[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PAYING TRIBUTE TO TRAILBLAZING HOOSIER DERRICK BURKS ON THE OCCASION OF 
                             HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2017

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Derrick 
Burks as he retires from Ernst & Young, a trailblazing Hoosier whose 
leadership has been transformative in our community. Derrick, a life-
long Hoosier, was born in Indianapolis and is one of twelve children. 
He attended Indianapolis Public Schools from Kindergarten until 
graduation. Upon graduation from Shortridge High School in 1974, 
Derrick and his twin brother Darrell, through the encouragement of an 
older brother enrolled at Kentucky State University. Despite losing 
both parents at an early age and in the face of a tight budget both 
Derrick and Darrell enrolled. They found great success academically and 
then decided to transfer to Indiana University. They both pursued 
degrees in accounting and graduated with distinction in 1978.
  After graduation, Derrick went to work at Arthur Andersen in 
Indianapolis while his twin Darrell pursued his successful accounting 
career in Detroit, Michigan. During his time with Arthur Andersen, 
Derrick was recognized for his contributions to the firm on several 
occasions. In 1991, Derrick was promoted and became a partner at the 
firm, a position he held until May of 2000. When, at the age of 43, he 
was selected to become the Managing Partner. He was the first African-
American to be named to this position by a large CPA firm in the state 
of Indiana. As the Managing Partner, Derrick was instrumental in the 
Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young merger in 2002. He was then named the 
Managing Partner for Ernst & Young in 2004. Derrick has displayed 
exemplary capability and leadership throughout his entire career. As a 
member of the Ernst & Young's America's Ethnicity Diversity Task Force, 
Derrick embodied values that encouraged his colleagues to always do the 
right thing. Derrick's expertise is wide-ranging: his clients include 
small businesses, large multi-location corporations, and public 
companies across numerous fields of business. In addition to his work 
at the firm, Derrick has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to our 
community through numerous civic and community activities over the 
years.
  Derrick is a prominent leader in the African-American community 
through his involvement with the Indiana Black Expo, the Indianapolis 
Museum of African American History, and the 100 Black Men of 
Indianapolis. Derrick is also involved with two historically African 
American fraternities, Kappa Alpha Psi, his undergraduate fraternity, 
as well as Sigma Pi Phi a post-graduate professional fraternal 
organization. Kappa Alpha Psi, founded in Bloomington, Indiana, strives 
to support their members in ``achievement in every field of human 
endeavor''. Sigma Pi Phi, also known as the Boule, was the first Greek-
letter fraternity to be founded by African American men. Its membership 
consists of men with college or professional degrees who are prominent 
and contributing members of their communities.
  In addition to his career in the accounting field, he is and has been 
actively involved in civic and community organizations including the 
Stadium Board, Goodwill Education Initiatives (Indianapolis Met Academy 
Charter Schools), Goodwill Industries, Boy Scouts of America, the 
Children's Museum, the United Way, Circle City Classic, the Mayor's 
Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indianapolis Convention & 
Visitors Association Board, Indianapolis Metropolitan Career Academy 
and Kelley School of Business Dean's Advisory Council to name a few. 
Derrick is a member ofthe American Institute of CPAs and the Indiana 
CPA Society. He also served the Indiana community as Commissioner of 
the Indiana State Board of Accountancy and served as Treasurer for the 
2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.
  On behalf of all Hoosiers and as a dear friend and soccer parent who 
spent countless memorable hours over many years with the Burks family, 
I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Derrick for his contributions 
to Indiana businesses as well as his exemplary service and leadership 
to our community. I wish the very best to Derrick, to his special 
partner in life his wife Celeste, and his three amazing daughters, 
Channing, Ciersten, and Courtney in his well-deserved retirement and in 
the next exciting chapter of his life.

                          ____________________