[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THANK YOU, SISTER CARLA DOLCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 1997

  Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a champion of the poor 
and disenfranchised in Mississippi, Sister Carla Dolce. Sister Carla 
was born in New Orleans, LA, where she served as a co-director of the 
New Orleans Training Center for Community Organizers, School 
Administrator and Teachers. She has served as president of three high 
schools in Dallas, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Alton, IL.
  Sister Carla began her work as a community developer in Tunica, MS, 
through the Sacred Heart Southern Mission. She was the catalyst for the 
Tunica Organization of Women [TOW] an organization of women of color. 
TOW, together with five other northern Mississippi women's groups, 
formed the North Mississippi Leadership Network which is associated 
with other groups in a regional and technical network.
  Sister Carla was also instrumental in forming the Tunica Citizens 
Committee for Education, a biracial group to support public education 
in Tunica. She has also supported education by working with Northwest 
Community College, the YOU (alternative education) Program, developing 
a credit union workshop and parent participation mini conference 
sponsored by TOW in partnership with the Education for the Mid-South 
and the Agriculture Extension Services.
  Sister Carla has served as the eyes, ears, and body of support for 
the ill-housed in Tunica. Working tirelessly to see that maximum of 
government programs and funds are delivered to Tunica residents. 
Together Sister Carla and I worked with the State and national offices 
of Rural Development to provide over $600,000 in housing loans for new 
construction and repairs. In general, Sister Carla's efforts were to 
support movement for change that worked to assist the people in their 
efforts to bring benefits equitably to all citizens. Sister Carla 
Dolce, teacher, motivator, and bridgebuilder is now leaving Mississippi 
to bring her love and attention to those in need in Illinois. We will 
miss her greatly. Mississippi's loss is Illinois' gain.

                          ____________________