[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM WHITAKER

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2010

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of William 
Whitaker for his work with the formerly incarcerated and his service to 
the City of New York.
  Mr. Whitaker was born in Richmond, Virginia, and moved to Brooklyn, 
New York at four years of age. His family resided in Brooklyn's Bedford 
Stuyvesant area for the next 42 years. After completing his high school 
education, Mr. Whitaker received an Associate degree from John Jay 
College of Criminal Justice where he focused on paralegal research and 
mythology. He then attended Marta Due College and received a Bachelor 
of Arts in Human Services. Mr. Whitaker is also a credentialed 
Prevention Specialist with the New York State Office of Alcohol and 
Substance Abuse. Mr. Whitaker has been credentialed with the state of 
New York for 15 years.
  Mr. Whitaker is also certified with Cornell University as a Family 
Development Credential Trainer. In 2009, Mr. Whitaker received his 
international certification reciprocity with the New York State Office 
of Alcohol and Substance Abuse.
  Mr. Whitaker's career began in 1990 with the Fortune Society. He held 
several titles at this agency, including Chief Librarian, Counselor/
Case Manager, Senior Peer Trainer, Public Health Educator, and Senior 
Outreach Coordinator. Mr. Whitaker also served as the Senior Prevention 
Specialist at Brooklyn's Canarsie Aware Treatment Center.
  Mr. Whitaker began working with the New York City Commission on Human 
Rights in 2001 as the Senior Advocate for the HIV prison project. He 
then began to serve as Special Consultant and Advisor to the 
Commissioner. Also during this time Mr. Whitaker was serving as 
Consultant and Special Advisor to Princeton University's research 
project concerning employment discrimination against minority 
jobseekers and the formerly incarcerated in New York City.
  Mr. Whitaker served as Consultant and Trainer to the City of New York 
Department of Health Office of Correction AIDS Prevention, stationed at 
Rikers Island Jail.
  Mr. Whitaker served the City of New York as a Senior Liaison for the 
New York City Department of Homeless Services for three years working 
with homeless families and single males and females to resolve 
conflicts and disputes with staff and other service providers. He was 
also responsible for contacting and following up with other government 
officials regarding complaints.
  Mr. Whitaker then served as African American Community Liaison to the 
office of the Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. He served 
throughout the Borough of Brooklyn, representing Marty's office in all 
affairs.
  Mr. Whitaker has returned to the New York City Commission on Human 
Rights where he continues to serve the people of New York as a Human 
Rights Specialist, working on special projects regarding the formally 
incarcerated and other areas concerning Human Rights laws and educating 
the general public.
  Mr. Whitaker is also currently authoring a new complete and 
comprehensive resource guide with other staff at the Commission on 
Human Rights. This booklet is for the formerly incarcerated returning 
to New York City. The title of this new booklet is ``Turning the Game 
Around''. Mr. Whitaker also provides ongoing workshops and 
presentations at agencies throughout the five Boroughs of New York 
City.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
achievements of William Whitaker.

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