[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING RAYMOND W. FANNINGS

 Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, it is my pleasure and my 
privilege to join the family, friends and colleagues of a distinguished 
citizen of Chicago, IL, Mr. Raymond W. Fannings, in honoring him as he 
retires from the Chicago Child Care Society. Mr. Fannings served as 
executive director of the Chicago Child Care Society for the past 18 
years.
  Raymond Fannings leaves the agency with a rich legacy. He has more 
than 35 years of faithful and distinguished service in the field of 
child welfare. His contributions are widely recognized and his many 
community service awards serve as a testament to his compassion, 
commitment, talent, and vision. As the first African-American Executive 
Director of the Chicago Child Care Society, he has built bridges and 
forged interracial coalitions in behalf of the values held and goals 
pursued by this renowned social service provider.
  Under Mr. Fannings' leadership, the Chicago Child Care Society 
expanded its mission and became a moving force in the development and 
provision of family preservation services. Raymond Fannings also 
recognized the importance of responding to community needs. He 
dedicated substantial resources to both develop and implement services 
in many of the economically distressed communities surrounding his 
agency.
  During Mr. Fannings' illustrious career, he served as president of 
the Child Care Association of Illinois and as a board member of the 
United Way Crusade of Mercy. He is the current president of both the 
Child Care Association of Illinois and the Black Executive Directors 
Coalition. He has served on the Child Advisory Committee, the 
Governmental Affairs Committee for United Way, and the United Way Board 
of Directors. He is also a board member of the Free People's Clinic, 
president of the St. Mark Credit Union, and an active member of St. 
Mark United Methodist Church in Chicago.
  Mr. Raymond Fannings has distinguished himself as one of Chicago's 
most valuable leaders, and his achievements and dedication are a 
shining example to us all. His efforts have opened avenues of faith, 
hope, and opportunity for many children and their families. As my 
neighbor and friend, I know that retirement will only be the beginning 
of a new chapter of his advocacy for children and for community. I wish 
him all the best in his future endeavors.

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