[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE PINK OYSTER INTEREST GROUP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 1998

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Pink Oyster 
Interest Group's service to Southern Prince George's County, Maryland.
  In January of 1996, five sorors, Patricia Oliver Bell, Annette Oliver 
Boxley, Irene Bullock-Overton, V'Nell De Costa and Gloria McCray Watson 
were gathered at Pat's Exclusives Boutique. In conversation, the 
subject of starting a local graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha 
Sorority, Inc. in the Ft. Washington area surfaced. Soror Gloria McCray 
Watson was charged with determining the procedure for starting a new 
chapter.
  As directed, later in the same month, Soror Gloria McCray Watson 
reported to the group advising them of the procedure for the formation 
of an interest group. A meeting was scheduled for March 29, 1996 at 
Pat's Exclusives Boutique.
  On March 29, 1996, the group's first meeting was held at Pat's 
Exclusives Boutique. Soror Carmilla Watkins of Nu Zeta Omega was 
invited to serve as an advisor to the group. The meeting was attended 
by Sorors: Patricia Oliver Bell, Annette Oliver Boxley, Yvonne Bundley, 
Irene Bullock-Overton, V'Nell De Costa, Brenda Jones and Gloria McCray 
Watson.
  On Sunday, April 21, 1996, the groups' next meeting was held at Pat's 
Exclusives Boutique. Soror Wilma Holmes Tootle, North Atlantic Regional 
Director, was our guest, where she most graciously sanctioned the 
formation of a formal Interest Group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 
Inc., in Ft. Washington, Maryland.
  The group met at Pat's Exclusives Boutique again in the month of May. 
However, it soon became necessary to move the meetings to another 
location because of the tremendous response from sorors in the area. 
Soror Gloria McCray Watson was charged with securing a location for the 
meeting.
  Officers were elected to conduct the business of the Interest Group. 
The Officers were: Irene Bullock-Overton--President, Gloria McCray 
Watson--1st Vice-President, Patricia Oliver Bell--2nd Vice-President, 
Pamela Mohammed--Recording Secretary, Andrise Payton-Watson--Assistant 
Recording Secretary, Brenda Jones--Financial Secretary, V'Nell De 
Costa--Treasurer, Annette Oliver Boxley--Historian, Angela Roberts--
Assistant Historian and LaKeisha Ratcliff--Philacter.
  Soror Watson recommended and later secured Harmony Hall Regional 
Center for the third Thursday of each month. In June of 1996, 36 
members strong, the Interest Group moved the meetings to Harmony Hall 
Regional Center in Ft. Washington, Maryland. Also at this meeting, it 
was recommended by Soror Angela Roberts that the group be formally 
known as, ``The Pink Oyster Interest Group''. The name was 
enthusiastically accepted by the sorors in attendance.
  By August of 1997, the Group had initiated various programs and 
performed numerous community service projects. Some of the programs and 
activities included but are not limited to: an ongoing senior citizens 
project at Livingston HealthCare Center in Ft. Washington, Maryland; an 
Adopt-a-School partnership with Potomac Landing Elementary School in 
Ft. Washington, Maryland; a voter registration drive; an Adopt-a-Road 
partnership with Prince George's County; donated school supplies to the 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., AKA-IFESH project; sponsored five 
Southern Prince George's County middle school students for the Alpha 
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Putting emphasis on Math and Science (PIMS) 
Camp held at Bowie State University; donated career clothing to the 
Anacostia Center for Mental Health; made a financial contribution to 
the Maryland Stallions Basketball league; awarded scholarships to two 
Prince George's County senior high school students from Crossland High 
School; sponsored a Minority Business Symposium; established an 
AKAdemy; donated books for the library for Potomac Landing Elementary 
School in Ft. Washington; donated career clothing to the Maryland State 
Department of Rehabilitative Services and participated in the AIDS WALK 
'97 in Washington, DC.
  The commitment of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is service to all 
mankind. The mission of this chartering shall be to extend Alpha Kappa 
Alpha's commitment to the citizens of southern Prince George's County.

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