[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO VERA RISON

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join 
me in recognizing an outstanding humanitarian, Vera Rison. Vera is 
being honored Thursday night at a Community Tribute and Retirement 
Dinner in my home town of Flint Michigan.
  Vera Rison is one of my dearest friends. I treasure her wisdom, her 
common sense, and her ability to go to the heart of a dilemma and seek 
a solution. The many years she spent working at Genesee Memorial 
Hospital gave Vera insight into the problems faced by average families. 
She has never stopped working to ease the burdens faced by so many. 
Through the positions she held as chair of the Service Employees 
International Union Local 79, director of human resources at Amy Jo 
Manor Housing Complex, the Genesee County Community Mental Health 
Board, the Substance Abuse Services Board and the Jobs Central 
Workforce Development Board, Vera has always maintained her vision and 
commitment to a better future for everyone.
  Through her work as a Genesee County Commissioner and a State 
Representative, Vera was able to see some of her ideas become concrete, 
working plans. She sponsored a bill to reduce the number of abandoned 
houses. She also was the driving force behind the renovation of the Amy 
Jo Manor Housing Complex. In addition, Vera worked tirelessly for 
individuals in trouble. She frequently advocated on behalf of persons 
sentenced to prison. She arranged for basic services to be provided for 
the handicapped and devoted many hours to ensuring the uninsured 
received health care.
  The Genesee District Library paid Vera an awesome compliment when 
they named the Beecher branch of their library the ``Vera B. Rison 
Library.'' It is a tremendous tribute that the library, where all 
persons of every age can come and improve their minds and lives through 
knowledge, is named for the woman who spent a lifetime witnessing the 
potential in all persons and pushed them to achieve their personal 
best.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
honoring a dear friend, Vera Rison. She is an inspiration to me and I 
wish her the best as she starts the next phase of her life.

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