[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 111 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATION OF RETIREMENT OF MRS. MYRNA DECKERT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 2002

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the retirement of 
one of the most inspirational and respected women in El Paso, Texas: 
Mrs. Myrna Deckert. Mrs. Deckert represents the highest caliber of 
citizen we have in the United States. Since the early 1960s, she has 
been a motivating force in the improvement of her workplace, the YWCA 
El Paso, and as a result, the El Paso community as a whole. We are 
lucky to have someone with her rare mix of business savvy and empathy 
in our midst and I am proud to honor her today in the United States 
Congress.
  Myrna's service to El Paso began with her position as Teenage 
Director at the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region. Myrna quickly displayed 
her prowess for innovation and improvement as she expanded the Teenage 
Program from less than 30 members to over 1500 members and vastly 
improved the services offered. She then moved up to become the 
Associate Executive Director of the organization. It is through her 
efforts in this position that the YWCA captured national attention in 
Parade Magazine. Myrna created a place of respite and support for 
teenage girls with family problems called the Residential Intervention 
Center which was so effective that it caught eye of Parade, who ran the 
story as its feature article.
  Just one year after assuming the Associate Executive Director post, 
Myrna was made Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA El Paso del Norte 
Region. In the ensuing years, it was easy to tell that Myrna was at the 
helm. With her as head of the organization's 33-member board, the 
YWCA's operating budget grew from $100,000 to $35 million. Their staff 
grew from about 20 to over 800, and, the YWCA went from one building to 
numerous facilities valued at over $20 million.
  As CEO, Myrna received numerous awards and recognitions for her 
efforts. Some highlights--;as there are definitely too many to share 
all of them here--;are: the Woman of the Year Award from the American 
Association of University Women, the Director of the Year Award from 
the United Way of El Paso County, the Humanitarian Award from the 
League of United Latin American Citizens, and the ``One of the Twenty 
Outstanding Women of Year Award(s)'' from the El Paso Times in 1997. 
Three years later, the El Paso Times honored her again with one of the 
two ``Newsmaker of the Year'' awards in 2000.
  While reflecting over this amazing and substantive career, I would 
like to congratulate Myrna on her retirement and thank her so much for 
her years of hard work and commitment. Because of her efforts, I 
represent an area that provides opportunity and enjoyment to its 
citizens. Myrna, because of your efforts, I represent an area that 
people are proud to call home. Thank you. I yield back the balance of 
my time.

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