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) sub-
mitted 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 Chris-
tian 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 re-
spect, 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 compas-
sionate 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 mechan-
ical 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 rehabilita-
tion; 
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 tene-
ments into 2 and 3 bedroom, modern, class A apart-
ments; 
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 gen-
eral contractor, Wilfred George Gooden renovated a 100- 
unit apartment complex for the Maurel Realty Corpora-
tion 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 presi-
dents (including President Bill Clinton and former Ja-
maican 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 Inter-
national Self-Help (FISH) clinics in Jamaica, the Amer-
ican Friends of Jamaica, the Concerned Committee for 
Christian Education, and the National Association of Ja-
maican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO); 
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden was honored as a philan-
thropist 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 Jamai-
cans 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, Sab-
bath 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 In-
dies College), and personally assisted students from Ja-
maica, 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 en-
sure 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 cam-
pus of his alma mater, Northern Caribbean University, so 
that more people could learn of the quality of the Jamai-
can educational system and what his church and school 
were doing for the world; 
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden lived by the following philos-
ophy 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, assist-
ance, and partnership of his wife, Sybil; and 
Whereas Wilfred George Gooden passed away on January 6, 
2007: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives com-
mends Wilfred George Gooden for his distinguished career 
of service, humanitarian efforts, and philanthropy dedi-
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cated to assisting the people of Jamaica and the United 
States. 
Æ 
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