[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27890]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO DEACON WILLIE JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Deacon 
Willie James, an extraordinary community organizer who will be missed 
by Brooklyn.
  Deacon Willie James a native New Yorker, was born in Harlem Hospital 
on April 28th, 1936. When he was 18 years old he entered the Air Force 
and served 4 years doing a stint in Maine and Morocco. Of his many 
accomplishments, he was a very proud member of the 80th Supply Squadron 
and received the Good Conduct Medal for his demonstration of honor, 
efficiency and fidelity.
  Willie had a true love of music and was an accomplished Baritone. 
While in the service, he and a few other airmen formed a doo-wop vocal 
group that covered songs by the Platters as well as other groups. 
Willie would often say that the group was so good that the people in 
Morocco actually thought they were the real Platters!
  Later in life he would return to Harlem finding work as a shipping 
clerk. What Willie considered the highest point in his life, was when 
he met and married his late wife of 41 years, Rosabelle Moyd. It would 
prove to be a blessed union of love. Shortly after marriage, he joined 
the New York City Police Department and then in 1967 began his career 
with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 under the Manhattan 
and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MABSTOA). He started 
with a metal-plating company where he was assigned to a unit with 
workers who were perceived by some to be derelict workers beset by 
alcohol and laziness.
  Never one to look down upon anyone, but seeing the opportunity to 
help others; he discovered his masterful skill of organizing workers. 
He told workers if they worked with him he would make a case to 
management to get them higher wages. After a series of meetings and 
negotiations with the bosses, he won raises for the workers and 
developed a promotional ladder for himself.
  He rose through the ranks of TWU Local 100 and held a series of 
positions; MABSTOA DIVISION II Bus Operator, Division II Recording 
Secretary, Vice Chairman, Chairman at Amsterdam Garage, Executive Board 
as Director of Education and Training and Financial Secretary 
Treasurer. As he continued climbing the ladder of TWU he recalled how 
he continuously endured blatant racism; but in February 1996 he defied 
the odds to become the first black President of TWU Local 100. He was 
quoted as saying ``The members don't care what color I am as long as I 
protect their jobs''.
  In addition to his roles with TWU Local 100 he was Vice President of 
New York AFL-CIO, Vice President of the New York City Central Labor 
Council and Vice President of international TWU. He also held the title 
of Chairman for one of the oldest and largest Credit Unions in the 
State of New York, the Municipal Credit Union. Willie would further his 
accomplishments by attaining the post of Executive Board Member of the 
New York Branch of the NAACP.
  I could continue to list all of Deacon Willie James' accomplishments, 
because they go on and on. I will just say that the world will truly 
miss this deeply involved civic community organizer. I am happy that I 
had the opportunity to work with him on many special projects and to 
live during his lifetime.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Deacon 
Willie James.

                          ____________________