[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E749-E750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING WILLIAM ``BILLY'' THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2009

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues and the entire nation, the work of my constituent William 
``Billy'' Thomas. Mr. Thomas is a great man who will be honored by the 
citizens of Mount Vernon, New York for his lifelong work. It is a body 
of work that has always personified actions that go way beyond the call 
of duty. The City of Mount Vernon, New York, will rename South Sixth 
Avenue William ``Billy'' Thomas Boulevard, after its beloved local and 
national pioneer in youth development.
  William ``Billy'' Thomas began working at the Mount Vernon (NY) Boys' 
Club (MVBC) in 1955. Over the next 22 years he rose from athletic to 
program to camp and finally to Executive Director. During each and 
every year, young men were placed in his skillful hands and taught the 
values of life, service to community, sportsmanship, courage, integrity 
and respect for self and others. He became an icon, a living legend for 
his work in inspiring young people to pursue and live positive and 
progressive family and professional lives.
  In 1968, duty to his nation called. Mr. Thomas took leave from his 
work and joined the United States Army to serve in Vietnam. He

[[Page E750]]

returned to the Boys' Club in 1971 to continue his work and improve the 
life skills and lives of young men in the community. He has served the 
Mount Vernon community in various capacities for over 45 years. Mr. 
Thomas's accomplishments are too many to site, but a few must be noted.
  In 1993, Mr. Thomas was joined by Denzel Washington, as they received 
The Boys and Girls Club of America Connection Magazines Mentor Magic 
Award. In 1997 Mr. Thomas received the ``Man of the Year Award'' from 
the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Club 
of New Rochelle, New York.
  Mr. Thomas worked with countless young people in an effort to either 
turn their lives around, or continue their lives on a positive path. 
Over the years, Mr. Thomas mentored thousands of young people. Some are 
now doctors, lawyers, bus drivers, ministers, fathers and mothers as 
well as the current executive director of the Mount Vernon Club--Lowes 
Moore. Mr. Thomas also influenced several former NBA players: brothers 
Gus and Ray Williams, as well as Calvin ``Scooter'' and Rodney McCray. 
Mr. Thomas always went about his work without praise or formal 
recognition. He has taught all the young people that entered the club 
that each has a responsibility to lend a hand to those less fortunate. 
His actions speak volumes as he worked with special needs children in 
New Rochelle and White Plains, New York. He also volunteered his 
services in many areas that included teaching chess, reading, a Youth 
Commissioner for the City of New Rochelle and of course, a basketball 
coach.
  Mr. Thomas sacrificed a great deal to give back to his community. It 
is only fitting that the community honor his deeds by renaming the 
street in front of the Boys Club William ``Billy'' Thomas Boulevard. 
This is testament that hard work and dedication are appreciated by the 
community and that the seeds sowed will blossom for many years to come. 
The renaming of South Sixth Avenue to ``William Billy Thomas 
Boulevard'' is an important testament to the hundreds of lives nurtured 
on this block at this Boys' and Girls' Club under his leadership and 
care.
  We in Congress share the City of Mount Vernon's recognition of 
William ``Billy'' Thomas's outstanding life with the nation.

                          ____________________