[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR ``BUTCH'' NILES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Arthur ``Butch'' Niles. 
Arthur H. Niles was born and raised in Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant 
village, where just about the entire village raised him. ``Butch'' as 
family and friends lovingly know him, was born smack dab in the middle 
of 14 children, parented by Anton and Lillian Niles. He attended P.S. 
44, J.H.S. 35 and Boy's High School. Since he was an outstanding 
athlete, his basketball skills helped him earn the Four Friends' 
scholarships to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia where 
he captained the team his entire 4 years. Mr. Niles graduated from the 
Virginia Union University with Bachelors degree in Sociology as well as 
achieved lifetime membership to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
  After a brief stint in the Eastern Professional Basketball League, 
playing for the Scranton Miners, a minor league team of Boston Celtics, 
``Butch'' return to Bedford Stuyvesant. Along with a few of his 
brothers and the community friends, he organized the original legendary 
``Soul in The Hole'' Basketball tournament. This activity became a 
sports and cultural extravaganza for youth and their families that 
occurs every summer and features African Dancers, drummers, poetry 
readings and great ball games.
  Butch has always had a revolving respect with the people of central 
Brooklyn, especially the youth. He always felt that the power of the 
people could be realized most effectively by fostering a mutually 
trusting relationship with the youth.
  After meeting Lucille Rose in the early 1970s, Arthur is credited for 
organizing the first Bedford Stuyvesant Central Youth Council, Inc. He 
met George Glee and Margo Butts at Vanguard Urban Improvement 
Association Inc., where he was employed as a Coordinator. Arthur worked 
with the young men and Margo worked with the young ladies and together 
they improved the lives of thousands of young people, many of whom went 
on to be accountants, teachers, union leaders and other professionals. 
Mr. Niles is in his 26th year with the agency, during his tenure he has 
placed over 500 youth from Bedford Stuyvesant in primarily Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities, developed a culinary School and 
created the safe Passage for central Brooklyn teens.
  He developed 21 units of affordable housing through the 1661 Macon 
Houses L.P and manages another 105 units in Bedford Stuyvesant. Other 
developments include SUNY Downstate Medical Satellite and Interfaith 
Medical Center. He is a member of Community Board #3 serving on the By-
law's, Land Use and Economic Development committees. He is also a 
member of Bedford Stuyvesant Economic and Physical Development task 
force. For his outstanding devotion to community service Butch has 
received numerous awards over the years like the Community Leadership 
Award from the Borough President, the Continuous Service Award from 
Omega Psi Phi, the Youth Development Award from the Mayor's Office, and 
the Businessman of the year '04 from the Republican Congressional 
Committee.
  Arthur and his wife Margo have 2 grown children. His hobbies include 
travel, collecting jazz, playing golf and tennis and of course watching 
basketball. Mr. Speaker, Arthur ``Butch'' Niles has continuously worked 
towards improving the lives of the youth of the community as well as 
his commitment and generosity in helping others has made him more than 
worthy of our recognition today.

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