[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E645-E646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO AY'TASHA T. HANTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Brooklyn 
resident Ay'Tasha T. Hanton. Ms. Hanton is the proud daughter of Edna 
M. Fulton, and Willie E. Hanton Sr., stepdaughter of Maudine Hanton, 
who she affectionately calls ``Mom.'' Ay'Tasha was born in New York 
City as the only daughter of seven children. Ay'Tasha's father expired 
when she was 1\1/2\ years old. Without the relationship of her father, 
she faced many challenges. With the loving support of her mother, 
family and friends, she matured into a strong, independent woman.
  A nine-year employee of the New York City Health and Hospitals 
Corporation, Ay'Tasha has extensive knowledge in Finance 
Administration, Policy and Procedures, Performance Improvement, Graphic 
Design, Community Affairs and Healthcare Administration. In April of 
1998, her career in health care began when she became the Coordinating 
Manager of Chemical Dependency Outpatient Services and the Mental 
Health Geriatric Program at Cumberland Diagnostic and Treatment Center 
serving the Fort Greene Community. As an Assistant to the Sr. Associate 
Director, Ay'Tasha worked diligently to aide the Chemical Dependency 
patients who strived daily to maintain sobriety from their addictions. 
She also worked attentively to aide the Geriatric population as they 
faced the uneasiness of Mental Health.
  In October of 2005, Ay'Tasha was reassigned as the NYS OASAS (Office 
of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) Administrator of Chemical 
Dependency Inpatient and Outpatient Services at Woodhull Medical

[[Page E646]]

Center, where she studied the communities' statistics.
  Recognizing her statistical talents, Ay'Tasha was given additional 
responsibilities by the Associate Executive Director of the Division of 
Chemical Dependency for the North Brooklyn Health Network in the newly 
established Performance Improvement Department, helping the Assistant 
Director in strategizing ways to support the population suffering from 
substance abuse addictions.
  Her most recent opportunity towards climbing the corporate ladder 
came in March of 2006 when she was assigned to assist the Associate 
Director of Psychiatry in restructuring Woodhull's Psychiatric 
Emergency Department. As the Administrative Manager of Psych ED, 
Consultation and Liaison Services and the Chemical Dependency Inpatient 
Detoxification Units, Ay'Tasha is also faced with the daily challenge 
of aiding the Psychiatric patients as well as encouraging, mentoring 
and challenging her staff to heightened levels, while advocating for 
the Williamsburg and Bedford Stuyvesant communities.
  Throughout her HHC career under the umbrella of the Department of 
Psychiatry, Ay'Tasha has been a member of many committees such as 
Cumberland's Open Access Team, Billing/Finance, Information Technology 
and Community Affairs.
  Ay'Tasha's walls are lined with many awards, certificates, and 
presentations as a testament of her hard work. She has also received 
extensive continuing education in Healthcare Professionalism such as 
Managerial, Administrative Assistant, Graphic Design, and the list 
continues. Ay'Tasha's most heartfelt accomplishment is her Associate of 
Arts Degree in Biblical Studies from Bethel Bible Institute. Ay'Tasha 
is presently seeking her Bachelors Degree in Health Administration.
  Ay'Tasha understands the importance of children. She nurtures her 
nieces, nephews, godchildren and a host of other youth. Not only is she 
an inspiration to children, Ay'Tasha mentors young women in her 
community. Ay'Tasha encompasses the true identity of a role model in 
today's society.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the impressive achievements 
of Ay'Tasha T. Hanton for her commitment to her community.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
this wonderful person and the great things she has done.

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