LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
Thomas White, Jr., distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Rochdale Village in Queens, New York City Coun-
cilman Thomas White, Jr., died on August 27, 2010, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, A native son of Southeast Queens, born on August 21, 1939,
Thomas White, Jr. fought hard for the residents of South Jamaica
throughout his lifetime; his illustrious career and service exemplifies
the values of all who dream to make a better life for themselves and
those around them; and
WHEREAS, Councilman White was an advocate for the Southeast Queens
Community for over 30 years; he worked tirelessly to develop community-
based programs for senior citizens and youth, and for crime prevention,
and drug and alcohol treatment; he also worked with programs to prevent
teen pregnancy and helped to create primary care programs for those
suffering from HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, As the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Queens Village
Committee for Mental Health for Jamaica Community Adolescent Program,
Inc. (J-CAP), one of the largest and most effective alcohol and
substance abuse residential treatment programs in New York State, Thomas
White, Jr. helped to reclaim over 20,000 young men and women who have
suffered the effects of abuse, misuse and addiction; his Herculean
efforts helped young people find positive goals and role models to
become valuable and productive assets to the community; and
WHEREAS, In addition, as the New York City Councilman from the 28th
Council District in Queens Thomas White, Jr. served as Chair of the New
York City Council's Economic Development Committee; his efforts were
instrumental in creating programs that ranged from providing loans to
help small businesses stay afloat and grow to helping New Yorkers avoid
foreclosures; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. graduated from Stony Brook University with
a Master's degree in Social Work in 1982; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. is survived by his mother, Marie White; two
children, Bryan White and Lucile Precious Middleton; and two grandchil-
dren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Thomas White, Jr. leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Thomas White, Jr., distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Thomas White, Jr.