[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CAROLYN ANN RICHARDSON CHENEY

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, in these early days of the 105th 
Congress, we face many of the same challenges of governance and public 
policy development our predecessors had to address as we confront the 
problems and opportunities before our great nation. As we look forward, 
we should pause to reflect on the contributions, both large and small, 
our citizenry, collectively and individually, have made to the 
development of our great nation.
  In doing so, we cannot help but take notice of Carolyn Ann Richardson 
Cheney, who passed away on December 13, 1996. Carolyn's devotion to 
family and community service, as well as her generosity, spirituality 
and faith, served as an inspiration to all who knew her.
  Born in Dallas, TX, to Oda Lee Blair and Howard Richardson, she spent 
her early youth in El Paso, TX, before moving to Tulare, CA. After 
graduating from Tulare Union High School, she obtained credentials as a 
dental assistant and began working in Los Angeles. She moved to 
Compton, CA, where her love of learning, thirst for knowledge and 
pursuit of higher education continued at Compton Community College. She 
earned her associate of arts degree and, upon graduation, matriculated 
to California State University Dominguez Hills. As an honor student, 
she earned a bachelor's degree in public administration. In 1977, she 
gained admission to the University of Southern California's master's 
program in public policy and judicial science. Until health challenges 
forced her to postpone her graduation, she maintained a 4.0 grade point 
average as a personal expression of her high standards and expectations 
for those whom she nurtured and set an example.
  Carolyn's ambition, strength, and motivation found expression in her 
entrepreneurial and managerial talents. For 15 years, she worked at 
Sears and Roebuck, during which time she was promoted from sales clerk 
to floor manager for the home furnishings and interiors department. In 
1980, she opened her own insurance agency under the auspices of 
Allstate Insurance Co., where her firm became one of the top agencies 
in southern California. Despite her busy schedule, Carolyn found time 
to serve others through her church and community service activities. 
Throughout her life, Carolyn's leadership and organizational skills 
found expression in a wide variety of organizations. She served as 
president of the Compton Rotary Club; director of evangelism and 
coordinator of the Angel Tree Program at Tower of Faith Evangelistic 
Church in Compton; and as a teacher at Union Rescue Mission in Los 
Angeles. She was a member of the Torrance/Lomita Rotary Club; served on 
the advisory board for the California Women's Commission on Alcohol and 
Drug Dependencies/Black Women's Media Project as well as the board of 
trustees of Light of the World Community Church. She volunteered in the 
Los Angeles Probation Department Chaplain's Office.
  Carolyn was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 
appreciation of her efforts and assistance in the furtherance of better 
understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.
  Carolyn was a loving and devoted mother of four children: Vernon, 
Giselle, Darrell, and Marcus. Through words and deeds, she instilled in 
them the principals of honesty, integrity, hard work, perseverance, and 
self sacrifice. These are the values that helped to make our Nation 
great and our people strong. The attributes and her example are 
testaments to the enduring strength of motherhood.
  Carolyn Ann Richardson Cheney is survived by her sons, Paston Vernon 
Lee Ward of Hawthorne, CA; Darrell Delaune Cheney of Dominguez Hills, 
CA; Marcus Sebastian Mason of Washington, DC; one daughter, Giselle 
Faune Cheney of Hawthorne, CA; seven grandchildren, including Shelly 
Fion, Vernisha Leshaun, Fallon Veron, Deijanae Zaire, Delaune Marcus, 
Jazmin Ayana, and Taelor Chanel; daughters-in-law, Debra Ann Ward and 
Dionne Patric Cheney; daughter-in-love, Chanel Nicole Troy of Los 
Angeles, CA; aunts, Mattie Bernice Owens and Elizabeth Anthony and a 
host of extended family and friends. She is also survived by a loving 
stepfather, Coyal James Marlin.
  Mr. Speaker, Carolyn Ann Richardson Cheney will be sorely missed by 
all who looked to her for nurturing, leadership and strength. Her 
example should inspire us all to make the most out of our lives and 
opportunities.

                          ____________________