[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 94 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1247]]



                       HONORING DEZIE WOODS-JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2002

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dezie Woods-Jones for her 
lifetime of distinguished public service. She has been a tireless 
community activist, civic and educational leader for more than 40 
years.
  Dezie's long history of civic involvement began in high school, while 
working in the Civil Rights Movement. She served as President of the 
Fresno Youth Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People (NAACP), later becoming an organizer for the Congress of 
Racial Equality (CORE), and a national fundraiser for the Student Non-
violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
  Ms. Woods-Jones has continued to demonstrate her commitment to social 
and economic equity by striving to empower women and working with young 
people. She joined the Peralta Community College District in 1969, as 
Director of the Merritt College Outreach Center. During her 34-year 
career, she served as an administrator of Student Services, Community 
Relations, and Governmental Affairs. First and foremost, however, Dezie 
considers herself an instructor and teacher. Indeed, she has taught all 
of us so much.
  Ms. Woods-Jones was the first woman to run for the office of Mayor of 
Oakland. She was elected to the Oakland City Council in June of 1991 
and served as the City's Vice Mayor from 1996-1997. While in office, 
Ms. Woods-Jones served as Chair of the Rules Committee, the Finance and 
Legislation Committee, and the Health and Human Services Committee. 
After her term ended, she returned to the Peralta Community College 
District and presided as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs.
  Over the years, she has continued her community activism, working 
diligently on behalf of the underprivileged and disenfranchised, 
particularly on behalf of youth and women. Dezie Woods-Jones was a 
founding member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) 
and has served as the organization's president for over 30 years. She 
is also founder of Black Women Organized for Educational Development 
and its outreach arm, the Black Women's Resource Center.
  Ms. Woods-Jones' commitment to the Oakland/Bay Area community is 
indeed unparalleled. She has been part of the Alameda County 
Interagency Task Force, the Greater Oakland International Trade Center 
Board of Directors, Chair of the Oakland Community Policing Advisory 
Board, and President of the Oakland Private Industry Council. Her 
outstanding service has been recognized by the Department of Defense, 
the Department of Energy, the American Heart Association, the City and 
County of San Francisco, the City of Oakland, the State of California, 
and the Congress of the United States of America.
  Finally, as we honor Dezie Woods-Jones today, I want to thank her on 
behalf of the entire 9th Congressional District of California for being 
a great friend and leader. Dezie has shared with me her wisdom and has 
given me support.
  I have known Dezie since the early 1970's and continue to be inspired 
by her optimism, her energy, her boldness, her intellect, her heart, 
and her soul. Those who meet her cannot forget her incredible sense of 
style and exquisite hats. She is a true role model who continues to 
touch the lives of women--young and old--in magnificent ways. Her love 
for people transcends race and gender.
  I take great pride in joining Ms. Woods-Jones' friends, family, and 
colleagues to salute the extraordinary Dezie Woods-Jones. Her Spirit 
soars even through difficult times. What a remarkable woman!

                          ____________________