[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 69 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E877-E878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO MONICA GILL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 17, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Monica Gill, in 
recognition of her dedication to children and young adults as a teacher 
and social worker, as well as her accomplishments in the business 
world.
  Monica is not afraid of anything that comes before her other than God 
as she has always had obstacles in her life that she had to overcome. 
Losing her mother at the early age of 13 set the precedent for a 
difficult road ahead. She attended the Spence School--High School, 
University of Nebraska--Omaha, University of Missouri, Kansas City and 
Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work. Monica earned a BA in 
Journalism/International Studies, a M.S. in Urban Studies and 24 
credits toward her Masters in Social Work, respectively. While 
obtaining her college degrees, she had three children: Joan, and twins, 
Imani and N'Namdi. At the same time, she would also work one or 
sometimes two jobs.
  She began her career as a photographer/public relations assistant at 
Warner Communications. Next she went to Europe, where she assisted Air 
Force personnel with their college achievements in Europe. Monica 
returned to the states where she worked with the college administration 
preparing the paths for college graduates to successfully gain 
employment for one of the Fortune 500 companies. She would work one job 
during the day around her classes and on weekends, she worked with Cox 
Cable of Omaha in the production and programming department.
  In 1983, she received a scholarship from the National Association of 
Black Journalists for an essay she wrote regarding the life of Malcolm 
X. That same year she received a broadcaster's award from KMTV-TV Omaha 
and an internship from KETV-TV as a weekend reporter. She moved to 
Kansas City and

[[Page E878]]

became an in-house writer for the Federal Reserve Bank District 10. 
Afterward, she worked for the Kansas City Conventions and Visitors 
Bureau and the Kansas City Globe (an African-American Daily). Her 
journalism and broadcasting career was booming, until the twins helped 
her change careers and she became a Language Arts Teacher for four 
years. The frustration of teaching children who were dirty and hungry 
led her to become a social worker and work to improve the lives of 
youth. After working as a social worker for more than 10 years, she 
realized her specialty was working with adolescents from 16-23 years 
old. She assisted over 200 youth to obtain housing, GEDs, employment 
and vocational training to better their lives. Finding services and 
advocating for the youth was a God-given vocation for her, which Monica 
had to recently give up due to surgical complications.
  Monica is currently a real estate sales associate for Coldwell 
Banker-Five Star Realty and serves on the Bedford Stuyvesant Real 
Estate Board. She is on the Advisory Board for Building Blocks Child 
Care Center, Board Advisor for the NYS Office of Children and Family 
Services--Pyramid Reception Center, Bronx, and a consultant for the 
Caribbean Carnival Bands and Activities. Monica also attends Christian 
Cultural Center, which is pastored by the Rev. A.R. Bernard.
  Mr. Speaker, Monica Gill has significantly improved her community 
through her work as a teacher, social worker, and now as an advisor to 
advocacy organizations. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving 
our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring 
this truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________