[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM D. PINKETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of William D. 
Pinkett, a distinguished member of the Brooklyn, New York community. It 
behooves us to pay tribute to this outstanding leader and I hope my 
colleagues will join me in recognizing his impressive accomplishments.
  William D. Pinkett was born in New Haven, Connecticut to the late 
William Sheridan and Hattie Pinkett. He is the fifth of five brothers, 
all of whom have preceded him in death.
  William (Bill as he is affectionately called by most) came to 
Brooklyn as an infant, when his parents came to New York seeking a 
better life.
  Bill was educated in the New York public school system, attending PS 
41, Junior High School 210 and Boys High School. He received his 
Bachelor of Arts Degree and Masters in Sociology from Brooklyn College. 
He also received a Masters of Science Degree in Educational Supervision 
from Pace University. In 1950, the US Army drafted Bill and he served 
in the infantry in Korea. In 1953, Bill received an honorable discharge 
and was immediately hired by the US Postal System. While working as a 
clerk at night, Bill attended graduate school and taught in the NYC 
Public Schools on a per diem basis during the day.
  After 10 years of postal employment, he assumed a fulltime career as 
classroom teacher for 22 years. He later served as an educational 
administrator at the Board of Education headquarters for the next 10 
years. Bill's tenure at the New York City Board of Education lasted 33 
years. He retired in 1991, as a licensed Senior Educational 
Administrator of Curriculum and Staff Development.
  Wherever Bill worked, he also served as a union representative in 
those titles. Upon retirement at the Board it was to be expected that 
he would become an elected officer in the Retired School Supervisors 
Chapter of the Council of Supervisors and Administrators (CSA). In his 
capacity as a Trustee of the CSA Retiree Welfare fund, Bill continues 
to serve as a champion for the rights and benefits for retirees of his 
former union.
  Given Bill's leadership abilities, it was not a surprise that he was 
elected Chairman of the City-Wide Council of Municipal Retiree 
Organizations (COMRO), which is comprised of retirees from over 40 New 
York City unions, representing in excess of 150,000 retirees. Bill is 
completing his second term as Chairman of this distinguished 
organization of uniformed and civilian retirees, which seeks to 
maintain and improve the health benefits of all municipal retirees as 
well as keeping a watchful eye on legislation that impact upon New York 
City's five pension systems.
  Bill will be quick to tell you that whatever skills in public 
relations with workers and retirees he might have, came about because 
he learned so much from his master teacher (and late wife), New York 
City Councilwoman Mary Glover Pinkett.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize 
the accomplishments of William D. Pinkett as he offers his talents and 
services for the betterment of our local and national communities.
  Mr. Speaker, William Pinkett's selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes him most 
worthy of our recognition today.

                          ____________________