[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 40 (Monday, April 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO PATRICIA DEANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Patricia 
Deans, a decorator, designer, economist, coordinator, organizer and 
entrepreneur. I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing her 
accomplishments.
  Patricia was born in Wilson, NC in 1941 and is the oldest daughter of 
Samuel and Helen Ruth Reid. Patricia graduated from Charles H. Darden 
High School and moved to New York in 1959. In September 1963, she 
graduated from Adelphi Business School and began working in the health 
care profession where she remained for 30 years. She is the mother of 
three children, Sharon, Walter and Sean, and the proud grandmother of 
nine grandchildren.
  As a community advocate, she is involved with the following 
organizations: National Association for the Study of African-American 
Life and History; National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, state 
coordinator; Solid Waste Advisory Board, SWAB, Brooklyn Borough 
President's appointment May, 1996; Glenmore Plaza Tenant's Association, 
president; Brownsville Heritage House Inc., first vice president; Faith 
Hope and Charity Community Services, Inc., secretary; Brooklyn Public 
Library Friends Group; Stone Avenue and Brownsville Branches; Multi-
Cultural Committee for District 23, member; Youthbuild Brownsville, 
member.
  Patricia's art exhibits have touched both children and senior 
citizens. Mt. Ararat-Presentation Church Community Senior Citizen 
Center exhibited her art during its Thanksgiving Convocation for 
resident leaders.
  Patricia's work, which has a multi-cultural focus--Kwanzaa, Dr. 
Martin Luther King's Celebration, Hispanic Heritage and Black History 
Month to name a few--is also exhibited at the Brownsville Heritage 
House. Founded by Mother Rosetta Gaston in March 1981 at the age of 96, 
Brownsville Heritage House was to be a beacon of hope to the 
Brownsville Community. Patricia's commitment is to safeguard and 
enhance the work started by Mother Gaston. One of Patricia's greatest 
objectives is to see Brownsville Heritage House become to Brooklyn what 
the Schomburg Center is to Harlem. She desires to see children take 
advantage of the rich heritage contained within its walls. Patricia 
wants more people to become aware that Brownsville Heritage House, 
located on the third floor of the Stone Avenue Branch Library, is the 
first library built for children and therefore should have landmark 
status.
  Patricia's art graced the Fort Greene Senior Citizen Center and other 
venues around the city as well as a library dedication at PS/IS 332, 
which was attended by the former first lady of New York City, Mrs. 
Joyce Dinkins along with other dignitaries.
  Patricia's strong belief in improving the quality of life in urban 
and rural environment led her into becoming an entrepreneur in July 
1994. She saw the need for community based partnerships to provide 
opportunities for the elderly, the children and the homeless. By 
pooling resources, sharing gifts and talents, the end results will 
provide multiple opportunities and empowerment for this population.
  To further this quest, Patricia conducts workshops, consults on arts, 
education, restoration and environmental community development through 
the use of intergenerational instruction.
  Mr. Speaker, Patricia Dean's selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes her most 
worthy of our recognition today.

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