[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 80 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 80

   Commending Wilfred George Gooden for his distinguished career of 
service, humanitarian efforts, and philanthropy dedicated to assisting 
              the people of Jamaica and the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 19, 2007

  Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas (for herself, Mr. Rangel, and Ms. Clarke) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Commending Wilfred George Gooden for his distinguished career of 
service, humanitarian efforts, and philanthropy dedicated to assisting 
              the people of Jamaica and the United States.

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was the last of 3 sons born to his parents on 
        February 22, 1922, in Westmoreland, Jamaica;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was brought up in a Christian home, baptized at 
        the Rollington Town Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and never forgot his 
        first love, Jesus;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden's rich baritone voice could be heard in praises as 
        he called his family and all who entered his home to worship;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden's Christ-like character was seen in his deeds and 
        in the way he treated every person he met;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden treated all persons with respect, courtesy, and 
        kindness, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, 
        political persuasion, title, or status;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden would often bring home 3 or 4 friends unannounced 
        for weekends, all of whom would be warmly received by his generous and 
        compassionate mother;
Whereas in 1944, Wilfred George Gooden traveled to the United States and settled 
        in New York City;
Whereas in New York City, Wilfred George Gooden for many years pursued and 
        enjoyed a successful career in mechanical dentistry and to this day many 
        former clients praise and express appreciation for the quality his 
        service and workmanship;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden, always on the lookout for new adventures and 
        challenges, invested in a brownstone, which needed some repairs, on West 
        142nd Street in New York City;
Whereas with much enthusiasm, Wilfred George Gooden used his knowledge of 
        plumbing (obtained as a result of his formal liberal arts education) to 
        make the repairs, thus launching a new career in the field of housing 
        rehabilitation;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden, recognizing the importance of expanding one's 
        education, knowledge, and business acumen, enrolled at City College of 
        New York and earned a certificate in building engineering;
Whereas in 1961, Wilfred George Gooden organized a general contracting company 
        with the basic purpose of renovating existing properties;
Whereas as the owner and builder of multiple dwellings, Wilfred George Gooden 
        renovated a group of old tenements into 2 and 3 bedroom, modern, class A 
        apartments;
Whereas in many areas of New York City, Wilfred George Gooden revitalized entire 
        neighborhoods, creating homes that gave and still give each dweller a 
        sense of renewed hope and dignity;
Whereas as a project manager, field superintendent, and general contractor, 
        Wilfred George Gooden renovated a 100-unit apartment complex for the 
        Maurel Realty Corporation and a 50-unit apartment complex for the 
        Almeric Realty Corporation;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden's expertise was recognized by New York Mayor David 
        Dinkins, who appointed him to help improve the city's urban housing 
        program;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden brought to this task his knack for delivering 
        quality housing in the most needy urban areas within budget and on 
        schedule;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden walked with kings and presidents (including 
        President Bill Clinton and former Jamaican Prime Ministers Norman 
        Manley, Michael Manley, Alexander Bustamante, Edward Seaga, and P. J. 
        Patterson), but he never lost the common touch;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was as at ease and at home in the company of State 
        and local government officials, leaders of the clergy, captains of 
        industry and academia, as he was with customers, clients, students, 
        friends, neighbors, and family members;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was asked to serve, and served with distinction, 
        on the Board of Directors of the Housing Board in New York, the 
        Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH) clinics in Jamaica, the 
        American Friends of Jamaica, the Concerned Committee for Christian 
        Education, and the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive 
        Organizations (NAJASO);
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was honored as a philanthropist by Message 
        Magazine in 1996 for his community service and humanitarianism;
Whereas Faith and Grant College in Huntsville, Alabama, conferred on Wilfred 
        George Gooden the degree of Doctor of Letters;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden shared his achievements by helping others to 
        succeed;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden helped innumerable Jamaicans relocating to New 
        York City to get jobs, many in his own construction company;
Whereas when housing was needed, when food was required, when winter came and 
        clothes and heat were required to keep bodies warm, Jamaicans relocating 
        to New York City and others in the community knew to call Wilfred George 
        Gooden, whose charity was virtually unbounded;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was deeply committed to the Ephesus Seventh-Day 
        Adventist Church in Manhattan, where he served as Missionary Volunteer 
        Leader, Sabbath School teacher, Sabbath School Superintendent, and 
        Chairman of the Building Committee, where he did so much to see that the 
        physical plant of the church was maintained in a manner befitting God's 
        people;
Whereas in 1980, Wilfred George Gooden established the Concerned Committee for 
        Christian Education to provide funds for the Christian education of 
        Jamaica's children;
Whereas in 1980, Wilfred George Gooden also facilitated a concert at the 
        National Arena in Jamaica featuring the Cantata Choir from New York;
Whereas the proceeds of the concert were used to refurbish and restart the New 
        Hope Preparatory School at the North Street Seventh-Day Adventist 
        Church;
Whereas the New Hope Preparatory School, which started with one teacher and 2 
        students, today has grown to 197 students, 12 teachers, and a staff of 
        5;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden, along with his wife Sybil Gooden, provided 
        scholarships for young people who would otherwise not have been able to 
        attend his alma mater, Northern Caribbean University (formerly West 
        Indies College), and personally assisted students from Jamaica, New 
        York, Alabama, and Kenya to attend college;
Whereas for 15 years, Wilfred George Gooden has arranged for summer employment 
        for many students from various Adventist colleges, thus aiding their 
        pursuit of higher and Christian education;
Whereas Jamaican students pursuing medicine, engineering, dentistry, and other 
        disciplines overseas were assured of tuition, housing, and personal 
        assistance because of the beneficence of Wilfred George Gooden, who 
        wanted to ensure that all Jamaican youth had a chance to succeed so they 
        could make a meaningful contribution to society;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden never lost affection for his native Jamaica, was 
        always ready to support Jamaica, and thought that young people from 
        Jamaica should know more about their heritage;
Whereas with the permission of the Jamaican government, Wilfred George Gooden 
        printed and distributed copies of the Jamaican constitution to every 
        high school student in Jamaica;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden brought notable Americans (such as former New York 
        Mayor David Dinkins and New York City Councilwoman Una Clarke) to the 
        campus of his alma mater, Northern Caribbean University, so that more 
        people could learn of the quality of the Jamaican educational system and 
        what his church and school were doing for the world;
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden lived by the following philosophy and creed: To 
        leave some simple mark behind, to keep his having lived in mind, to be 
        an honest generous foe, and to play any part even if the honors did not 
        fall on him;
Whereas for 57 years, the life of Wilfred George Gooden was enriched and 
        enlarged by the love, companionship, assistance, and partnership of his 
        wife, Sybil; and
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden passed away on January 6, 2007: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives commends Wilfred 
George Gooden for his distinguished career of service, humanitarian 
efforts, and philanthropy dedicated to assisting the people of Jamaica 
and the United States.
                                 <all>