[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E903-E904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CLARISA F. HOWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 1998

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Clarisa F. Howard 
and her efforts on behalf of City of Hope National Medical Center 
through her sponsorship of the celebration, ``Commitment to 
Excellence--Commitment to Life.''
  Twenty-six years ago, Mrs. Howard began her corporate leadership in 
financial management, strategic business planning, operations

[[Page E904]]

and personal administration. As the President/CEO of bd Systems, Inc., 
a female-minority owned small aerospace and information technologies 
firm, she had dedicated herself to developing quality products and 
customer service. For these efforts, she has been recognized by the 
National Association of Women Business Owners 1998 NAWBO Businesswoman 
of the Year Award, the 1997 Ronald H. Brown Award for Courage, the 1996 
AT&T Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the 1996 El Camino College 
Foundation Roundtable Award.
  In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mrs. Howard has an 
unwavering commitment to the community. She is a member of the National 
Association of Women Business Owners, The Trusteeship, the Southern 
California Chapter of the International Women's Forum, the Association 
of Black Women Entrepreneurs, and Emily's List. She supports inner city 
youth programs through in-kind donations, monetary contributions and bd 
technical assistance. bd's internship program for disadvantaged 
students provides mentoring and work experience while they pursue 
academic studies.
  Medical research became important to her when her nephew, Anthony 
Nickols, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At the celebration 
on June 13, 1998, Mrs. Howard invites others to join her in support of 
the researchers and Anthony's physician so they might continue to 
search for cures to give hope to future generations.

                          ____________________