[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A BEACON-OF-HOPE FOR ALL AMERICANS: ASQUITH REID

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, with the 1996 election behind us, this Nation 
has completed another cycle for the ongoing democratic process which 
makes America great. The electoral process and the public officials 
selected through this process are invaluable assets in our quest to 
promote the general welfare and to guarantee the right to life, 
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is important, however, Mr. 
Speaker, that we also give due recognition to the equally valuable 
contribution of nonelected leaders throughout our Nation. The fabric of 
our society is generally enhanced and enriched by the hard work done 
year after year by ordinary volunteer citizens. Especially in our inner 
city communities which suffer from long public policy neglect, local 
grassroots leaders provide invaluable service. These are men and women 
who engage in activities which generate hope. I salute all such heroes 
and heroines as Beacons-of-Hope.
  Asquith Reid is one of these Beacons-of-Hope residing in the central 
Brooklyn community of New York City and New York State. While Asquith 
Reid has served as an electrical engineer employed with the telephone 
industry, most of his time is spent as a political engineer. He has 
guided campaigns for district 18 school board candidates; for 
Assemblyman Nick Perry; Councilwoman Una Clark; and Congressman Major 
R. Owens.
  Mr. Reid's most recent victory was the triumphant election of John 
Sampson for New York State Senator. Undoubtedly, Mr. Reid's political 
engineering has yet to reach its peak.
  Throughout the years, Asquith Reid has worked diligently in top 
positions to the benefit of his community. He currently serves as 
chairman of the New Era Democratic Club; vice chair of District 17 
Neighborhood Advisory Board; board member for the Husain Institute of 
Technology; and president of the Donna Reid Memorial Education Fund.
  Mr. Reid was born in Hanover, Jamaica. He graduated from Kingston 
Technical High School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 
1967. He later graduated from Kingston Technical College with a degree 
in electrical engineering. Asquith and his wife, Dean, are the proud 
parents of two children, Michelle and Sharon.
  Asquith Reid is a Beacon-of-Hope for central Brooklyn and for all 
Americans.

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