. Niles graduated from the Virginia Union University with Bachelors degree in Sociology as well as achieved lifetime membership to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

After a brief stint in the Eastern Professional Basketball League, playing for the Scranton Miners, a minor league team of Boston Celtics, ``Butch'' return to Bedford Stuyvesant. Along with a few of his brothers and the community friends, he organized the original legendary ``Soul in The Hole'' Basketball tournament. This activity became a sports and cultural extravaganza for youth and their families that occurs every summer and features African Dancers, drummers, poetry readings and great ball games.

Butch has always had a revolving respect with the people of central Brooklyn, especially the youth. He always felt that the power of the people could be realized most effectively by fostering a mutually trusting relationship with the youth.

After meeting Lucille Rose in the early 1970s, Arthur is credited for organizing the first Bedford Stuyvesant Central Youth Council, Inc. He met George Glee and Margo Butts at Vanguard Urban Improvement Association Inc., where he was employed as a Coordinator. Arthur worked with the young men and Margo worked with the young ladies and together they improved the lives of thousands of young people, many of whom went on to be accountants, teachers, union leaders and other professionals. Mr. Niles is in his 26th year with the agency, during his tenure he has placed over 500 youth from Bedford Stuyvesant in primarily Historically Black Colleges and Universities, developed a culinary School and created the safe Passage for central Brooklyn teens.

He developed 21 units of affordable housing through the 1661 Macon Houses L.P and manages another 105 units in Bedford Stuyvesant. Other developments include SUNY Downstate Medical Satellite and Interfaith Medical Center. He is a member of Community Board #3 serving on the By- law's, Land Use and Economic Development committees. He is also a member of Bedford Stuyvesant Economic and Physical Development task force. For his outstanding devotion to community service Butch has received numerous awards over the years like the Community Leadership Award from the Borough President, the Continuous Service Award from Omega Psi Phi, the Youth Development Award from the Mayor's Office, and the Businessman of the year '04 from the Republican Congressional Committee.

Arthur and his wife Margo have 2 grown children. His hobbies include travel, collecting jazz, playing golf and tennis and of course watching basketball. Mr. Speaker, Arthur ``Butch'' Niles has continuously worked towards improving the lives of the youth of the community as well as his commitment and generosity in helping others has made him more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Darren K. Pearson, an established entrepreneur who has developed four running businesses in the Real Estate marketplace in Brooklyn, New York and parts of Queens. These businesses include Darren K. Real Estate, LLC, Darren K. Real Estate, LLC Maintenance Division, Howard Avenue Development, L.P., and Darren K. Real Estate Management Company. A part of Darren K. Real Estate, LLC activities involves the acquisition, rehabilitation and development of quality housing of previously owned city multi-dwelling buildings for low, moderate and middle-income families.

Before becoming involved in real estate, Mr. Pearson worked as an account executive for Amergold Corporation. He also worked for Vanguard Oil Corporation as a fuel salesperson in the commercial and barge departments, where his duties included fuel sales to Con Edison, PSE & G, LILCO and Government contracts. Within one year, he was promoted to Director of Public Relations for Vanguard and headed the ``Robert F. Kennedy Memorial'' Home Oil Transfer Program, a program that allowed Mr. Pearson to provide fuel oil to needy families and non-profit organizations at discount prices or even at no cost. Due to his success, he was promoted to Vice President of Procurement and Industrial Sales for Vanco Oil Co., a subsidiary of Vanguard Oil Corp.

After leaving Vanguard, Mr. Pearson worked as the Real Estate Sales Manager for Charles E. Simpson Real Estate Company and obtained his broker's license after one year. After that he started his four companies.

Mr. Pearson is active in both the Brooklyn and Manhattan communities, as Chairman of the Men's Caucus for Congressman Towns, member of 100 Black Men, Inc. and Senator David Patterson's Progressive Network.

Mr. Pearson is a devoted husband to his wife Lydia and a loving son to his mother Willie Mae. Mr. Speaker, Darren K. Pearson has continued to demonstrate through his efforts to improve the quality of life in his community that he is more than worthy of our recognition here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Dr. Joon Bang. Dr. Bang is President of the Korean American Youth Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Korean American youth. He has been involved since 1993 with Foundation.

The Foundation's mission is to help Korean American youth develop a positive, healthy identity through self-awareness, career planning, and mentoring. Every year, the Foundation sponsors an essay contest titled ``What America Means to Me'' for Korean American youth that awards college scholarships to the winners. In 2001 the Foundation collaborated with WNET Channel 13 to expand the contest to include young people of all backgrounds.

