[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25066-25067]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO COUNCILMAN BILL DE BLASIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Councilman 
Bill de Blasio, a tenacious leader in the community and an inspiration 
to all of New York.
  Bill de Blasio understands the importance of education. He earned his 
Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from New York University; he 
then attended Columbia University and earned a Master of Arts degree in 
International and Public Affairs.
  Councilman de Blasio began his impressive political career in New 
York City government in the 1989 David Dinkins mayoral race. Following 
the campaign, Mr. de Blasio served as an aide in Dinkins' 
Administration, where he worked on projects such as the Safe Streets, 
Safe City initiative to reduce crime throughout New York City. While 
working at City Hall under Mayor Dinkins and later with the City 
Council, he learned first hand how city government works. He used this 
knowledge in the passage of key legislation establishing New York 
City's domestic partnership program. Later, Mr. de Blasio would 
eventually manage Hillary Rodham Clinton's successful run for Senate.
  From working for the parents of Community School District 15, where 
he helped spearhead some of the most comprehensive reforms in the city, 
such as capping first grade class size at 20 students and establishing 
universal Pre-Kindergarten; to serving as the highest-ranking official 
in the New York/New Jersey region for the U.S. Department of Housing 
and Urban Development, Mr. de Blasio fights the tough fights and wins. 
As a member of the New York City Council, he continues to serve the 
people of New York, and specifically the residents of Brooklyn's 39th 
Council District. Mr. de Blasio's most recent

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accomplishment is becoming the New York City Democratic Party's Public 
Advocate-Elect.
  Throughout Mr. de Blasio's career, the common thread that runs 
through is his desire to better the quality of life for all New Yorkers 
by improving public education, creating affordable housing and fighting 
discrimination based on race, religion, physical disability or sexual 
orientation. He has been instrumental in directing increased federal 
funding for affordable housing, senior citizen housing and economic 
development in the region.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing New 
York City Councilman Bill de Blasio, who is expected to be our City's 
Public Advocate. He is a dynamic community leader and true public 
servant.

                          ____________________