[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF MICHELE MILLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of a wonderful woman who was 
taken from us well before her time. Michele Mills was called home on 
Monday, November 12, 2001. She was aboard American Airlines flight 587, 
from New York to the Dominican Republican, which seconds after take off 
tragically fell out of the sky and crashed into a residential 
neighborhood in Queens, New York.
  Michele Mills was born to Priscilla and Eugene Mills on June 4, 1955 
in St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn. Michele remained a proud resident 
of Brooklyn for many years living in Red Hook and Crown Heights. After 
graduating from the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in 1973, she 
continued her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology where 
she majored in merchandising/buying. With encouragement from her 
sister, Tricia, Michele moved on to an aviation career working for 
Overseas National Airlines. In 1978, Michele joined American Airlines. 
She worked there for her remaining twenty-three years.
  Michele always kept her priorities in order: God, family, work and 
hobbies. She realized God's presence in her life at a very early age 
and joined Brownsville Community Baptist Church, where she served as a 
faithful member. She was a very spiritual person who routinely began 
her day with meditation and spiritual readings.
  Michele's family and friends were an extremely important part of her 
life. Her home was a gathering place for festive occasions. She took 
great pride in graciously serving others and did so with a warm smile. 
Her colleagues became her extended family.
  Michele was an avid reader, a gourmet cook, an interior decorator and 
a thrifty shopper. She was rarely seen at work or around the house 
without her ``book of the week,'' nearby. She became well known by her 
JFK co-workers, family and friends for her famous, ``Michele's Fried 
Chicken.'' Every aspect of her life was orderly; and her attire was 
always impeccable. She took little to nothing for granted.
  Michele is survived by her parents, Priscilla and Eugene Mills; her 
siblings, Tricia and Kenneth Mills; her fiancee, Henry Ray; two uncles: 
Bob Mills of Edison, New Jersey and Freddie Holmes of Columbia, South 
Carolina; five aunts, Albertha Bell of Brooklyn, New York, Dezel 
Mallory of North Carolina, Doris Mills of Edison, New Jersey, Lysine 
Holmes of South Carolina, Irene Holmes of Brooklyn, New York, a great 
aunt, Lucille Wilkins of Brooklyn, New York, one god-daughter, 
Stephanie Holmes of Brooklyn, and a host of cousins and friends 
throughout the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, Michele Mills was a woman who enjoyed her religion, her 
family, her work, and her hobbies. She worked hard, no matter which 
part of her life was her focus at any particular moment. As such I hope 
that my colleagues will join me in honoring the memory of this woman 
who was at the beginning of a truly remarkable life.




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