[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATIONS TO MRS. AUDREY WEST

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleagues here in the U.S. 
House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute a very special 
person, Mrs. Audrey West, who will be honored at a Gala Retirement 
Celebration on Friday, June 29, 2001 by the Newark Preschool Council, 
Inc. Board of Directors and Head Start Policy Council for her eleven 
years of dedicated service.
  Audrey West began her Head Start career in September 1990. She has 
brought a wealth of administrative experience in providing social 
services and human development strategies to the operational goals of 
the Newark Preschool Council. Mrs. West's leadership encompasses a 
broad vision and wide range of knowledge, expertise, mobilization 
skills and community strengthening approaches, which were vital to the 
successful implementation of new programs demonstrating the mission of 
the Newark Preschool--to prepare our children to enter kindergarten 
READY TO LEARN READY TO READ. As the Executive Director of the Newark 
Preschool Council, Mrs. West has led an agency that is on the cutting 
edge of the national movement to develop family advocacy and sound 
educational beginnings for our children as they begin their successful 
journeys toward good citizenship. Mrs. West's accomplishments, role 
modeling and mentorship certainly serve as an outstanding example of 
generosity and community involvement.
  A native of Trenton, New Jersey, Audrey West received her Bachelor of 
Arts Degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C. Ms. West holds a 
Master's Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University. She 
served ten years as the Director of the Newark Division of Public 
Welfare (1968-1978) and ten years as the Deputy Director and Director 
of the New Jersey Division of Public Welfare in the Department of 
Health and Human Services (1978-1988). A true pioneer, she was the 
first African American to serve in these positions. Audrey West was 
also Special Assistant to the Commissioner in the New Jersey State 
Department of Personnel (1988-1990).
  Mr. Speaker, we in New Jersey are so proud of Mrs. West and it is a 
pleasure to share her achievements with my colleagues here in the U.S. 
House of Representatives. Please join me in expressing our 
congratulations to her for a job well done and our best wishes for 
continued health and happiness as she begins a new phase of her life.

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