[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DENISE JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Denise Jones 
who was born and raised in Brooklyn. Ms. Jones' commitment to public 
service originated from her mother and role model, Rosalie Jones, who 
showed her the benevolence of charitable kindness to others. Her mother 
is currently a retired New York City public school teacher who served 
her community for dedicated thirty-five years.
  Denise Jones started her career in human services seventeen years ago 
working with MRDD at Catholic Charities as a per diem weekend 
counselor. Even though she held a printing job, she went to work at the 
Odyssey House as a counselor making half the salary. She remembers 
saying that the moment she took that job, she knew It was her life's 
work.
  Ms. Jones has worked with the following agencies: Project Return now 
known as Padilla; FEGS; The Fortune Society; AHRC; PSI Samaritan; The 
Partnership for the Homeless with the United Way of New York City; 
Innerforce; CAMBA and Ella Place. Denise has worked with youth at risk 
for incarceration, substance abuse MICA patients, mentally-challenged 
and ill, ex-offenders, senior citizens, homeless, people that suffer 
with HIV and AIDS.
  She has been honored in the New York Nonprofit Press May 2007 issue 
as ``Hero of the Year'' and by the Elliot Tomlin Foundation with the 
vision award for outstanding community service. Denise Jones has 
marched on Washington to represent all the people that has died from 
lack of funding for HIV and AIDS research for a cure. Moreover, she is 
a certified rapid HIV tester and has completed a WORC program at 
Columbia University that addresses the delivery of vocational services 
for consumers with serious mental health conditions.
  Denise attends a food and hunger conference to support world food aid 
once a year and currently serves Community Board #5 as a cabinet 
member. Dedicating her life to addressing social problems and assisting 
in reconstructing individual lives is Denise Jones' life's work and 
even now, she is working as a project coordinator on a SPICE pilot 
program to reduce disparities in childbirth through education and 
support services.
  Madam Speaker, it is incumbent upon this body to acknowledge Denise 
Jones' achievements and her spirit of volunteerism on behalf of the 
betterment of our community.

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