IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 80 

Commending Wilfred George Gooden for his distinguished career of service, 

humanitarian efforts, and philanthropy dedicated to assisting the people 

of Jamaica and the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 19, 2007 

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself, Mr. RANGEL, and Ms. CLARKE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Commending Wilfred George Gooden for his distinguished 

career of service, humanitarian efforts, and philanthropy 

dedicated to assisting the people of Jamaica and the 

United States. 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was the last of 3 sons born 

to his parents on February 22, 1922, in Westmoreland, 

Jamaica; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was brought up in a Christian home, baptized at the Rollington Town Seventh-Day 

Adventist Church, and never forgot his first love, Jesus; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden’s rich baritone voice could 

be heard in praises as he called his family and all who 

entered his home to worship; 


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Whereas Wilfred George Gooden’s Christ-like character was 

seen in his deeds and in the way he treated every person 

he met; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden treated all persons with respect, courtesy, and kindness, regardless of their race, 

ethnicity, gender, religion, political persuasion, title, or 

status; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden would often bring home 3 

or 4 friends unannounced for weekends, all of whom 

would be warmly received by his generous and compassionate mother; 

Whereas in 1944, Wilfred George Gooden traveled to the 

United States and settled in New York City; 

Whereas in New York City, Wilfred George Gooden for many 

years pursued and enjoyed a successful career in mechanical dentistry and to this day many former clients praise 

and express appreciation for the quality his service and 

workmanship; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden, always on the lookout for 

new adventures and challenges, invested in a brownstone, 

which needed some repairs, on West 142nd Street in New 

York City; 

Whereas with much enthusiasm, Wilfred George Gooden used 

his knowledge of plumbing (obtained as a result of his 

formal liberal arts education) to make the repairs, thus 

launching a new career in the field of housing rehabilitation; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden, recognizing the importance 

of expanding one’s education, knowledge, and business 

acumen, enrolled at City College of New York and earned 

a certificate in building engineering; 


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Whereas in 1961, Wilfred George Gooden organized a general 

contracting company with the basic purpose of renovating 

existing properties; 

Whereas as the owner and builder of multiple dwellings, 

Wilfred George Gooden renovated a group of old tenements into 2 and 3 bedroom, modern, class A apartments; 

Whereas in many areas of New York City, Wilfred George 

Gooden revitalized entire neighborhoods, creating homes 

that gave and still give each dweller a sense of renewed 

hope and dignity; 

Whereas as a project manager, field superintendent, and general contractor, Wilfred George Gooden renovated a 100- 

unit apartment complex for the Maurel Realty Corporation and a 50-unit apartment complex for the Almeric 

Realty Corporation; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden’s expertise was recognized 

by New York Mayor David Dinkins, who appointed him 

to help improve the city’s urban housing program; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden brought to this task his 

knack for delivering quality housing in the most needy 

urban areas within budget and on schedule; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden walked with kings and presidents (including President Bill Clinton and former Jamaican Prime Ministers Norman Manley, Michael 

Manley, Alexander Bustamante, Edward Seaga, and P. 

J. Patterson), but he never lost the common touch; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was as at ease and at home 

in the company of State and local government officials, 

leaders of the clergy, captains of industry and academia, 


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as he was with customers, clients, students, friends, 

neighbors, and family members; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was asked to serve, and 

served with distinction, on the Board of Directors of the 

Housing Board in New York, the Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH) clinics in Jamaica, the American Friends of Jamaica, the Concerned Committee for 

Christian Education, and the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO); 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was honored as a philanthropist by Message Magazine in 1996 for his community 

service and humanitarianism; 

Whereas Faith and Grant College in Huntsville, Alabama, 

conferred on Wilfred George Gooden the degree of Doctor 

of Letters; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden shared his achievements by 

helping others to succeed; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden helped innumerable Jamaicans relocating to New York City to get jobs, many in 

his own construction company; 

Whereas when housing was needed, when food was required, 

when winter came and clothes and heat were required to 

keep bodies warm, Jamaicans relocating to New York 

City and others in the community knew to call Wilfred 

George Gooden, whose charity was virtually unbounded; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was deeply committed to the 

Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Manhattan, 

where he served as Missionary Volunteer Leader, Sabbath School teacher, Sabbath School Superintendent, and 

Chairman of the Building Committee, where he did so 


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much to see that the physical plant of the church was 

maintained in a manner befitting God’s people; 

Whereas in 1980, Wilfred George Gooden established the 

Concerned Committee for Christian Education to provide 

funds for the Christian education of Jamaica’s children; 

Whereas in 1980, Wilfred George Gooden also facilitated a 

concert at the National Arena in Jamaica featuring the 

Cantata Choir from New York; 

Whereas the proceeds of the concert were used to refurbish 

and restart the New Hope Preparatory School at the 

North Street Seventh-Day Adventist Church; 

Whereas the New Hope Preparatory School, which started 

with one teacher and 2 students, today has grown to 197 

students, 12 teachers, and a staff of 5; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden, along with his wife Sybil 

Gooden, provided scholarships for young people who 

would otherwise not have been able to attend his alma 

mater, Northern Caribbean University (formerly West Indies College), and personally assisted students from Jamaica, New York, Alabama, and Kenya to attend college; 

Whereas for 15 years, Wilfred George Gooden has arranged 

for summer employment for many students from various 

Adventist colleges, thus aiding their pursuit of higher and 

Christian education; 

Whereas Jamaican students pursuing medicine, engineering, 

dentistry, and other disciplines overseas were assured of 

tuition, housing, and personal assistance because of the 

beneficence of Wilfred George Gooden, who wanted to ensure that all Jamaican youth had a chance to succeed so 

they could make a meaningful contribution to society; 


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Whereas Wilfred George Gooden never lost affection for his 

native Jamaica, was always ready to support Jamaica, 

and thought that young people from Jamaica should 

know more about their heritage; 

Whereas with the permission of the Jamaican government, 

Wilfred George Gooden printed and distributed copies of 

the Jamaican constitution to every high school student in 

Jamaica; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden brought notable Americans 

(such as former New York Mayor David Dinkins and 

New York City Councilwoman Una Clarke) to the campus of his alma mater, Northern Caribbean University, so 

that more people could learn of the quality of the Jamaican educational system and what his church and school 

were doing for the world; 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden lived by the following philosophy and creed: To leave some simple mark behind, to 

keep his having lived in mind, to be an honest generous 

foe, and to play any part even if the honors did not fall 

on him; 

Whereas for 57 years, the life of Wilfred George Gooden was 

enriched and enlarged by the love, companionship, assistance, and partnership of his wife, Sybil; and 

Whereas Wilfred George Gooden passed away on January 6, 

2007: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives com2 mends Wilfred George Gooden for his distinguished career 

3 of service, humanitarian efforts, and philanthropy dediVerDate Aug 31 2005 00:43 Jan 20, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR80.IH HR80

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1 cated to assisting the people of Jamaica and the United 

2 States. 

Æ 


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