[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A POINT OF LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS--ESTER SILVER-PARKER VICE PRESIDENT 
                 OF DIVERSITY FOR WAL-MART STORES, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
distinguished business executive well known to members of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, Ester Silver-Parker.
  She serves on the boards of International Women's Forum, Brenau 
University, North Carolina Central University, National Public Radio 
Foundation, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Wyndham 
Hotel Women and Diversity Roundtable.
  Ester Silver-Parker was named Vice President of Diversity Relations 
for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in December 2003. She is charged with the 
strategic planning and execution of Wal-Mart's diverse efforts as it 
relates to its supplier development program, philanthropic and 
community relations programs. Additionally, she is responsible for 
strengthening Wal-Mart's relationships with diversity leaders and 
leadership organizations in the communities it serves.
  Prior to joining Wal-Mart, Ms. Silver-Parker served as Vice President 
of Corporate Affairs and President of the AT&T Foundation for AT&T. She 
also directed AT&T's National Constituency Relations, Issues Management 
and Corporate Social Responsibility Programs.
  Ms. Silver-Parker directed AT&T's public relations field offices in 
the Northeast States, the Mid-Atlantic States and the Southeast. She 
established the first AT&T public relations operations in Puerto Rico 
and the Virgin Islands, designed and implemented the plan to increase 
AT&T's presence in the U.S. domestic field operations, and developed 
the organizational design for AT&T's field public relations 
organization. She also established AT&T's first constituent relations 
organization. She was the recipient of the Catherine Cleary Award, the 
highest leadership honor AT&T gives to a female employee.
  Prior to joining AT&T, Ms. Silver-Parker worked in public relations 
for New York Telephone, the National Urban League and as a journalist 
for Essence Magazine, the Review of Political Economy and New World 
Outlook.
  Ester Silver-Parker has traveled on behalf of the Board of Global 
Ministries in the Congo, Burundi and Kenya to study and write about the 
health conditions and quality of life of women and children. She is a 
frequent speaker on issues pertaining to women, diversity, corporate 
social responsibility, and strategic philanthropy.

  She received a Masters in journalism from Columbia University School 
of Journalism and a Bachelors of Arts in political science from North 
Carolina Central University. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State 
University's Executive Management Program and holds an Honorary 
Doctor's Degree in Humane Letters from Benedict College.
  Ms. Silver-Parker has received numerous awards, including the Ebony 
Magazine Outstanding Women in Corporate Marketing, the Congressional 
Black Caucus Unsung Hero Award, the DECA Award for outstanding 
businesswoman, the Harlem YMCA Black Achievers in Industry Award, New 
York City Gus D'Amato Community Service Award, the Atlanta Business 
League's Outstanding Corporate Person Award, the 100 Black Men of 
America's Corporate Excellence Award, the National AIDS Fund's 
Leadership Award, the Asian Pacific Islanders Women's Leadership 
Starfish Award.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Silver-Parker is a genuine professional who cares 
deeply about her community. I am honored to recognize her as a ``Point 
of Light for All Americans.''

                          ____________________