The Foundation raises money to create an annual career forum for Asian American youth presented by the Flushing branch of the YWCA and the Korean American Network. It also sponsors Korean cultural events and performances for the community that attracts performers from across the country. Dr. Bang is also a member of the Advisory Board for Youth Affairs for the Institute of Korean-American Studies, Inc. (ICAS in Philadelphia).

Dr. Bang has devoted his time to introducing positive images of the Korean American community to the metropolitan area through public television. In 1994, he founded ``Korean Friend's of Channel 13'' and served as president until 1999. In this capacity, he helped WNET Channel 13 develop a number of fundraising events to assist the March 1999 production of ``Korean American Spirits,'' a documentary featuring the lives of Korean Americans in the tri-state area. The program raised more than $140,000 for public broadcasting. For his contributions, Dr. Bang was named the 1997 recipient of the National Friends of Public Broadcasting and Elaine Peterson Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Bang was born in Korea and graduated from the Medical College, Seoul National University, in Seoul, Korea in 1970. He came to the United States in 1973 and became a board-certified internist in 1978. He is an internist at the New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn.

Dr. Bang is the recipient of the 2001 Caring for Children Award. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Joon Bang has continuously demonstrated through his humanitarian efforts to improve the lives of the people in his community that he is more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rev. Jonathan Owhe, a native born Nigerian who immigrated to the United States of America in 1989 in answer to God's Call to restore a dying world. Rev. Owhe, a distinguished scholar holds a Bachelors of Arts in Earth Science, Masters of Science in Non-profit Management and Ministry Ordination/ Licenses from Assembly of God's Church, Coastville, PA.

Since coming to the United States he has served in different capacities and worked with various organizations and community leaders. He once served as a Special Assistant to Rev. Clearance Williams, pastor of the House of Prayer Church; Director of Project & Program, Vice President of Human Resource under the late Chief Adebowale Joshua of Central Brooklyn Coordinating Council; Director of Human Resource/ Public Relations/Grants under Ngozi Moses of Brooklyn Perinatal Network.

In 1995 Rev. Jonathan Owhe and his wife started the Christ The Rock International Church in their living room with just a couple of members. The church now has over 400 parishioners at its Brooklyn headquarters as well as two branches in Tennessee and Georgia and over 300 churches in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Rev. Owhe is a community oriented individual. Concerned with the health disparities and social disintegration of inner city neighborhoods, he founded the Rockgate Community Development Inc. Through this organization, various social, health and educational programs have been created, including Faith in Action Volunteer Care Services, Housing Referral and Counseling Services, Infant Mortality Reduction & Maternal Health Initiative, Comprehensive Youth Leadership & Mentoring Program, HIV/Aids Outreach Services, and a Food Pantry program which feeds hundreds of people weekly.

Rev. Jonathan Owhe is the Chairman of the Rockgate Tours, a transportation ministry--taking passengers all over the United States. He sits on various boards and steering committees of major health and social service organizations including the Brooklyn Prenatal Network Inc., Brooklyn Pediatric Health Network, New York City Comprehensive Prenatal Network, and the Greater Southern Coalition Network.

Rev. Owhe has a television program called Hour of Restoration, which reaches thousands of homes each week. He and his wife, Toyin, have five children. Mr. Speaker, Rev. Jonathan Owhe has continuously demonstrated his dedication to his community through his role as a religious leader and his commitment and generosity in helping others that he is more than worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to join the Jewish people in Jerusalem and throughout the world in celebration of Yom Yerushalyim, Jerusalem Day.

On June 7, 1967 the 28th of Iyar 5727, the Israel Defense Forces in the heat of the Six-Day War, unified the city of Jerusalem under Jewish control. At approximately 10 a.m. on that day, the earth shattering proclamation ``The Temple Mount is ours, It is in our hands'' reverberated in the hearts of Jews across the globe. The dream of once again being able to visit the Kotel, The Western Wall, and other previously inaccessible holy sites of Jerusalem, had become a reality. In the subsequent years to follow, Jewish people from

every nation on earth would make pilgrimages to the holy city of Jerusalem to visit its revered sites and offer their heartfelt prayers.

Every stone in Jerusalem is saturated with Jewish history, every street has some story and saga of biblical times and modem times. Even though Jerusalem is a city laden with rich archeological artifacts, and remnants of ancient times, it has become a thriving city that has preserved its historic nature and adapted to modem life. Beautiful shopping malls, fresh food markets and restaurants are commonplace in Jerusalem, which emphasize the cultural advancements Israel has made in such a short period of time.

