[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RUTH VARNADO

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 1995

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I 
pay tribute today to Ruth Varnado of my hometown of Milwaukee. Her many 
years of community service and dedication to making a difference in the 
lives of people are truly deserving of our appreciation and praise.
  Ruth was raised in Jasper, AL where she completed her high school 
education. During her young adult years, she moved to Milwaukee to 
further her education.
  We all know that Jasper, AL is a long way from Milwaukee. But I am 
very grateful that Ruth made the journey. Her years of community 
service span more than three decades, and the people of our community 
have benefited from her tireless service, dedication, and hard work.
  Ruth has been a leader of efforts to save people from the ravages of 
guns, drugs, violence, and crime. Recognizing the importance of 
reaching out to people in despair, Ruth founded the Lincoln Park 
Community Center in 1989 and still serves as its director. Through her 
work at the center, she has helped to expand opportunities for people 
who have often felt hopeless. And she has helped to instill in them the 
values they need to succeed and endure in this society.
  Ruth's efforts to reach out to inmates in penal institutions for 
insight into the root causes of crime have caught the attention of 
local, State, and national leaders including the President of the 
United States. For the first time in Wisconsin history, inmates 
nominated Ruth for a volunteer award sponsored by J.C. Penney, the 
Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee, and WTMJ-TV Channel 4.
  Ruth's civic involvement and her countless contributions have earned 
her many other acclamations and awards. In 1991, she was named Citizen 
of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.
  ``Boundless energy'', ``fearless'', ``determined'', ``compassionate'' 
and ``tough'' are terms the Milwaukee Times newspaper used to describe 
Ruth when she was honored as the 1990 Woman of the Year.
  Just as significant as all of the Ruth's achievements is the spirit 
of community service she represents. Her willingness to help individual 
community members of our society as a whole is what makes her 
especially deserving of our recognition and praise.
  The spirit of service she actively portrays is something we see far 
too little of in this society. And we all would do well to follow the 
shining example that Ruth has given us.
  I know that Ruth will continue to play an important role in our 
community for decades to come, and that America will continue to 
benefit from her dedication, service and hard work.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in saluting Ruth Varnado and in applauding 
this remarkable citizen for all she has done, and for all she has 
meant, to those of us whose lives she has touched.

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