[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MILDRED HELMS

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 1997

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleagues here in the House 
of Representatives to join me in honoring a very special person who has 
made an enormous contribution through 40 years of dedicated service to 
our community, Mrs. Mildred Helms. On June 20, there will be a ceremony 
in Newark, NJ to pay tribute to Mrs. Helms, who serves as president of 
Clinton Hill Area Redevelopment Corporation, for her lifetime of 
service providing housing for residents of Newark and recreational 
activities for children.
  Mrs. Helms is the founder of two housing corporations which provide 
affordable home ownership to local residents. It was in 1963 that she 
first approached the Newark Housing Authority Urban Renewal office with 
a plan to develop new housing for the city. She has shown a great deal 
of determination, pushing forward for over 15 years until her group, 
the Clinton Hill Area Redevelopment Corporation, was finally able to 
see their first project become a reality. When I served as a 
councilman, I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Helms to expand 
housing opportunities. In fact, I first became involved with Mrs. Helms 
in 1958 at a community meeting at Southside High School where I once 
taught and which is now called Malcolm X Shabazz High School. Other 
housing activists at that time included Stanley Winters and Rev. Kim 
Jefferson.
  In addition to her work on housing opportunities, Mrs. Helms gave her 
time and talents to many volunteer efforts, especially with children 
and young people. I was pleased to become involved with a youth group 
she organized which became known as the Clintonians. She organized a 
group which became active in the Newark YMWCA. She also organized a 
Summer Fun Day Camp sponsored by her church and a Jewish synagogue. She 
also planned an annual Halloween Party and parade, involving local 
merchants who served as sponsors. Among the many awards and accolades 
Mrs. Helms has received are the 1986 Human Rights Award from the New 
Jersey Institute of Technology, the Private Sector Initiative Award 
from President Ronald Reagan, the 1983 Woman of the Year Award from the 
Sharpe James Civic Association. The Mildred Helms Park is named in her 
honor. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of this extraordinary woman who has 
done so much for our community. I know my colleagues join me in sending 
congratulations and very best wishes for many more productive and 
fulfilling years.

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