Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight the many accomplishments of Vidal Rivera Maldonado. Vidal was born in Ponce, PR on September 6, 1946, to the late Natividad and Isabel Maldonado. He is the fourth of nine children. Vidal and his family arrived in New York in 1955. Vidal is a product of the New York City Public School System, where he attended P.S. 180 and graduated in 1965 from Benjamin Franklin High School. From 1967 to 1970 he served in the U.S. Marines, spending 13 months in the Republic of Vietnam. When he returned, he met and married Adalisa Padilla; they are the proud parents of three boys and two girls. Vidal received a liberal arts degree from New York Technical College in 1978. In his varied career, Vidal has worked for various Supreme Court judges. Vidal is affectionately known as the beverage man because of his work with beverage companies. He is the district sales manager with the Good-O-Beverage Co. Vidal spends much of his free time devoted to the game of baseball. Every weekend during the baseball season, Vidal can be found at the East New York/Transit Tech baseball field coaching semi-professional teams. Vidal and his family have lived in the East New York section of Brooklyn for the past 26 years, and are members of St. Fortunata Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Ms. Queenie Mary Wooten. Queenie hails from South Carolina. She was born to James and Estella Hunt Corley, and was part of a large, close family. Queenie attributes her success in life to her family, her late husband James Wooten, and her fiance, Dr. Raymond B. Croskey. Queenie was educated initially in South Carolina, but graduated from Girls High School in Brooklyn. She received her AAS degree from New York Community College, and her bachelor of science degree from Medgar Evers College. Ms. Wooten has served in a variety of professional capacities working with children in and outside of the public school system. She currently serves as an associate educational officer in Community School District 19, and is a coordinator of facilities maintenance and temporary housing. Additionally, Queenie is assisting with developing short- and long-range plans for the zoning of School District 19. Queenie is involved in a number of educational, civic, religious, legislative, professional, and social activities. She is the founder of the Priscilla Wooten Educational Society. Additionally, she is a member of Community Planning Board 5, and is an active member of Grace Baptist Church, which is pastored by Rev. Jacob N. Underwood, Sr. A recipient of numerous awards for community involvement, I am pleased to recognize Ms. Queenie Mary Wooten.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Val Arturo Henry for his yeoman's work to improve his community, and his pursuit of individual excellence. Val was born in Colon, Republic of Panama, and immigrated to New York City when he was 2 years old. Val attended public and secondary schools in Brooklyn and graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School as a National Merit Scholar. He obtained his undergraduate degree in economics from Bucknell University. He than attended Fordham Law School, served as president of the Black Law Students Association, and passed the New York State Bar. general law practice. He has also been associated with the law firms of Cichanowicz and Callan; and Simpson and Levitsky. Val is a member of numerous associations, including the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Bar of the City of New York, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and the New York County Bar. He also serves on the boards of directors of Bedford Stuyvesant Legal Services Corp. and the Community Alliance for Youth Action. He is a member of Community Board 9 and serves on the Judicial Screening Committee for Kings and Richmond Counties. Val also serves as chancellor to his church, St. Georges Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, and sits on the Committee for Canons for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. Married for the last 19 years to the former Deborah Ellen Corbett, Van and his wife have a son, Kairi William, a sophomore at Hampton University, and a daughter, Nia Elena, who is enrolled at Montessori Academy in Brooklyn. The success achieved by Val Henry, he acknowledges, is due to his parents, Earl and Esther Henry of Tampa, FL, his brother Delano C. Henry, and his sister Lydia Manrow. I am pleased to introduce my colleagues to Val Arturo Henry.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am fortunate to have constituents within my district who are committed to their community and passionate about their participation in the political process. Marilyn Mosley exemplifies the previously listed qualities. She serves as the assistant to the Brooklyn Borough president. In her capacity she is responsible for maintaining relations between that office and various community boards in the borough. Born in Brooklyn, Marilyn is a product of the New York City Public School system. Marilyn was a member of the Girls High School class of 1959, and was voted ``most likely to succeed'' by her classmates. She later earned a bachelor of science degree from Morgan State University, where she majored in mathematics. Marilyn began her professional career at P.S. 29, the same school from which she graduated. Teaching sixth grade at P.S. 29 was particularly rewarding for her because she was able to serve alongside her former teacher and mentor, the late Clara Cardwell. Marilyn has served the school system in several teaching, supervisory, and administrative capacities. While teaching, Marilyn attended graduate school, graduating from City College summa cum laude with a master's degree in science and mathematics education. She earned a second master's degree in educational administration and supervision. Marilyn was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary fraternity for student maintaining summa cum laude status at the graduate level. Marilyn's achievements have been recognized by a host of groups and organizations. She has received numerous awards such as the PTA award for Excellence in Teaching, Educator of the Year, Woman of the Year, and citations from the New York City Council and the New York State Legislature. Marilyn's accomplishments are a testament to her interest, effort, and commitment to improving the quality of life for Brooklyn residents who consistently cite her for work well done.