[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING KANDACE V. SIMMONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 1998

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the efforts of one of 
the hardest working young women in my district, Ms. Kandace V. Simmons.
  Kandace is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Simmons 
Design Group, Ltd., a building design firm located in Park Slope, 
Brooklyn. Simmons Design Group was established in 1969 by her father, 
the late Harry Simmons, Jr. as Simmons Architects. Ms. Simmons over 
sees the strategic planning marketing, financial administration, and 
project management of the firm.
  Prior to permanently joining the family business in 1994, Kandace had 
a varied career. After graduation from Yale University in 1988, she was 
a financial analyst with Chemical Bank. She later moved to New York 
City Department of General Services (DGS) becoming a senior policy 
analyst where she implemented City-wide cost savings initiatives. Ms. 
Simmons also coordinated activities for compliance with the Americans 
with Disabilities Act in city-owned buildings. In 1992, wile still 
employed by DGS, she founded Simmons Entertainment, managing jazz 
musicians and producing concerts in Houston, TX.
  At her father's request, Ms. Simmons returned to Simmons Architects 
in July, 1994 with overall responsibility for the business management 
of the firm. After the death of her father in October 1994, Ms. Simmons 
took charge of the company. In addition to managing Simmons Design 
Group, she is an architectural student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
  Born in Brooklyn, New York, Kandace Simmons is the eldest child of 
the late Harry Simmons, Jr. and Dr. Sharon E. Simmons. She is also the 
sister of Harry Simmons III and Carlton Tarver.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Ms. Kandace Simmons for 
all of her achievements, for being a woman who dares to be different, 
and showing young women everywhere that they can do, and accomplish, 
anything.

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