Recognizing Derrick Thompson

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a milestone in the life of Derrick Thompson, city council president of the city of Mount Vernon on his 50th birthday celebrated this week. He will be doing the celebrating on Saturday night of his journey so far. He is a graduate of the Mount Vernon Public School System and now a professional in education in that very same school system. Twice-elected to the Mount Vernon City Council, he is serving for the second time as its presiding officer.

Happy Birthday to Derrick. There is much more ahead for him and the people he serves. We salute Derrick from the floor of the House of Representatives. Saluting the Community of White Plains

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Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, the city of White Plains, Westchester County's seat of government, is a dynamic city of over 60,000 people, with major corporations headquartered there, such as Heineken USA, Atlas Air, and Danone North America; a shopping mecca with major regional businesses; as well as small businesses and large national stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom's. There is a vibrant community with restaurants, entertainment, and more.

There is also a vibrant network of neighborhoods that link the residents of the community: Battle Hill, Fisher Hill, Gedney Farms, Rosedale, Reynal Park, Highlands, North Street, Carhartt, Gedney Meadows, and more. They are linked by an organization that is the envy of other communities in Westchester: the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations. The group meets monthly to discuss the concerns of each of the diverse neighborhoods, and they meet with local elected officials to address the issues that arise. They link together for the active and festive elements of community life, and it reaches into the larger whole.

Let me salute the current leaders of the association: President Michael Dalton, Vice President Sharon Woodford, Treasurer Tom Osbeck, and Secretary Michael Sanchez, along many other active local association presidents.

From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute their community-minded activism. Recognizing Tajian Nelson

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Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to salute and recognize Ms. Tajian Nelson, who is Westchester's first African-American female commissioner of the County Board of Elections as she celebrate her 50th birthday this week. Tajian has been long active in government and the public arena in various leadership positions, and at her tender age she has many more years of advancement and achievement in success ahead of her.

Congratulations to Tajian. We are all part of her fan club right here on the floor of the House of Representatives.

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