[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H12080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF SHERLYNN REID

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the millennium we 
have received and continue to receive and to see and hear and give 
great attention to the fact that we are moving into a new era. And as 
we move forward, it serves us well to look back and see from whence we 
have come.
  However, there are dates which are truly beginnings or ends of eras. 
The village of Oak Park celebrated such an event November 1 of this 
year. After 29 years at Village Hall, at age 64, Sherlynn Reid, a 
lifetime advocate of diversity and racial balance in Oak Park, retired 
as Director of Community Relations for the Village of Oak Park, 
Illinois.
  Oak Park is a vital, exciting community, home to more than 53,000 
residents of different cultures, races, ethnicities, professions, life-
styles, religions, ages and incomes. Diversity is highly prized, 
promoted, and nurtured in this community; and it has played an 
important role in defining the economic, cultural, and social character 
of this unique community.
  Oak Park works hard to ensure a desirable quality of life. Oak Park 
established a Citizens Community for Human Rights and the Community 
Relations Commission in 1963 to assure all residents of equal service 
and treatment. The commission works to improve intergroup relations 
without regard for race, color, religion, national origin, or sexual 
orientation. It works to ensure good human race and community relations 
and reduce tensions, and acts as a hearing panel for resolution of 
discrimination.
  In 1968, the Village Board approved one of the Nation's first local 
fair housing ordinances, outlawing discrimination. In 1973, the Village 
Board approved the Oak Park Diversity Statement.
  Sherlynn Reid started at Village Hall as a Community Relations 
Representative in 1973 and became Acting Community Relations Director 
in 1977. Shortly afterwards, she was appointed Director of Community 
Relations. The Community Relations Department enforces the Village's 
Human Rights Ordinance, the Fair Housing Policy and promotes Oak Park's 
Racial Diversity Policy. The Department participates in block 
organizing, community safety programs, conducts multi-cultural training 
and networks with community agencies and groups.
  Miss Reid was instrumental in creating the Committee of Tomorrow's 
Schools, the quota ordinance of 1974, the equity assurance ordinance, 
and the organization of the gang and drug task force. She serves as 
volunteer in charge of girls guidance for the John C. Vaughan 
Scholarship Cotillion and is the youth chair for the West Town's 
chapter of LINKS Incorporated, a national service organization for 
young and adult women.
  She has a special place in her heart for the annual Friends of the 
Library used book sale, which each year now occupies an entire floor of 
the Oak Park/River Forest High School. Village Manager Carl Swenson 
said, ``I can think of no other person who has had such a positive 
impact on this community. She is irreplaceable. It is a loss for us, 
but she is not leaving the community, she will still be here.''
  Reid responded with typical modesty. ``I will miss it. I enjoyed my 
job. I may get all the attention for what they do, but a lot of people 
in the community have added to what I have done. The people in this 
community are key, and I have enjoyed working for and with them. I feel 
it is crucial the community remain racially diverse. It is not a one or 
two-person job.''
  Sherlynn Reid plans to spend more time with her daughters and 
grandchildren but has promised to remain active in the community. She 
intends to finish writing two books, My Oak Park, and another one on 
her family.
  Sherlynn Reid leaves behind a living legacy, a legacy of love and 
respect, a legacy of struggle for equality and fairness, a legacy of 
building unity based on our infinite diversity, a legacy of unlimited 
economic and cultural growth and prosperity based on the fullest 
participation of every resident.
  Her legacy will continue to develop, and regardless of her 
retirement, she will continue to help shape the future of her 
community. We congratulate Sherlynn on the occasion of her retirement, 
and look forward to working with her for many more years to come in 
continuing to build an outstanding community.

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