[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the Westchester-Putnam Affirmative Action 
Program is a non-profit, nonpartisan, interracial organization 
dedicated to providing job training and finding employment in the 
construction trades for minorities, women, and the economically 
disadvantaged. It is comprised of representatives of the construction 
trades, building contractors, minority and women's groups and is 
celebrating its 25th anniversay as a successful force for bringing 
minorities, women, and others into the construction trade.
  It has placed more than 4,000 such people in construction related 
jobs throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties. It administers the 
only federally approved hometown plan to achieve compliance for the 
Executive order requiring minimum goals for the employment of women and 
minorities in the bicounty area.
  I am proud to say that all of its placements are from among the poor, 
bringing these people in the mainstream of productivity.
  W-PAAP is celebrating by paying tribute to the Joseph T. Jackson 
Training Center and the man it was named after. The late Joseph T. 
Jackson was the first black master mechanic in the Nation.
  Also being honored are those who helped make W-PAAP a success: the 
NYS Department of Labor, Westchester County, Con Edison, the 
contractors and labor unions, and original board members Virginia 
Monahan, Orial Redd, Napoleon Holmes, and Thomas Green.
  The success of W-PAAP is an inspiration to all and I give them my 
congratulations for all they have accomplished.

                          ____________________