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Richard Oliver Ward for his vast contributions to the community. Richard was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 24 to Evaney and Joseph. His family consists of five sisters and three brothers. When Richard was 12 years old, the family moved to Brooklyn, NY. Richard is a product of the New York City public school system. After arriving in Brooklyn, he attended P.S. 94 and later graduated from Charles E. Hughes High School. After high school, Richard enrolled in the Cooking Food of Marathon School. But Richard's first love was always music. He started by playing drums in the church choir, but soon put them aside and began spinning records as a disc jockey. Richard worked at clubs throughout Brooklyn, singlehandedly moving his equipment from engagement to engagement. Word quickly spread that this young man from Jamaica possessed an unusual talent for spinning records. From salsa to calypso to the electric slide Richie Rich mixed it all effortlessly. Richard has been employed since 1983 with the Police Athletic League [PAL]. He enjoys all sports and is an amateur body builder. He especially loves working with children. Richard resides in the East Flatbush edition of Brooklyn and is the proud father of two children; Amanda, who is 12 years old, and Richard, Jr., who is 1 year old.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Condit], a member of the committee. (Mr. CONDIT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any further requests for time. I would like to encourage all of my colleagues to vote for this bill because I think it is a much better bill after conference than it was when it left here. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas].

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Engel].

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arkansas [Mrs. Lincoln]. [Mrs. LINCOLN addressed the House. Her remarks will appear hereafter in the Extensions of Remarks.]

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant]. (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Tauzin].

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report on S. 1, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, and I would note that the ranking member of the committee, Mrs. Collins, also supports the conference report. Mr. Speaker, as one of the authors of the bipartisan mandates legislation that passed the Government Operations Committee last year with broad bipartisan support, it was with great reluctance that I opposed the House bill this year. Unfortunately, the majority members of the Government Reform Committee rushed through a bill that was drafted in secret, and gave the minority almost no opportunity to review it. regulatory excesses. It simply went too far. The Conference Committee spent 7 weeks rewriting the bill, and the result is an agreement that I believe we all can support: Under the agreement on judicial review, special interests cannot tie up regulations. Congress retains the final say over whether agencies can end mandates depending on the level of appropriations. Other provisions were clarified and tightened. Let me state that as a result, the Conference Report is not too different from last year's bill. Mr. Speaker, let me say that this bill addresses the major concerns of the State and local elected officials with whom we have been working with over the past several years. It guarantees that Congress has a full and open debate on the costs to State and local governments before it passes legislation mandating any new and costly requirements. Before I reserve the balance of my time, I would like to thank the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger], for the outstanding job that he did. I also would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman], who worked very hard to make this day a reality. I also would like to thank the ranking member of the full committee, the gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins], for her work and leadership in this area as well, who worked very hard to strengthen the bill to make it better. I also would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran], who kept this alive over the past few years, and the gentleman from California [Mr. Condit], who also worked very, very hard to bring us to where we are today. I also would like to thank the staff of both committees and, of course, who worked and put a lot of time and energy in to help us to strengthen this bill. So I would like to thank them, too. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran], a member who kept this issue alive during the 103d Congress and came into the 104th Congress fighting to strengthen it because he felt that unfunded mandates was very, very important.