[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 24 (Monday, March 1, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DEBRA GLENN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ARTUR DAVIS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 1, 2004

  Mr. DAVIS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and 
tribute to an outstanding member of our community. Mrs. Debra Glenn has 
been a driving force and an inspiration for the Expanded Food and 
Nutrition Program (``EFNP'') in Alabama for the past 3 decades. Through 
Mrs. Glenn's tireless efforts, EFNP has been a mainstay in providing 
self-sufficiency and empowerment tools for individuals actively seeking 
to break the chains of poverty. Mrs. Glenn, who was inspired herself 
while attending the program growing up in Birmingham's Housing 
Projects, recalls, ``Every week, I learned simple, affordable recipes 
that I'd take home and prepare for my mother and brothers.'' Mrs. Glenn 
goes on to say, ``Those classes opened the door to a lifetime of self-
sufficiency and empowerment.'' Empowered to succeed, Mrs. Glenn earned 
her degree in elementary education from the University of Alabama at 
Birmingham. Armed with her degree, she became an administrator with the 
Birmingham VA Medical Center's Health Care System.
  A stalwart in the community, Mrs. Glenn is actively involved in many 
community programs, including but not limited to Children's Hospital 
Volunteer Program, Chaplain of Heart Matters, Inc., Prison Fellowship 
Ministries, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Mrs. Glenn's fervent 
commitment to championing causes of those less fortunate than her 
clearly demonstrates the qualities that have made this country strong 
and continues to make her community proud. While sharing her story 
during a listening session at the National Association of Family and 
Consumer Sciences (``NAFCS'') in Kansas City, Kansas (October 2002), 
community leaders from across the country were moved by her (Mrs. 
Jones) unwavering resolve to provide a better life for those 
populations that have been underserved.
  Mrs. Glenn recalls having a strong community driven mentor as she was 
growing up. ``Mrs. Helen Tibbs-Wilson, retired Extension Agent from 
Alabama, gave me inspiration and educational instruction I needed to be 
successful in life. She (Mrs. Wilson) was one of the catalysts God 
provided to inspire me.'' Accordingly, Mrs. Glenn continues to give 
back in the same way. Mrs. Glenn has been an indispensable resource for 
the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and she will be truly missed. 
Her commitment, energy and efforts will not soon be replaced.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand today representing all those whose lives are 
richer for having known Mrs. Glenn, and to recognize her efforts and 
dedication to the community she loves on this second day of March, 
2004.

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