Press Releases

Atlanta Hawks' Etan Thomas, Former Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode to Serve on Juvenile Justice Prevention Panel

WASHINGTON, DC, September 21, 2011—With an alarming number of African American youth ensnared in the juvenile justice system, U.S. Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns (NY-10) has convened a diverse group of leaders to explore solutions to this growing crisis. Entitled, "An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Re-entry Programs," the panel will explore the juvenile justice system in America at a time when critics say it neither reforms young offenders nor protects the public. 

Lawmakers, community activists and experts in the fields of child welfare and criminal justice will examine issues in the system and identify ways to address the psychological, emotional and behavioral needs of at-risk youth while protecting communities. The panel will meet during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 41st Annual Legislative Conference. 

 

HOST: 

U.S. Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns (NY-10) 

 

MODERATOR: 

David Muhammad, Chief Probation Officer 

Alameda County Probation Department, Oakland, CA 

 

PANELISTS: 

Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., Former Mayor of Philadelphia 

Founder, Amachi Mentoring Program, Philadelphia, PA 

 

Etan Thomas, Professional Athlete and Veteran Center 

National Basketball Association's Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA 

 

David C. Banks, President and CEO 

The Eagle Academy Foundation, New York, NY 

Co-chair, Mayor Bloomberg's Young Men of Color Initiative

 

Rev. Tony Lee, Founder and Senior Pastor 

Community of Hope AME Church, Temple Hills, MD 

 

DATE: 

Thursday, September 22, 2011 

 

TIME: 

2:00 p.m. 

 

PLACE: 

Walter E. Washington Convention Center 

Room 143-C 

801 Mount Vernon Place, NW 

Washington, DC, 20001 

 

ABOUT U.S. REP. TOWNS 

U.S. Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns of Brooklyn, New York is a social worker and long-time advocate for working families, seniors and children. The 15-term veteran in the U.S. House of Representatives currently chairs the Social Work Caucus and serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management. He is also a senior Democrat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 

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