[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO HENRY BOLUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 6, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Henry Bolus in recognition 
of his service to New York City and his country as well as his 
accomplishments in the beauty industry.
  Henry was born to Henrietta and Roy Bolus on February 19, 1934, in 
City Hospital of New York, located on Welfare Island now known as 
Roosevelt Island. He was one of 5 children. Henry's solid education was 
obtained through the New York City public school system, from 
kindergarten straight through Brooklyn College. Long coupled with his 
wife, Henry has gone from teenage friend of Josephine, to a loving 
husband of more than 50 years, and the cherished and respected father 
of their two children: Michael Henry and Sabrina Jo. Henry is the warm 
and generous father-in-law of Ana Alicea; the cheerful, playful, and 
caring grandfather of three, Michael Luis, Ana Margarita, and Hector 
Luis; and lastly the proud great grandfather of Jasmine. At the urging 
of his young children, Henry went from never having a single pet, to 
happily living with cats and dogs.
  Throughout his adult life, Henry has had a long history of dedicated 
and exemplary volunteer service to the community. He has touched and 
enriched the lives of many. From an altar boy in the Catholic Church, 
he found his way to becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus. He 
volunteers each week as an usher at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Shrine 
Church of St. Jude in Canarsie.
  Voluntarily enlisting in the U.S. Army, Henry proudly served his 
country during the Korean conflict. First as a private infantryman, and 
later as a paratrooper, he served in the 187th Airborne Regimental 
Combat Team of the U.S. Army. His service, in support of our country's 
efforts to thwart the spread of communism into South Korea and perhaps 
beyond, led to his being the humble recipient of a 2003 New York City 
Council Proclamation which cited his exceptional service to this great 
Nation.
  Henry went from a street-corner shoeshine boy, to an electrical 
appliance stock clerk, to a beauty equipment salesperson, and finally 
to a designer of many of Brooklyn's beauty salons & barber shops. His 
dedication to his clients and the beauty industry earned him the 
``Cosmetology Man of the Year'' Award.
  Henry has also become a valuable community activist. Working quietly 
in the background, yet always willing to help, he has provided 
transportation for those in need; helped setup health fairs for 
numerous civic organizations; and assisted in the resurrection of the 
Canarsie Memorial Day Parade. He has also served on numerous civic and 
special community associations, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts 
of America, the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club Inc., the United Parents 
Fraternal, and Informed Voices of Canarsie, Etc. He has the distinct 
honor of having served as the only African-American on the 69th 
Precinct Community Council, in its 35-year history. For his hard work 
and commitment to the Canarsie Community, he received an award from the 
Friends United Block Association (FUBA) in 2001. For helping to 
establish the NYC branch of North Carolina A&T College Alumni, he was 
awarded an Associate Alumni membership.
  As a longtime, 43 years resident of New York City Housing, he 
established the NYC Bayview Housing Sports Day. This is a festive day 
of multiple sports events, dancing, food, and awards for the children 
of the community.
  Mr. Speaker, Henry Bolus has dedicated his life to serving his 
country and his community through his active participation in a vast 
array of civic organization. As such, he is more than worthy of 
receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this truly remarkable person.

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