[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MRS. ANNA GAYLE

                                 ______


                            HON. DAN MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank you for 
this opportunity to honor a remarkable person and a wonderful citizen. 
I am sad to report that this past Tuesday, one of my most admired 
constituents, Anna Gayle, passed away at the age of 99. Now Ms. Gayle 
was known for many great things in Manatee County. She was a deaconess 
and missionary at St. John First Baptist Institutional Church in 
Palmetto, FL. She served as the director of the Senior Citizens Centers 
of Manatee County in Bradenton and Palmetto for over 10 years. And she 
also in 1984 received a national award from the National Council on 
Aging for her advocacy.
  But the qualities that everyone attributed most to her were her 
strong character, her kindness, and above all, her willingness to help 
those that were less fortunate. As stated by one of her many fans, ``If 
people were sick, she helped them. If a child needed care, she saw that 
he got it. If you needed a hand, she was there.'' It was this 
commitment to provide for those less fortunate and her drive to better 
surrounding neighborhoods which led to the Anna Gayle Resource Center--
a neighborhood center for families experiencing drug and crime problems 
in her much loved community of Palmetto, FL. Her legacy of improving 
the quality of life will long be remembered by many for years to come.
  I have always found such commitment to help others inspiring, and 
mourn deeply the passing of such an outstanding human being. We will 
all miss her.

                          ____________________