[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LLOYD WILLIAMS: A HARLEM VISIONARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Mr. 
Lloyd A. Williams, an influential business and community leader who, 
for the past 30 years, has worked tenaciously toward the overall 
improvement and economic revitalization of Harlem. His contributions to 
the cultural life of our community have played a fundamental role in 
the renewal of Northern Manhattan.
  For over 25 years, Mr. Williams has served as President of The 
Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating its 105th year 
of positive and productive influence in the community. With over 1,700 
members, including several Fortune 500 companies, the Chamber's 
activism far exceeds the borders of New York City. The Chamber's 
primary focus is the improvement of the economic climate of Upper 
Manhattan while emphasizing the needs of the business, educational and 
cultural sectors.
  The Chairman of Harlem Week, Inc. and the Harlem Jazz & Music 
Festival, Mr. Williams was a co-founder of the event dating back to its 
inception in 1974. Now the largest festival of its kind in the 
Northeast, the event, which began as a one-day festival, now spans an 
entire month and attracts over 3 million visitors. Harlem Week draws 
thousands of vendors from across the country, generating millions of 
dollars for the economies of Harlem and New York City.

  Mr. Williams is a co-founder of the National Black Sports & 
Entertainment Hall of Fame. Since its creation, the group has inducted 
25 extraordinary African-American sports and entertainment figures each 
year, while recognizing outstanding contributions by performers of all 
races. Former inductees include Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte, Dionne 
Warwick, Joe Cuba, Julius ``Dr. J'' Irving and many others.
  Mr. Williams is also the acting President of the Greater Harlem 
Housing Development Corporation, a group dedicated to attracting 
businesses and professional persons to relocate to the upper Manhattan 
area. The Development Corporation recently completed construction of 
``Strivers Garden'', a residential and business complex that is 
expected to encourage further growth in Harlem.
  Recently, Mr. Williams was honored for his tireless philanthropic 
efforts at the Museum of the City of New York's annual exhibition 
titled: ``Harlem is .  .  . Activism''. Joining Mr. Williams as 
awardees were Basil A. Paterson, Dr. Muriel Petioni and Percy E. 
Sutton.
  It is the ever-growing list of accomplishments and works of 
excellence that defines Lloyd Williams as a leader in his community. 
Truly a pioneer in both the fields of culture and commerce, he has 
managed to harmoniously unite the two, providing opportunities for 
Harlem residents to thrive. There is no question that the long-term 
impact of Mr. Williams's successes will reach far into the future. The 
Harlem community, indeed all of New York City, owes a debt of gratitude 
to Lloyd Williams.

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