[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A BEACON-OF-HOPE FOR ALL AMERICANS: LORRELLE HENRY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, with the 1996 election behind us, this Nation 
has completed another cycle of the ongoing democratic process which 
makes America great. The electoral process and the public officials 
selected through this process are invaluable assets in our quest to 
promote the general welfare and to guarantee the right to life, 
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is important, however, Mr. 
Speaker, that we also give due recognition to the equally valuable 
contribution of nonelected leaders throughout our Nation. The fabric of 
our society is generally enhanced and enriched by the hard work done 
year after year by ordinary volunteer citizens. Especially in our 
inner-city communities which suffer from long public policy neglect, 
local grassroots leaders provide invaluable services. These are men and 
women who engage in activities which generate hope. I salute all such 
heroes and heroines ad BEACONS-OF-HOPE.
  Lorrelle Henry is one of these BEACONS-OF-HOPE residing in the 
central Brooklyn community of New York City and New York State. Ms. 
Henry served as the director of libraries for the New York City school 
system until her retirement. She now serves as an adjunct professor at 
the Borough of Manhattan Community College.
  Although retired from the school system, Ms. Henry continues to work 
as an advocate for children. Ms. Henry serves as president of the 
Central Brooklyn Martin Luther King Commission; vice president of the 
New York City Martin Luther King Commission; treasurer of the Brooklyn 
Women's Political Caucus; member of ALA Caldecott Committee, which 
selects outstanding children's books; member of the Coretta Scott King 
Award Jury, which selects outstanding children's books by black 
authors; member of the board of directors of the Great Day Chorale; 
member of the Lincoln Place Block Association; and member of the Award 
of the Americas Committee, which selects outstanding children's books 
portraying Latin American and Caribbean life. Moreover, she is a 
recipient of numerous awards including the School Library Service Award 
and the New York State Martin Luther King, Jr. President's Award.
  Lorrelle Henry is the oldest of two children and grew up in Harlem 
during the exciting times of Langston Hughes, Adam Clayton Powell, and 
others. Lorrelle's parents always emphasized the necessity for donating 
time and energy to neighbors and community. In addition, her parents 
encouraged their children to be political activists.
  Lorrelle Henry is a native New Yorker who attended the city's public 
schools. She later graduated from Brooklyn College and obtained a 
master's in library science from St. John's University.
  Ms. Henry is the mother of three children, Michelle, Gairre, and 
Scott. And she is the proud grandmother of Kahlil, Shaniqua, Naren, and 
Jordan.
  Lorrelle Henry is a BEACON-OF-HOPE for all of central Brooklyn and 
for all Americans.

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