[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 187 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO KEITH HICKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Keith 
Hicks for his leadership throughout his community and focus on 
education and professionalism.
  Mr. Hicks was born the youngest of five children, to his parents John 
Henry and Marie Antoinette in South Jamaica, Queens. As a child Mr. 
Hicks learned to cultivate a strong sense of leadership that would 
transcend into his future career.
  In his early career, Mr. Hicks joined the Private Industry Council, 
an organization committed to youth development. As a program monitor, 
he completed his BA degree at John Jay College. He would also serve as 
instructor before moving to the Fortune Society, focusing his efforts 
on developing both the educational and professional lives of former 
prisoners. His career focus of providing resources to assisting the 
economically disadvantaged and at risk youth would continue with stops 
at the Hope Program where he served as Learning Center Director and the 
WAY Program where he served as Assistant Director, and Director.
  Mr. Hicks' continued leadership role would extend to the YMCA, when 
he served as Director of the Cross Island branch in Queens. At the 
YMCA, Mr. Hicks ascended to serve as the Assistant Executive of the 
Northern Brooklyn branch and now as the executive Director of the 
Greenpoint Brooklyn branch, where he continues to serve. In this 
capacity, Mr. Hicks manages a budget in the millions, over 100 
professional staff members, and offers services to thousands.
  While serving at the YMCA, Mr. Hicks had the opportunity to pursue 
his Masters Degree from Queens College, further providing a great 
example to those he has influenced over the years. Mr. Hicks' 
accomplishments at the YMCA and throughout his career are extensive, 
but professionally he remains most proud of the role he has been able 
to play in the lives of our youth.
  Mr. Hicks is the proud father of a daughter Tyler Marie Hicks who is 
presently a senior at Townsend Harris School and will enter college 
next year. Mr. Hicks' favorite scripture serves as a guiding force in 
his life, Hebrews 12:1: ``wherefore seeing we also are compassed about 
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and 
the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the 
race that is set before us''.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life 
and accomplishments of Mr. Keith Hicks.

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