[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF LAVATUS V. POWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lavatus V. 
``Vate'' Powell, a friend and community leader, who passed away on 
February 17, 1999.
  Vate was known for his integrity, straightforwardness, and positive 
outlook on life. His life was centered around service to others.
  Vate was born in Mississippi and graduated from Jackson State 
University in 1955. He earned his master of science degree in 1964 from 
Case Western Reserve University. He was a Cincinnati Public Schools 
teacher from 1955 to 1965.
  He began his career with Procter & Gamble in 1965 as a systems 
analyst in the Data Processing Systems Department. He went on to hold 
positions in personnel, urban affairs, and public relations, before 
becoming public affairs manager. He went on to become vice president of 
Procter & Gamble's Ohio Government Relations Division, where he served 
until his retirement in 1997.
  Vate was an extraordinary community volunteer. He served as president 
of the Andrew Jergens Foundation; chairman of Preserving Affordable 
Housing; chairman of the Purcell-Marian High School Foundation and a 
member of the Purcell-Marian board of trustees; trustee of the 
Cincinnati Museum Center; member of the Partners of Children's Defense 
Fund, and a director of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. He served as co-
founder and treasurer of the Black Male Coalition; Capitol Revival Task 
Force; chairman of the Cincinnati United Way Government Affairs 
Committee; and president of the Board of Trustees of Family Service of 
the Cincinnati area. He was an elder at Carmel Presbyterian Church.
  In 1997, he received an Imagemaker Award from Applause magazine for 
his efforts to promote education. That same year, he was honored by the 
African American Leadership Network for his work with Procter & Gamble.
  Vate was a warm and caring person who gave generously of his time and 
talents. Cincinnati was blessed to have him as a leading citizen. Many 
of us were blessed to have him as a friend.




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