[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF MONIQUE WRIGHT, TRACEY A. ROBERTS AND THE DAYTON 
             METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY MARCH 19, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 1998

  Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and honor 
the work of the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority (DMHA) for its 
successful efforts and dedication to improving the quality of life for 
people in the Dayton area. The programs provided by DMHA are helping 
people move away from dependency to self-sufficiency. The success of 
these programs is highlighted by the uplifting stories of two 
remarkable women who reside in my district.
  Ms. Monique Wright has always been determined to improve her life and 
provide a good future for her children. As a single mother, Monique 
received public assistance while she attended school full-time at 
Central State University in Ohio. After the birth of her second child, 
it became very difficult to give her children the nurture and care they 
needed and attend school at the same time. Moniques' priority was her 
children.
  Because of her devotion as a mother, Monique pro-actively sought ways 
to provide for her two children. She worked at various jobs. But as we 
in Congress know all too well, jobs for the working poor often do not 
provide enough even for a family to eat. Monique was just making it 
from day to day. She wanted more for herself and more for her two 
precious children. That is why she enrolled in DMHA's Job Shadowing 
Program which provides job training, mentoring, and employment to its 
participants. Through her initiative, and with the assistance of DMHA, 
Monique received the training she needed to move her in the right 
direction.
  Today, Monique is a full-time employee of DMHA. She is giving back to 
the community by helping others who are in need. By taking advantage of 
DMHA programs, Monique has also moved her family into a better housing 
situation. In addition, Monique has gone back to school to earn an 
Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Social Work.
  Ms. Tracey A. Roberts is another wonderful woman who took advantage 
of these opportunities. As a single mother with two children, Tracey 
moved to Dayton in search of better job opportunities to improve the 
lives of her children. Tracey participated in DMHA's Family Self-
Sufficiency Program. This program provides people with the tools 
necessary to move themselves away from dependency on the government and 
enables them to be self-sufficient. Case managers work with 
participants to develop a comprehensive plan for change.
  Tracey enrolled in the program with the belief that a combination of 
hard-work, training, and motivation would help her take control of her 
own life. That is exactly what she did. Two years after enrolling in 
the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Tracey now holds a rewarding job 
and has moved her family into a new home which she owns.
  The programs of the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority work. They 
provide people with opportunities for self improvement.
  Like Monique and Tracey, Americans who struggle with poverty want to 
lead more rewarding lives. They want to provide a brighter future for 
their families and they are willing to work to achieve it. With the 
help of organizations like the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority, 
many more people like Monique and Tracey will have the opportunity to 
improve their own lives.
  It is with much pride that I recognize and commend Monique Wright and 
Tracey A. Roberts along with the Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority 
for their outstanding achievements.

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