[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE BETTY J. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a tireless 
leader in the community.
  Born and raised in South Carolina, Betty Williams began her 
educational pursuits at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State 
University. She then received her law degree from New York Law School. 
Always one to know the true importance of education, Ms. Williams 
obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University.
  Betty Williams was elected to Kings County, Brooklyn Civil Court in 
November of 2000. On March 31, 2009, Justice Williams as appointed 
Acting Supreme Court Justice by the Chief Administrative Judge of New 
York State, Ann Pfau. She continues to preside over the Misdemeanor 
Brooklyn Treatment Center, affording long-term substance abusers the 
opportunity to receive treatment instead of incarceration.
  Justice Williams serves in various capacities as Co-Chairperson of 
the National Association of Women's Judges (NAWJ) Women in Prison 
Committee, attending the NAWJ's Fourth Annual Meeting with the 
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and National Women Leaders of 
the Judiciary, Chairperson of the New York State Chapter of the NAWJ 
Legislative Subcommittee and the past chairperson of the Chapter's 
Women in Prison Committee. Justice Williams is also a board member of 
the Downtown Brooklyn Waterfront Local Development Corporation, the 
Community Advisory Board of the Bayview Correctional Facility, and the 
New York Chapter of the NAWJ.
  Justice Williams is a member of the Association of the Bar of the 
City of New York, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the Brooklyn 
Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Kings County 
Criminal Bar Association, the Judicial Friends, the World Community of 
Social Workers, Church Women United, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 
and the St. Paul Community Baptist Church.
  In recognition of her loyalty and service, Justice Williams has 
received numerous awards, including the National Sojourner Truth 
Meritorious Service Award, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Equal Justice for 
Children Service Award, the New York City Department of Education 
Leadership Award, the New York Law School Black Students Association 
Outstanding Achievement Award, and the North Carolina Agricultural and 
Technical State University Alumni Association's Julia S. Brook 
Achievement Award. Justice Williams was also the first woman in New 
York State to be awarded the Abraham Markoff Scholarship Award from the 
New York State Bar Association Workmen's Compensation Division.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
selfless and faithful public servant, Honorable Betty J. Williams.

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