LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Councilman Thomas White,
Jr. distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplified the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor served to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr., of Rochdale Village, Queens, died on
Friday, August 27, 2010, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, A native of South Jamaica, Thomas White, Jr. was an extraor-
dinary advocate for the Southeast Queens community for over 30 years and
dedicated most of his life serving those neighborhoods and individuals
who faced great challenges; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. served as the City Council member for the
residents of the 28th Council District in Queens for two terms; and
WHEREAS, As chair of the Economic Development Committee, Thomas White,
Jr. fought for programs that helped many neighborhoods on the path to
recovery; he searched for ways to break the cycle of poverty and
violence; he fought for job training and placement programs, and invest-
ments in long term economic growth; he also had a particular soft spot
for women and minority business owners, pushing for additional resources
to help them stay afloat and create good jobs for their neighbors; and
WHEREAS; During his esteemed tenure, Thomas White, Jr. also served as
a member of key Council committees including: Housing and Buildings,
General Welfare, Environmental Protection and Cultural Affairs,
Libraries & International Intergroup Relations; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. worked tirelessly to develop community-
based programs for senior citizens, and youth, crime prevention, drug,
and alcohol treatment; he supported programs to prevent teen pregnancy,
and he helped to create primary care programs for those suffering from
HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, Throughout a government career that spanned two decades,
Thomas White, Jr. balanced his work on the City Council with public
service of another variety; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. was the co-founder and Executive Director
of one of the largest and most effective alcohol and substance abuse
residential treatment programs in New York State, J-CAP; in this capaci-
ty, he helped to reclaim over 20,000 young men and women who have
suffered the effects of abuse, misuse and addiction; he gave them hope,
a shot at redemption, and a chance to build a better life; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. will forever remain present in the lives of
those he touched including the thousands of New Yorkers he helped
shepherd away from addiction; the small business owner given a chance to
build their American dream; the working family that can now afford to
stay in the home they built; the child who will grow up with cleaner air
and safer streets; and
WHEREAS, Thomas White, Jr. will truly be memorialized through the
countless New Yorkers whose lives have been made better, in ways both
large and small, thanks to the laws he sponsored and the causes he cham-
pioned; and
WHEREAS, He is survived by his mother, Marie White; his children,
Bryan D. White, and Lucile Precious Middleton; daughter-in-law, Seleste
White; and his grandchildren, Lamar and Jacob, all of whom felt privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoiced in his many achievements;
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
mourn the death of Councilman Thomas White, Jr., recognizing the signif-
icance of his service to the citizens of his community, and expressing
its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Thomas White, Jr.