Perhaps one of the most moving aspects of modem day Jerusalem is its abundance of Yeshivas, Kollels and the prominence of Jewish religious life. It is truly inspiring to see Jews, young and old immersed in the deep study of Jewish texts. Many Hasidic sects and other Orthodox institutions based in my district have satellite branches in Jerusalem and quite a few of my young constituents study Judaism in Jerusalem and return to the United States invigorated from their experiences.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize this very jubilant day and reaffirm my unflinching support for the City of Jerusalem and the State of lsrael.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Geraldine Baker for her academic accomplishments and contributions to the field of education.

Geraldine ``Gerry'' Baker was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York, and is one of the twin daughters of Marie G. and the late Henry W. Baker. Ms. Baker was raised in the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn. Here she was greatly influenced by the Reverend Dr. Gardner C. Taylor's ministry of activism and leadership and studied classical music under the tutelage of the late John T. Lucas, organist. Following the tradition of great Black families, Ms. Baker's parents inspired her life-long pursuit of excellence.

Ms. Baker is a distinguished alumna of the New York City Public School System. At an early age she exhibited leadership skills when she was elected class president at Eastern District High School. She was later selected to participate in a pilot program under the auspices of the Carnegie High School Language program, and won a National Defense Foreign Language Fellowship in Chinese for the summer program at Columbia University. She then pursued a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and linguistics at CUNY Richmond College.

Ms. Baker culminated her education at Pace University, where she received a Master of Science in Education Administration and Supervision and was accepted into the Phi Delta Kappa organization. She has also participated in Harvard University's Graduate School of Education in the Principals' Center for Critical Issues of Urban Education, completed a three-year Partnership for the Prevention of Violence Training Program at the Harvard School of Public Health, and studied at NOVA Southeastern University.

Ms. Baker is now a senior staff member at the Edward R. Murrow High School Special Education Department. Her teaching career has spanned the spectrum of the education profession from teaching the gifted and talented to the emotionally, neurologically and physically challenged. In addition, she has been certified by the New York State Department of Education, as an Impartial Hearing Officer, to adjudicate cases on special education problems. In her spare time, Ms. Baker taught at CUNY La Guardia Community College in a specially funded program to provide academic

and career curricula for developmentally delayed adults. She has also begun working with Dr. Michael Carrera, pioneer child advocate and sexuality expert, who inspired her to serve as a member of the Murrow HIV/AIDS health Resource team.

While Ms. Baker continues to be a source of inspiration and support to fellow professionals, paraprofessionals, interns and parents, she is committed to pursuing excellence in academic performance for her students and other teenagers outside of the Murrow community. She also addresses health, safety, moral issues and personal growth of those in her learning community and interacts with community service and agencies to advocate for students and their families.

As an educator, Ms. Baker has avowed a personal commission to touch the lives of all her students by encouraging their ability to fulfill their hopes and dreams in the pursuit of personal, academic and social excellence. In fact, she secured donations from the private sector to establish the novel ``Angel Network'' in order to provide disadvantaged young women with contemporary, designer outfits and accessories, at no cost, for their proms, graduations and various other affairs.

Above all, her mission, established during childhood, to inspire young persons to follow in her footsteps, remains strong and for these reasons we honor her today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John I. Southerland for his loyal service to the community.

John I. Southerland was born in Sanford, N.C. to the late Annie Bell Southerland. He graduated from W.B. Wicker High School in 1959, then relocated to New Jersey and later to Brooklyn, N.Y. He is married to Eva Thomas Southerland and they are the proud parents of Jonathan Southerland, Stephanie Southerland-Raimer and Nydia Southerland.

In 1968, Mr. Southerland joined the New York City Police Department. During his 27 years with the department, he earned numerous commendations and certificates. He received the Certificate of Merit for 27 years of service and a Certificate of Attendance, which is given to staff members who had not been late or absent for five more years. After retiring from the Police Department in 1995, he pursued his interest in fire safety. He then received a certificate and worked as a fire safety officer in the World Trade Center until September 11. Also during the 1990's, Mr. Southerland was installed as a Deacon, by the late Rev. Dr. Paul C. Hayes, at Mercy Seat Baptist Church of Brooklyn.

In 2001, Mr. Southerland turned his attention to community advocacy. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Community Action Project (CAP), a community organization located in East Flatbush. As a board member, he has met with local politicians to lobby against fraudulent immigration services and rampant illegal truck traffic. Currently, he and the board strive to sustain the area's economic growth through better coordination of city services, specifically sanitation and police. He is also attending Queens College to broaden his understanding of political activism to better serve his community.

Mr. Southerland is an active member of local DC 37. He was chosen as a delegate to go to Albany to meet with state representative to discuss issues pertaining to the union and its members.

He continues to show commitment to the community by visiting the sick and helping senior citizens. He is always willing to share a smile and words of encouragement with everyone he meets. As a result, Mr. Speaker, today we acknowledge John I. Southerland, an asset to the community.