[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO MR. DECOSTA HEADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. DeCosta 
Headley. Mr. Headley has served the Brooklyn community as an advocate 
for social service programs and making a progressive change in our 
district.
  Mr. Headley graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North 
Carolina, with a B.A. in Behavioral Science. He resides in East New 
York with his wife and two daughters.
  Mr. Headley's philanthropic activities are well known throughout the 
East New York/Brownsville communities. He has served on various local 
community planning boards; and was the founder of the community's first 
local development corporation, resulting in over 3,000 new jobs. Mr. 
Headley was also the founder of the Federation of Block Associations 
for East New York. He spent several years as a social worker, and in 
the late 1970s became the executive director of numerous group homes 
for at-risk youth within the East New York/Brownsville communities. 
Among Mr. Headley's notable achievements is the Federation of Addiction 
Agencies, which was established to provide a drug-free treatment 
program in East New York and Brownsville.
  As a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Headley is President of Diversified 
Inch By Inch, Inc., one of the city's top African-American general 
contracting firms. Always in the forefront of serving his community, 
Mr. Headley's company has built local medical and dental facilities for 
Oxford Health Plans, Brookdale Hospital & Medical Center, and 
Interfaith Medical Center. Mr. Headley has enhanced his entrepreneurial 
spirit by aiding local churches within the five boroughs acquire land 
for the use of building senior citizen housing and youth centers.
  For over 16 years, DeCosta Headley served as District Leader for the 
40th Assembly District in the East New York section of Kings County. 
Throughout his career, Mr. Headley has dedicated himself to enhancing 
the quality of life for his constituents. Those efforts have resulted 
in college scholarships, employment opportunities, affordable housing, 
and increased public services. Now retired from the position, he 
continues to play an active role in the political landscape of 
Brooklyn, by successfully operating the campaigns of candidates seeking 
seats on the city, state, and federal levels of government within and 
outside the state of New York. Mr. Headley's efforts have led him to 
receive several community awards including: The Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Foundation Award and the Mayor's Award for Community Service.
  Madam Speaker, I would once again like to recognize the impressive 
achievements and contributions that Mr. DeCosta Headley has made to the 
Brooklyn Community. The dedication that Mr. Headley has displayed 
throughout his career continues to constructively develop our district.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
this remarkable man and the great things that he stands for.

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