[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO KEYONA DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Keyona Davis for her 
academic and extracurricular accomplishments as well as her commitment 
to the church and civic organizations.
  Keyona was born and raised in the borough of Brooklyn. She is the 
second daughter of Brenda and John Davis. Currently, she is a senior at 
the Brooklyn High School of the Arts, where she maintains a 3.0 grade 
point average and has been continuously on the Honor Roll. She is now 
enrolled in a Sociology course at New York City Technical College. 
Keyona is featured in ``Who's Who Among American High School 
Students.''
  Keyona has been involved in many extra curricular activities that 
have helped shaped her to become the young woman she is today. For 2 
years, she participated in a teen dance company that performed in 
competitions including the Eastern Dance Association, International 
Dance Challenge, and ESPN's own dance competition. She is a member of 
the Berean Baptist Church's Ministry of Sacred Dance where dance is 
used to present God's message. Keyona is a Girl Scout of the Greater 
New York area where she has acquired skills to assist in planning 
various scout activities and setting an example for young girls and her 
peers. Keyona gives back to her community by donating clothing and 
volunteering at her church's annual Thanksgiving feed the homeless 
program.
  As an independent young woman, Keyona has had many jobs since the age 
of 14. She was a camp counselor at the Professional Center for the Arts 
Dance Camp, clerical assistant at the Office of Children and Family 
Services, and at the New York State Child Support Office in 2002. She 
is currently a Senior Operations Specialist at Chase Bank. These 
employment experiences have helped Keyona grow mentally and gain an 
understanding of being a positive part of the workforce.
  After graduation this June, Keyona plans to be a pre-law student at a 
4-year university. A long-term goal has always been to become a 
prosecutor and a part-time dance teacher. Iyanla Vanzant once said, 
``Faith and fearlessness fuel your dreams!'' Keyona tries to live by 
this motto with her strong focus and dedication to things she loves.
  Mr. Speaker, Keyona Davis, through her accomplishments and maturity, 
serves as an outstanding role model for all of our young people in the 
community. 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 young lady.

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