[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2185-E2186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO JOELLE BAILEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Joelle Bailey for her 
accomplishments in the field of business and efforts to improve the 
manners of all people in our community.
  Joelle has over 20 years experience in catering, event planning and 
the restaurant business. Little did she know that a position at Essence 
Magazine would serve as the impetus for her to enter the food and 
hospitality industry. At a very young age, Joelle's mom Marie felt very 
strongly about manners and etiquette and instilled those values in 
Joelle and her sister Yves. Joelle has taken these values and

[[Page E2186]]

turned them into a lifetime mission not only for herself but to assist 
and instruct others in these areas.
  Joelle has learned through some of the best working positions at the 
Vista Hilton, Marriot and Plaza Hotels and LSG Sky Chefs. She received 
her formal training at the French Culinary Institute and Sky Chefs. By 
1994, she opened Classic Catering which is a full service event 
planning and catering business that caught the attention of the New 
York Times, Daily News, NY Post, 98.7 KISS FM and WOR 710. In June 
2004, Joelle was featured in the Daily News' ``Spotlight On Great 
People'' by Clem Richardson. Publicity aside, Joelle is pleased that 
her clients and guests approve of her fabulous catering and cooking 
skills. Currently, Joelle writes several columns, sharing her knowledge 
on entertaining, etiquette and menu and recipe suggestions. Some of 
Joelle's most memorable clients have included: The New York Urban 
League, Diana Ross, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Russell Simmons, Suzanne 
Taylor, The United Way, Bill Cosby, Children's Television Network, 
Jackie Robinson Foundation, New York Bar Association, New York 
University, Columbia University and many more.
  Joelle shares her love for young people by teaching courses in the 
art of etiquette, table manners, sophistication, food, nutrition and 
basic ``101'' cooking skills. She teaches these classes for the 
community in different schools and also in her home. Each event is 
sponsored with her own personal finances. Adults are welcome as well. 
Additionally, her very own etiquette/cookbook will be launched next 
year and a food show is in the works.
  On her son Issiah's 3rd birthday March 27, 2004 Joelle launched a 
not-for-profit foundation called Issiah W. Simms Foundation to help 
children improve their etiquette and manners. Eight years ago, Joelle 
realized that she was not satisfied with the etiquette and manners of 
today's children, teens and even adults. For her, there was a major 
state of emergency existing in society that needed to be addressed. 
This concern led her to form the Issiah W. Simms Foundation.
  Joelle is fortunate to have wonderful and insightful parents Hubert 
and Marie Valbrun, mentors (stepmother, Rosette Waynne), teachers and 
friends who are supportive of her work. She has a degree in Liberal 
Arts from Pace University and an MBA from Liberty University. She 
dreams of opening a finishing school that would be free to her Brooklyn 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, Joelle Bailey has been a leader in our community through 
her entrepreneurial accomplishments and efforts to create a more civil 
society. 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.

                          ____________________