[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM TURNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the 
work and achievements of William Turner. William is the second child 
born to the union of William and Mary Turner of Tampa, Florida. William 
spent his childhood years in Tampa and later migrated to Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania with his uncle Samuel Turner. He left Pennsylvania for New 
York where he studied at Pace University, Long Island University, 
Columbia University, New York University, Hofstra University and 
Brooklyn College.
  William has been an entrepreneur in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community 
for more than 45 years, primarily as President of Cross Boro Realty. He 
is also a licensed insurance broker, certified general appraiser and 
tax consultant. He has served on the Bedford-Stuyvesant Real Estate 
Board as president, chairman, vice-president, and secretary. He has 
also served as president of the Real Estate Non-Profit Housing Company, 
chairman of the Legal Defense Fund, chairman of the Journal Committee 
and elected to the honorary position of ambassador at large.
  William has initiated and coordinated several programs, among them: 
The development of a strong educational program for members of the 
Bedford-Stuyvesant Real Estate Board which allows them to survive one 
of the worst housing crises in our Nation's history; assisted board 
members in winning 7 of 9 Housing and Urban Development area managers' 
contracts, and; presented testimony on redlining in the Bedford-
Stuyvesant area to a legislative panel chaired by the Honorable Shirley 
Chisholm.
  William is married to his lovely wife, Melanie Turner. He is the 
proud father of 3 daughters, Sheila, Joyce, and Karen; three 
granddaughters, Fallon, Melanie, Jazmine; and 1 grandson, Ronald 
Cartlidge III.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the contributions of William 
Turner. He has been a pillar of the Bedford-Stuyvesant business 
community for years.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
William Turner.

                          ____________________