[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2034-E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A POINT-OF-LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS: JOSEPH FRANCOIS

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joseph Francois, an 
individual who has tirelessly dedicated his life to making our society 
better. This individual is directly responsible for community 
enhancement efforts that impact education, social/human services and 
health care. His vision, sincerity and competence have resulted in the 
writing of winning grant proposals and valuable research studies that 
empower the community. Mr. Joseph Francois is a great ``Point-of-
Light'' whose work must not go unappreciated or unnoticed.
  Since 1978, Mr. Francois has been chief executive officer of the 
Brownsville Community Development Corporation. He is also the project 
director of the Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center, 
responsible for the overall management of a comprehensive health 
facility. He is responsible for proposal writing, financial and 
budgetary conditions of the corporation, and is in the process of 
developing an alcoholism outpatient clinic and halfway house. Joseph 
Francois is also planning the creation of a birthing center.
  Throughout the years, Joseph Francois has worked diligently in top 
positions that he found to be beneficial to his community. He was 
personnel director of the New York City Board of Education, Community 
School District No. 23. As such, he was responsible for the employment 
of all pedagogical and administrative staff necessary for the operation 
of elementary and junior high schools in district No. 23.
  Mr. Francois served as a program analyst, responsible to the New York 
State Minority Leader for the analysis and evaluation of problems 
facing New York City and State. Recent publications on which he served 
as chief analyst included ``Study of Men's Shelter,'' and a study of 
anti-poverty programs entitled ``Serving the Poor,'' which was 
nominated for an award for outstanding legislative research and was 
jointly recommended by the then city council president, Carol Bellamy.
  Mr. Francois also served as director of operations for Wildcat 
Service Corporation in New York City where he was responsible for the 
overall management of more than 350 employees. His primary area of 
expertise is evident by his effort in creating the first health group 
in the city where community and hospital leaders jointly planned to 
coordinate health needs for the community with a private hospital in 
Brooklyn. There he acted in the capacity of chairman of the board. In 
1969, this group was known as the Brownsville Brookdale Health 
Coalition. Mr. Francois was affiliated with the Mayor's Organization 
Task Force for Comprehensive Health Planning. He also headed the Anti-
Poverty Program for Brownsville which planned and devised programs 
which assisted the community in receiving grants from the National 
Institute for Mental Health [NIMH] to run demographic studies relevant 
to community needs. He is a past member of the New York City Council 
Against Poverty.
  Mr. Speaker, Joseph Francois is truly a ``Renaissance Man'' whose 
interests and deeds extend to all critical areas of community 

[[Page E2035]]
survival and development. Mr. Francois has never hesitated to speak out 
and fight against political abuse and corruption. In 1982, Joseph 
Francois personally drove nonstop from New York City to Albany to 
deliver legal briefs to the New York State Court of Appeals in the case 
where the Kings County political machine plotted to rob congressional 
candidate Major Owens of a Democratic Party primary election victory. 
His heroic ride to meet the filing deadline resulted in the declaration 
by the State's highest court that Major Owens was unquestionably the 
winner of that 1982 election.
  Along with Mr. Francois' dedication to his community, in addition to 
his traditional educational achievements, he completed 4 years of 
theological training and was ordained a Deacon by the Diocese of 
Brooklyn and Queens.
  Married and a resident of Brooklyn, NY, Joseph Francois' 
distinguished life marks one of dedication to community, to God, and to 
family. Undoubtedly, his input in New York State legislative policy, 
outstanding research, and effective design of programs have improved 
the overall quality of life for many children, men, women, and 
families. Joseph Francois is a great ``Point-of-Light,'' not only for 
the people of his New York community, but for all of the people of 
America.

                          ____________________