[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E378-E379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO HELEN JORDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Helen Jordan, 
a distinguished member of the Brooklyn community. It behooves us to pay 
tribute to this outstanding

[[Page E379]]

leader and I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing her 
impressive accomplishments.
  Helen Jordan has been a MSW caseworker that counseled substance-
abusing mothers, an administrative supervisor and a Program Director at 
the New York Urban League's child welfare programs. For almost twenty 
years, she has worked with and for the families in East Flatbush, East 
New York and Brownsville communities of Brooklyn. The New York Urban 
League's mission ``. . . to promote opportunities and to help African 
Americans, individuals, families and communities achieve their full 
potential . . .'' is the mission that Helen has adopted for herself.
  Born in New York City, 75 years ago, to Addie and Pearlie Thomas of 
South Carolina, Helen is the oldest of three children. Her father and 
mother, janitors for various Harlem tenements, taught Helen that 
education was the key to liberation and she never let go of the vision 
of a college education. Helen earned a Bachelor's degree in Social 
Welfare and a Master's degree in Social Work at Adelphi University's 
School of Social Work after she had married Eugene Jordan and their 
four children Stephanie, Eugene III, Vance and Kevin, were adults. She 
has 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A Licensed Clinical 
Social Worker, she thinks that no one should ever stop learning. Helen 
still attends conferences and workshops related to her work. God has 
worked many wonders in her life including the privilege of being the 
Program Director at Service to Families and the Chairperson of the 
Brownsville-East New York Child Welfare Neighborhood Network and she 
gives Him all the praise and honor. She is a member of the Greater 
Allen Cathedral in Jamaica. NY.
  Helen has had memberships in several organizations that advocate for 
children and families to be the very best that they can be such as The 
Black Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, which educated communities 
and organizations about the results of child abuse and neglect; 
National Association of Social Workers; National Association of Black 
Social Workers; National Black Child Development Institute, an 
organization that educates educators about the importance of a child's 
education; Coalition of Brooklyn Program Directors; New York Foster 
Care Reform Initiative, an organization that seeks to transform the 
educational training of foster care parents; African American Task 
Force Against Violence Towards Women; Neighborhood Family Services 
Coalition; and the Institute for Community Living, Inc.'s Neighborhood 
Advisory Board. She is also a member of the 369th Kermit Drowery Ladies 
Auxiliary.
  ``Giving back'' is very important to Helen. She has been a field 
instructor and a faculty advisor to many social work students at 
various graduate schools. She has also been an adjunct professor at 
Adelphi University's School of Social Work's Manhattan Center.
  At 75 years of age, Helen says that although there is a lot of work 
being done to improve the lives of our children and their families, 
there is still so much more work to be done, that she has no idea when 
she will retire.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize 
the accomplishments of Helen Jordan, as she offers her talents and 
community services for the good of our local communities.
  Mr. Speaker, Helen Jordan's selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes her most 
worthy of our recognition today.

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