[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
A TRIBUTE TO THE PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 
                              BLACK WOMEN

                                 ______


                        HON. LUCIEN E. BLACKWELL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 1994

  Mr. BLACKWELL. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest sense of pride 
that I rise today to pay tribute to an organization in the great city 
of Philadelphia, which has distinguished itself as one of the Nation's 
premier nonprofit organizations. As the Pennsylvania Chapter of the 
National Coalition of 100 Black Women convenes this weekend to 
celebrate the annual Madam C.J. Walker Awards Luncheon, I would like to 
take a moment to pay tribute to this outstanding organization, and the 
remarkable accomplishments which they have achieved.
  The National Coalition of 100 Black Women is a national nonprofit 
organization with a membership of more than 80,000 African-American 
women, representing more than 250,000 African-American women throughout 
the Nation. The coalition serves as an advocate for women and children 
in the areas of education, economic development, arts and culture, 
world affairs, health, and politics. Their voice is a powerful one, 
which plays an essential role in policy debates in Washington, on a 
wide range of issues.
  Mr. Speaker, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 
100 Black Women has without a doubt been one of the strongest chapters 
of this vital organization. They have been at the forefront of such 
programs as the Woman in Partnership mentoring program, and the Rites 
of Passage Program for teen girls, the first of its kind in the Nation, 
having already served 150 girls in its first year of operation. They 
have conducted their nationally respected Women in Business training 
seminars, and have taken an active role in international affairs, 
including projects for survival for women and children in Liberia, 
Gambia, South Africa, Haiti, and Somalia. Furthermore Mr. Speaker, the 
Pennsylvania chapter has been extremely active in the establishment of 
the coalition's educational scholarship fund, a most important endeavor 
which will ensure the education of future generations of African-
American women and children for years to come.

  Mr. Speaker, this annual luncheon is named in celebration of Madam 
C.J. Walker, America's first self-made woman millionaire, 
philanthropist, and patron of education and the arts. Madam Walker's 
granddaughter, Ms. A'Lelia Bundles will present a prestigious award in 
her grandmother's name. The theme of the luncheon is the very worthy 
promotion of achievement of African-American women in economic 
development and business. In conjunction with other women's groups 
throughout Philadelphia and the Nation, the coalition will also unveil 
their plans to establish a national research document entitled the 
``State of Women Report.'' This crucial study will focus on the 
presence, progress, and patterns of women in all areas of the social 
structure, and will assess the need for and direction of necessary 
changes.
  Mr. Speaker, in a day and age when we constantly seek to identify 
positive role models for young people throughout the Nation, I can 
hardly think of a better organization that embodies all of the 
characteristics which we should want to pass on to the next generation. 
Mr. Speaker, for this reason, and for all of their substantial 
achievements over the years, I would like to ask my colleagues to rise 
and join me in paying tribute to the Pennsylvania chapter of the 
National Coalition of 100 Black Women. I wish them a wonderful event in 
Philadelphia this weekend, and continued success as they chart a course 
of progress for the future.

                          ____________________