Brooklyn's Progress
March 2003

Former New York State Assemblyman William Frank Boyland Sr. was the honoree at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s annual Black History Month Celebration on Thursday, February 27.

The event, co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber’s Minority and Women Business Owners Committee and the Government Affairs Committee, was a reception at the New York Marriott Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Chamber saluted the former Assemblyman, who retired after serving for the past 20 years as the representative for the 55th Assembly District which covers the Brownsville, Bushwick, Crown Heights, East New York, and Ocean Hill areas of Brooklyn.

William Frank Boyland Sr. was elected to office in April of 1982.  He has made housing and improving the industrial and commercial opportunities for the residents of the 55th Assembly District his top priorities.  Since his election, the Brownsville area has been totally redeveloped, the Crown Heights community has evidenced major renovations, and Bedford Stuyvesant has been studied and assessed to develop a plan for rehabilitation and modernization of the area.

He was active in many civic and social organizations as a community service advocate.  He was elected chairperson of Care Beyond Neighborhood, an organization focusing on the socio-economic needs of the area.  Assemblyman Boyland served as a Medical Corpsman in the Armed Forces, a skill that is beneficial to him as a civilian.  Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he graduated from Brooklyn College and worked in the Nursing Department of Brookdale Hospital.  Assemblyman Boyland has a bachelor of science degree from Brooklyn College.

Mr. Boyland worked as a union representative for Local 1199 from 1976 until his election in 1982.

Assemblyman William Frank Boyland Sr. is married to the former Ruby Jean Barnes, and they have two children, The Honorable Tracy Boyland, a New York City Council Member, and William Frank Jr., a Democratic district leader from Brooklyn.