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, there is a very special woman in Brooklyn named Sylvia Stovall, who is a district administrator in district 13. Sylvia is also a consistent advocate on behalf of children. Her concern for the emotional and academic welfare of students is reflected in the mentoring she has done with young men and women, many of whom have graduated from college and experienced successful careers. Sylvia attended North Carolina Central University, and graduated respectively from Brooklyn and Bank Street College. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree. Ms. Stovall is a member of the board of directors of the Cypress Hills Local Development Corp. located in Brooklyn, and she was recently honored as one of the unsung heroes and heroines of our community by the Harriet Tubman club at the First A.M.E. Zion Church in Brooklyn. It is my pleasure to highlight her contributions to Brooklyn.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the life of Ruby Weston of Brooklyn, NY. Mrs. Weston is an administrator for the Marcus Garvey Nursing Home in Brooklyn. She toils unselfishly to provide for the needs of the patients at the nursing home. Mrs. Weston's generous and caring nature are reflective in her management style. Prior to serving as a nursing home administrator, Ruby Weston was a realty specialist for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mrs. Weston received her bachelor's of professional studies from Pace University, and her master's in public administration from Long Island University. She holds licenses in nursing home administration, real estate, and insurance. Mrs. Weston is married to Dr. Peter Weston, and they are parents to five children. She and her husband reside in Brooklyn. I would like to commend her to my colleagues for her work with the Brooklyn elderly.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, many of us are public servants, but some of us are God's servant. Mrs. Ann Lawson is indeed one of God's servants. Born in Florence, SC, she later moved to New Jersey. At an early age she professed her love and devotion to her Lord and joined New Jerusalem Baptist Church. In 1980 she joined New Canaan Baptist Church under the pastorship of the late Dr. Augustus Leon Cunningham. During the same period she met Rev. Richard J. Lawson and they were married. After the death of Dr. Cunningham, Dr. Lawson was installed as the new pastor of the church. As the first lady of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Mrs. Lawson has been actively involved in various church affairs. Mrs. Lawson is involved in numerous church activities. She is the acting supervisor for the red circle missionary department, the South Carolina club, and serves as the chairperson for the Woman of the Year Awards. Mrs. Lawson shares her unbridled energy, faith, and love with everyone, especially children. It is my pleasure to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of a remarkable woman, Mrs. Ann Lawson.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge Ms. Elinore Mandell, a native of Brooklyn. Ms. Mandell was born, reared and educated in Brooklyn. Her children are products of the public school system. And her grandchildren currently attend public school. Elinore Mandell has always been concerned about the quality of life for children. Her concern and devotion was quite evident during her children's formative years when she participated in various community activities. She served as an assistant leader for both the Brownies and Girl Scouts, and as a den mother for the Cub Scouts. And she also held a number of positions in the parents association. In 1980 Elinore moved to East New York/Starrett City and ran successfully for membership on the district 19 school board, where she served for 10 years. She retired from the school board in 1993. Elinore is employed by Assemblyman Anthony Genovesi as his administrative assistant, and has ably served him for the past 20 years.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the contributions of Susan Pinto who was born and raised in Brooklyn. Susan is that rare person who travels to the beat of a different drummer. She attended parochial elementary and secondary schools, and graduated from Brooklyn College. After completing college, she began performing drug-free treatment work. Susan helped design and open treatment and prevention programs in East New York, Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Sheepshead Bay, and Canarsie. She is a certified substance abuse counselor [CSAC]. Susan is a woman of commitment to everything she is involved in, particularly her immediate, extended family, and circle of friends. Her other endeavors include work in real estate sales and management, construction, and Gaston Democratic Club, and the interfaith auxiliary. I am proud to commend her to my House colleagues.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, in my district I am fortunate to have individuals dedicated to helping the Brooklyn community. Beverly Twitty personifies this kind of dedication. Beverly is a native New Yorker, educated in the New York City public school system. She attended Brooklyn College and New York University where she earned a B.A. degree and two masters degrees respectively. Beverly is involved in many community activities and has been very active for many years with the Girl Scouts and the American Red Cross. She is a former member of Operation Bread Basket, the economic arm of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Beverly Twitty is a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church and continues to be an inspiration to the community. I am proud to recognize Beverly Twitty for her unyielding dedication to the Brooklyn community.