[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF MR. WILLIAM M. COFFEY

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise today to extend my 
congratulations and best wishes to Mr. William M. (Bill) Coffey on his 
retirement as president and chief executive officer of Volunteers of 
America Greater Baton Rouge.
  It is my privilege to recognize Bill's dedicated service to the 
people of our State. During his nearly 40 years as a public servant and 
a nonprofit leader, Bill has helped countless individuals and families 
in need.
  Born in 1940 on a small farm in north Louisiana, Bill began working 
for the State Department of Health and Human Services in 1964 after 
earning a master's in social work from Louisiana State University. His 
distinguished career as a State employee spanned 25 years and a day, 
before his retirement in 1987 as deputy director of the Department of 
Mental Retardation.
  He then joined Volunteers of America--one of our Nation's leading 
human services charities B and in 1989 was appointed president /CEO of 
the organization's Baton Rouge affiliate. Under his leadership, 
Volunteers of America expanded its vital mission of service, opening 
new programs in Lafayette, Lake Charles and many smaller communities 
across south Louisiana.
  Today, Volunteers of America serves more than 14,000 south Louisiana 
residents every year--abused and neglected children, at-risk youth, the 
elderly, homeless families, people with mental illness or mental 
retardation, people living with HIV/AIDS, victims of hurricanes and 
other disasters, and many more.
  Above all, Bill has been a community-builder, bringing together those 
in need with those who have a need to serve.
  My wife Lois and I have experienced the joy of service through 
Volunteers of America many times, especially on our visits with the 
children at Parker House in Baton Rouge, a therapeutic setting for 
young victims of the most severe abuse and neglect. We were honored to 
be part of a recent $1.2-million fundraising campaign to acquire a new 
residence for these children, and a center to prevent child abuse. The 
outpouring of support for this new facility helped fulfill one of 
Bill's long-term dreams. It will surely be the crowning touch of his 
life of service, and his legacy for generations to come.
  For all Louisianans, I wish to express our thanks and best wishes to 
Bill and his family--his wife, Cooky, and their children, Pam and 
Blake--for many happy years ahead.
  (At the request of Mr. REID, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

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