[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 119 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1494-E1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     A TRIBUTE TO MARILYN LEFTWICH

                                 ______


                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 21, 1995
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my 
constituents, from the third 

[[Page E1495]]

congressional district of West Virginia, Ms. Marilyn Leftwich, an 
extraordinary employee of the Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, WV. Upon 
her retirement on August 31, 1995, Ms. Leftwich will have completed 
almost 25 years of service. Throughout her career, she has been a 
professional role model for the staff, and has had a great impact on 
the various programs at Alderson Federal Prison Camp.
  Ms. Leftwich received her bachelor's degree at Bluefield State 
College, in Bluefield, WV, and her master's degree at Liberty 
University, during a career which began in 1970. Starting as a 
correctional officer, she was soon promoted to correctional counselor, 
community programs coordinator, and eventually to her current position 
as unit manager. Besides her accomplishments at work, Ms. Leftwich has 
raised a family of three children, and has been very active in the 
community, and her church. She has also received a number of awards for 
her work and dedication to the community and her job, some of which 
include the Outstanding Achievement Award, Employee of the Month, and 
Outstanding Performance Appraisal Awards. Active in the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP], and in the 
development of the Alderson Federal Prison Camp Affirmative Action 
Program, Ms. Leftwich will long be remembered for her hard work to 
establish equality in all realms of society. Her involvement in 
community programs like these, has helped the Federal Prison Camp build 
and maintain a sound relationship with the surrounding community, as 
well as having a great impact in the attempt of creating a diverse work 
force.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Leftwich's dedication throughout the years has been 
vital in developing community project for the Prison Camp, including a 
program in which inmates donate clothing for needy families in the 
community. She helped to organize a group of inmates to maintain a 
section of the highway under the Adopt a Highway program. Her most 
recent project was called ``Mothers and Infants Together,'' which 
allows for pregnant inmate mothers to bond with their newborn babies 
for a period of 3 months.
  At a time when there has been so much focus on reducing government 
spending, we should appreciate the many programs which Ms. Leftwich 
developed and supervised. A shinning example is the institution sewing 
room, which has saved the government money by producing maternity 
clothing and reupholstering services, sewing drapes and other items, 
while at the same time providing meaningful employment for the inmate 
workers.
  We must commend Ms. Leftwich on her effort to include the inmates 
into as many projects as possible. These projects served both the 
inmates and the community, which is an ideal way to let the public know 
that the inmates should not be forgotten members of society.
  Ms. Leftwich's retirement will bring a great void to the staff at the 
Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, WV. After she retires, Ms. Leftwich 
plans to continue her community service and council children. She is an 
extraordinary woman, who has had a great impact of the female inmates 
and the community of Alderson, WV over the years.


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