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, in my district I am fortunate to have business people who are dedicated to supporting the community. Arlene Suarez is one such person. Arlene was born and raised in New York City and attended Mother Cabrini High. She then attended New York Institute of Technology where she majored in Computer Science and Business Management. Arlene has been employed by Good Paz Development Corp. [Good Paz] as managing director for commercial properties for the past 7 years. As the liaison between the Good Paz Corp. and the Bedford-Stuyvesant community she has been actively involved in the reopening of the Paz Williamsburg Center. As a certified New York City Fire Safety Director, Arlene has consistently ensured stellar safety performances by all individuals who work with the Good Paz Development Corp. I am honored to recognize Arlene Suarez for her professionalism and dedication.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, in my district I am fortunate to have people who provide assistance to members of the community who wish to pursue their eduction. Marietta Small is illustrative of that type of educator. Marietta is chairperson of the Husain Institute of Technology [HIT] which provides excellent computer technical training to adults and mathematics and english training to elementary students of the local community. Marietta was appointed to community board No. 17 in recognition of her assiduous performance and exemplary track record in community affairs. She was elected to the office of State committeewoman of the 42d assembly district in September, 1986, where she served until 1992. Due to reapportionment she was redistricted into the newly created 58th assembly district, where she successfully ran for State committeewoman and is presently serving her second term. I am honored to recognize Marietta Small for her relentless dedication to helping the community.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce to my colleagues Teresa Audrey Moore, a tireless community servant. Ms. Moore was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She moved to New York in 1941 and worked for Brooklyn Union Gas until her retirement in 1985. Ms. Moore has been very active since she retired. She has been involved in Area policy board No. 5, is a member of community board No. 5, works on the board of elections, and is treasurer of Central Brooklyn A.A.R.P. chapter No. 4171. Additionally, she is a member of the senior advisory committee for the department of aging and the State of New York. Teresa also volunteers her time at Pink Senior Center and at East Brooklyn High School where she positively impacts the lives of young people. When she is not performing labors of love, Ms. Moore is attending to the needs of her 3 children, 12 grandchildren, and 8 great- grandchildren. Teresa Moore exemplifies the ideal of public service and community involvement. I am proud to recognize her for devoted and unconditional service.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Ms. Betty J. Williams. Ms. Williams was born August 6, 1944, in Hodges, SC. She is the oldest of six children born to Lawrence and Agnes Williams. Ms. Williams is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University where she received her B.S. She later received her M.S. in social work from Columbia University, and her J.D. from New York Law School. A committed community activist and worker, Ms. Williams is involved in numerous projects. She is the founding member of the World Community of Social Workers, and was instrumental in promoting a pilot program that utilized retired educators to serve as advocates for special education parents. Her numerous organizational affiliations include the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, New York Law School Alumni Association, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Ms. Williams is a woman of abundant talents and accomplishments, and I am pleased to introduce her to my colleagues.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Avellar Hansley. She was born in Peachland, NC, and attended high school in Polkton, NC. She and her husband are the parents of three daughters. Mrs. Avellar considers her husband as her primary source of support and encouragement. When Mrs. Hansley arrived in New York City in 1953, she sought to increase her training and to obtain work in the securities and stocks and bonds industry. She secured work with Chemical Bank and retired from Chemical Bank in 1991. She is the founder and president of the Linden-Bushwick Block Association, and is directly responsible for transforming city-owned vacant lots into a beautiful Greenthumb Program flower and vegetable garden. Mrs. Hansley is also dedicated to community service. Avellar Hansley is a 9-year member of Community Board Nine in Brooklyn, in addition to the Eastern Star organization, the Local Area Policy Board, and the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church of Brooklyn. I commend her service to the community of Brooklyn.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a very special person, Mrs. Venola Williams, a native of Camden, NC. She moved to New York in 1955 and joined the Berean Missionary Church where she is still an active member. She participates in the gospel ensemble and the pastor's aide club. For a number of years Mrs. Williams was employed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. In 1986, she became a pre-K family assistant for the board of education in district 19. Venola supports many community activities, including voter registration, the NAACP, and the Berean Vacation Bible School. Venola is the proud mother of three daughters, and the grandmother of seven. Her mother Lona Mae Bright, and her grandmother Elnora Ferebee, who is 99 years old, are her daily sources of inspiration. I am proud to recognize her contributions to the community.