June 16, 2006 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 152, Pt. 9 11659 Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent A TRIBUTE TO GWENDOLYN level of altruistic dedication that makes her on this body to recognize the TOWNS most worthy of our recognition today. accomplishments of Henry Frank, as he offers f his talents and services for the betterment of HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ‘‘BILL’’ our local and global communities. OF NEW YORK LAWRENCE Mr. Speaker, Henry Frank’s selfless service IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has continuously demonstrated a level of altru- Friday, June 16, 2006 istic dedication that makes him most worthy of HON. TOM LANTOS Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in our recognition today. OF CALIFORNIA recognition of Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns, a dis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f tinguished member of the Brooklyn commu- nity. It behooves us to pay tribute to this out- Friday, June 16, 2006 CONGRATULATING BOXER standing leader and I hope my colleagues will Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in pro- BERNARD HOPKINS join me in recognizing her impressive accom- found sadness to express my deepest sym- plishments. pathy and condolences to the family and HON. CHAKA FATTAH Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns attended college in friends of William ‘‘Bill’’ Lawrence. Bill was a her home State of North Carolina where she OF PENNSYLVANIA dear friend of mine who touched the lives of received a Bachelor of Science degree in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES all who came in contact with him and I am Early Childhood Education from North Caro- privileged to have known such a wonderful Friday, June 16, 2006 lina Agricultural and Technological State Uni- person. Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to versity. Later, she earned a masters degree in Bill was truly a great man who dedicated his congratulate celebrated boxer Bernard Hop- Guidance and Counseling from Brooklyn Col- life to our country. He began this service at kins on his illustrative career spanning 18 lege, and obtained postgraduate credits from the young age of 16 when he enlisted in the years and 53 fights as the former WBA, WBC, Pace University. Navy. Following his four years of naval service IBF, and WBO undisputed middleweight world She has advocated for quality education for in China in 1927, Bill was honorably dis- children and adults through her work with sev- champion and light heavyweight world cham- charged, and he chose to make his home in eral organizations including the Women’s pion. San Francisco. Once again, Bill sought a job House of Detention and NYC Public Schools At the age of 41, Bernard Hopkins accom- that would benefit the public. He first worked where she spent over 30 years training both plished what few other boxers were able to do as a cable car conductor on the Market Street successfully. A 3–to–1 underdog, Hopkins students and teachers to fulfill their potential. Mrs. Towns continues her leadership and Railway, one of the few union jobs in San jumped two weight classes and soundly de- commitment to education issues as a member Francisco at that time. feated light heavyweight champion Antonio of various national and local committees. Her In 1938, Bill began working for the U.S. Tarver, who previously had a 24–4 record. accomplishments include raising over Postal Service in San Francisco, and he be- Hopkins’ victory over Tarver quieted critics $850,000 for undergraduate and graduate came an active and dedication member of the who claimed Hopkins was overly ambitious in scholarships as chairperson of the Congres- Golden Gate Branch 214 of the National Asso- his desire to challenge Tarver for the light sional Black Caucus (CBC) Spouses Annual ciation of Letter Carriers. He delivered mail in heavyweight championship, and secured his Golf and Tennis Tournament. In the 10th Con- the City of San Francisco for 35 years and place in the boxing world as one of the best gressional District, she administers the Gen- worked as Secretary of Golden Gate Branch pound-for-pound fighters in history. eral Mills/CBC Spouses scholarship program, 214 of the NALC for 6 years. Bill remained a Overcoming adversity as an underdog is a which provides financial resources to under- member of the National Association of Letter situation in which Hopkins is well familiar. graduate, graduate and doctoral candidates Carriers until the day he died. Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Penn- pursuing careers in a health-related profes- Bill’s dedication to his local community was sylvania, Bernard Hopkins grew up in an envi- sion. even more evident when he began his political ronment surrounded by poverty, hardship, and Additionally, Mrs. Towns serves on the career. In 1970, Bill was elected to the Bris- violence. A repeat juvenile offender at the age Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Children’s bane City Council and over the next two dec- of 13, Hopkins was a frequent visitor to a de- Museum, and as President of the Interfaith ades he continued in that position, serving tention facility for juveniles in Philadlphia. By Medical Center Auxiliary where she coordi- twice as Mayor. In an effort to better his com- 17 years of age, Hopkins estimates that he nates Toys for Tots and insures that each pa- munity, he oversaw the construction of Crock- appeared before a juvenile offender judge at tient is remembered during the holiday sea- er Industrial Park. After his tenure on the City least 30 times. After being charged with his son. As co-chair of the Interfaith Medical Cen- Council, Bill continued to act as the Legislative eighth felony for strong-armed robbery, Hop- ter Foundation’s annual fund raising ball, she Liaison for the California State Association of kins was convicted and served in an adult de- is helping to ensure that the hospital continues Letter Carriers. tention facility until the age of 22. It was in to grow to meet the community’s needs. Mrs. Bill’s love of public service and his desire to prison where Hopkins found religion and his Towns is also affiliated with the NYC Chapter improve the quality of life of Brisbane resi- inspiration to dedicate his life to boxing. of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Concerned dents led him to join the Brisbane Lions Cub. Citing his time of incarceration as a ‘‘bless- Women of Brooklyn, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, His unfaltering dedication was obvious, as he ing,’’ Hopkins boxed in prison and turned pro Boys and Girls High School Women’s Day insisted in participating in every Lions Club ini- shortly after his release. Despite suffering sev- (Women on the ‘‘High’’), Bridge Street Martin tiative. Each year, Bill Lawrence painted 1,800 eral early career losses, Hopkins quickly Luther King Day Award, Barber Scotia Col- Easter eggs and volunteered at the Christmas gained the reputation of being an ‘‘old school’’ lege, New Lots Lion Club, NAACP and Berean tree lot. He continued to attend meetings, type fighter, dispatching his opponents merci- Missionary Baptist Church. even after his hearing and eyesight began to lessly with speed and precision. By the end of Most importantly, she and her husband, fade. 2000, Hopkins defended his IBF title 12 times Congressman ED TOWNS, are the proud par- Although Bill Lawrence officially retired at without a loss, while beating upper-echelon ents of two children: Assemblyman Darryl the age of 65, he could not imagine not serv- fighters such as John David Jackson, Glencoff Towns and Deidra Towns Blount. They have ing his country and local community. He re- Johnson, Simon Brown, and Antwun Echols. five grandchildren: Kiara, Jasmine, Kristian, fused to allow age and deteriorating health to Perhaps the most defining fight of Hopkins Trinity and Dale. stand in the way of public service. For the boxing career occurred when he defeated six- Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent past 30 years, Bill has served as Brisbane’s division titleholder Oscar De La Hoya for the on this body to recognize the accomplish- ‘‘Santa Claus,’’ bringing smiles to many fami- undisputed middleweight championship with a ments of Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns as she offers lies during the holiday season. Only last year, jarring knockout blow in the ninth round. her talents and philanthropic services for the at age 97, Bill finally was forced to retire from Mr. Speaker, please join me today in con- betterment of our local and national commu- this post, which brought so much joy to him gratulating Bernard Hopkins for establishing nities. and children throughout the community. his place in boxing history as one of the most Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns’ self- Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be able to call prolific professional fighters of all time. less service has continuously demonstrated a Bill Lawrence my friend. He always said that

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