[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF VIVIAN BECKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Vivian Becker on the 
occasion of her retirement from the Pratt Area Community Council 
(PACC).
  In 1989, Vivian Becker was appointed Executive Director of PACC--then 
a 25-year-old three-employee community organization dedicated to 
improving the community. Today, under Vivian's leadership PACC now 
stands out as a leading community-based organization with a revenue 
stream of $3 million a year as well as a full-time staff of more than 
thirty people and a host of community volunteers and intems. PACC has 
not just grown; it has flourished through Vivian's hard work, 
dedication, and fine leadership.
  Vivian saw the tremendous potential in PACC and in the community and 
has done an outstanding job in using both to their mutual advantage. 
Through tenant and community organizing, Vivian and PACC have helped 
residents in the traditionally low and moderate-income communities of 
Fort-Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bedford Stuyvesant to achieve self-
sufficiency, develop a sense of community, and attain overall 
neighborhood revitalization. They have also overseen the development of 
more than 50 buildings, which created more than 500 units of affordable 
housing for families in need.
  Moreover, under Vivian's leadership, PACC has addressed community 
issues by solving community problems. Vacant lots were turned into 
community gardens, blocks that were not organized, were organized and 
the problem of homelessness became a top priority. In addition, PACC 
has offered tenant and homeowner services as well as community economic 
development assistance.
  Mr. Speaker, Vivian Becker has spent the past thirteen years turning 
a small community organization into a powerful force that has improved 
the quality of life for everyone within their catchment area. She is a 
hard-working dedicated leader who has left an extraordinary legacy in 
Brooklyn. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving this 
recognition and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly 
outstanding community builder.

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