[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E551-E552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JOSIE POITIER FOR 39 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND CONTINUED 
             SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES WITHIN DADE COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize 
Josie Poitier, from Liberty City, who has contributed greatly to the 
communities of my district. For 39 years, Ms. Poitier has volunteered 
her time, effort, and hard work creating many programs that have helped 
unite the community. She is an outstanding individual who has generated 
respect, helped shape community pride, and manifested hope that was 
once lost.
  The Miami Herald recognized Josie Poitier in an article titled 
``Building Bridges Between Communities,'' published January 20, 1997, 
which commemorated her honorable civic service. I would like to submit 
a portion of this inspiring article for the Record.

       ``Every morning,'' says Josie Poitier, ``I go outside to 
     pick up my paper and I look up at the sky and pray, `Lord, 
     let me help somebody today.' ''
       For the last 39 years, Poitier has found plenty of people 
     to help--from senior citizens who had never been on an 
     airplane until she took them to the Bahamas, to the people 
     from a myriad of heritages she invites to her now famous Good 
     Friday/Passover brunch to share in a spirit of community.
       And that's only two of the projects of her page-long list 
     that includes: coordinating a holiday turkey meal for the 
     elderly at St. Mary's Towers, pulling together an anti-drug 
     workshop for 18 inner city schools, making sure her 
     neighborhood's lights are all working properly and promoting 
     scholarships and a college education for black youth.
       Ask her why she does it, why she runs so hard, and Poitier 
     will tell you it's because the elderly are lonely and their 
     children are too busy to visit, and because, in South 
     Florida, there's a need to build ``a bridge between people.''
       ``This opened a lot of avenues,'' she says of the brunch 
     that started at her Liberty City home 11 years ago and has 
     grown to 200 people who gather at Holy Redeemer Catholic 
     Church. ``Everyone comes together as one, like a family.''

[[Page E552]]

       Poitier, 52, a volunteer specialist with the Miami Police 
     Department, plunged into activism when she was 12 and the 
     Youth Club was formed in Overtown to keep kids busy and off 
     the streets. She became a member and as a result, Poitier 
     says, she developed ``respect'' and a commitment to help the 
     police department improve relations with the community.
       Throughout the years, Poitier has served on several city 
     boards and today is president of her neighborhood Crime 
     Watch. Beyond that, friends say, it's the small things 
     Poitier does for other people that make a big difference, 
     like remembering the loss of someone's loved one when she is 
     leading a prayer
       ``It's my business to remember,'' Poitier simply says.
       Her goodwill doesn't stop at home.
       She helps her daughter Vandetta, who is working on a 
     master's degree in business, and son-in-law Harold Scott care 
     for their twins, Harold and Vaniecia. ``My Josie,'' the 
     children call her. Whenever she can, Poitier takes the 
     children to her volunteer work.
       ``And they help,'' she said. ``I make sure they know what I 
     do. It enriches them.''

  Josie Poitier has demonstrated her commitment to strengthening and 
linking the communities in Dade County. Her enthusiasm and exceptional 
service to the community are special qualities. By any standard, she is 
a remarkable individual who is greatly appreciated by so many. Mr. 
Speaker, on behalf of our entire community, I offer Josie Poitier my 
deepest thanks for her outstanding service and our best wishes for her 
continued success.

                          ____________________