[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 28 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E339-E340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       IN TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH WATTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, on March 19, 2002 the Council of Senior and 
Centers and Services of New York City will host a surprise retirement 
party for Joseph Watts. At the risk of spoiling the surprise, I rise 
today to pay my personal tribute to a remarkable community leader. Mr. 
Joseph Watts has proven to be an exceptional person committed to the 
pursuit of a successful career and giving back to the community 
throughout his life. In 1962 he graduated from the American Academy of 
Funeral Service in the State of New York and embarked upon a successful 
career in Funeral Service. Mr. Watts has contributed a great deal to 
the comfort of the bereaved in New York. Since the 1970's he has been a 
member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Funeral Directors 
Association and Regional Governor of District 6 of the New York State 
Funeral Directors Association. He has also served as an often honored 
and recognized leader of many national and international associations 
of Funeral Directors. These professional honors have recognized the 
extraordinary contribution that Mr. Watt has made throughout his 
professional life to his chosen profession and to his community as 
well.
  Among the professional honors Mr. Watts received are: New York State 
Funeral Director of the Year in 1981; a report for President Carter on 
Funeral Industry and Federal Trade Commission with impact on small 
businesses; the International Order of the Golden Rule for ``Service to 
the Community and Profession''; honored by the White House On Social 
Security: ``The Long View--The Effect of Social Security Reforms on the 
Homeless, Poor and

[[Page E340]]

Children''; and International Funeral Directors Association award as 
Funeral Director of the Decade.
  His excellent reputation in his field has led him to be appointed to 
various positions in different organizations, such as Chairman of the 
New York State Funeral Directors Advisory Board, Vice-President of the 
Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, and Board 
Member of Retired Senior Volunteer People (R.S.V.P.).
  Mr. Watts has been an important part of many community associations 
such as the Rotary Club in Upper Manhattan, the Washington Heights/
Inwood Chamber of Commerce, the Washington Heights/Inwood Development 
Corporation and many others. In every organization of which he is a 
member, Mr. Watts has given his time to leave a positive mark on the 
communities or people he has worked with. His legacy has been so 
extraordinary in these communities that he has been honored by most of 
them.
  The Harlem Boys Choir has honored Mr. Watts for the Creation of Adopt 
a Child in 1984. He also received the Washington Heights/Inwood Chamber 
of Commerce Man of the Year Award in 1984. In 1985 he received the 
Community Resident Award from the Police Department of New York City 
for donation of Police Vests to the 34th Precinct.
  Mr. Watts' exemplary career and many contributions make him much 
deserving of the honor and tribute that will be paid to him by his many 
friends and colleagues on the 19th of March of 2002.

                          ____________________