[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE WESTFIELD, NJ AREA YMCA BLACK ACHIEVERS' PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 2010

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Westfield, NJ 
Area YMCA Black Achievers Program. I applaud the participants for their 
achievements and the staff, mentors, and Westfield, NJ Area YMCA Black 
Achievers Committee for their continuing commitment as role models in 
our community.
  The Black Achievers Program began in the 1960s at the Harlem YMCA 
with the mission of helping youth set and achieve educational and life-
long goals. The program expanded nationally, and in 1998, the 
Westfield, NJ Area YMCA adopted it. The Program's goal is to prepare 
youth participants in grades five through twelve to become Black 
Achievers in their future careers by building their character and 
skills, while providing positive mentoring relationships with caring 
Adult Achievers.
  The thirty-seven students who are participants in the 2009-2010 
school year are: Zayna Allen, Jamirah Barden, Steven Barden, Bria 
Barnes, Victoria Carden, Imani Coston, Ashley Edwards, Phylicia Flagg, 
Joshua Forehand, Alexis Givens, Adam Harley, Aneyjah Harris, Jon'ae 
Jackson, Todd Jamison, Jr., Cesar Lopez, Jazsmine Mayer, Jonathan 
Mayer, Maya McLeod, Cameron Mitchell, Chelci Mitchell, Aunyee 
McCummings, Kevin Monroe, Jr., Imani Mutyanda, Munashee Mutyanda, Jason 
Nutt, Fredrick A. Parsons, Jameka Parsons, Ne'andrea Paulevra, Sean 
Paulevra, Tamar Richardson, Dwayne Scott, Jr., Jeffery Scott, Ashley 
Simmons, Isaiah Smith, Kwame Thompson Haynes, Diana Williams and 
Brianna Whitehead.
  These thirty-seven individuals embody the program's core values. They 
have acquired the leadership skills and self-awareness needed to attain 
success in any endeavor they choose to pursue.
  Every year, the Connell Company, based in Berkeley Heights, NJ, 
generously sponsors the scholarship program and provides other vital 
support to the Program. Their generosity has supported the Program 
since its inception in 1998.
  The staff members dedicated to the program and its students are: 
Senior Director of Childcare, Camp and Teen Services Susan Morton, 
Coordinator Tarajee W. Russell, Assistant Coordinator Tania Mayer, 
Tutor Romina Cahiwat, and Alumni Volunteer Jasmine C. Farmer. These 
individuals, as well as the volunteers on the Black Achievers Committee 
of the Westfield, NJ Area YMCA Board have worked tirelessly to ensure 
the success of the program. The Westfield YMCA's Chief Executive 
Officer Mark Elsasser, Chief Operating Officer Paula Ehoff, 
Communications/Development Director Bonnie Cohen, YMCA Board chairman 
Stephen Murphy and the rest of the staff are deeply committed to the 
success of the Program. Lastly, the Black Achievers Committee Chairman 
Carlton Blake and the entire Black Achievers Committee should be 
acknowledged for the tremendous effort and dedication they put forth to 
keep the Black Achievers Program running.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the Westfield, NJ Area YMCA 
Black Achievers Program for encouraging students to develop their 
fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body. I urge them to continue to 
raise the academic standards of our young people and inspire them to 
reach all of their goals. I congratulate the Westfield, NJ Area YMCA, 
the Black Achievers' Program Committee, the Program and its staff and 
participants on their accomplishments and I thank them for their 
commitment to their community and I thank them for their commitment to 
their community.

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