[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO EARL PHILLIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2005

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor an 
extraordinary public servant, Earl Phillips, as he says farewell to the 
Peace Corps and embarks on a new life journey. Mr. Phillips has 
diligently served as the Country Director for the United States Peace 
Corps for the Eastern Caribbean for 6 years. However, his lifetime 
achievements do not stop there.
  Ranging from community revitalization to capacity building, Mr. 
Phillips' incredible generosity has touched many lives. As his wife, 5 
children and 7 grandchildren can attest, he has dedicated his life to 
the betterment of others. So much so, that even after raising his 
children, he and his wife Victoria decided to join the Peace Corps and 
served as volunteers in Ghana, West Africa from 1996-1998. While at 
that post, Mr. Phillips played a significant role in the planning of 
President Bill Clinton and the First Lady's trip to Ghana--the first 
leg on their historic tour of the African continent.
  He also has incredible ties not only to the great State of New Jersey 
but also my Congressional District. As a resident of Newark, he 
excelled as an athlete at South Side High School. After attending 
Howard University and serving in the military, he returned to our 
hometown where in 1970, he became President of the Urban League. From 
1972-1973, he served as the Director of the High Impact Anti-Crime 
Commission. During his tenure, he designed and supervised a national 
program that reduced street crime by 20%. Upon leaving the anti-crime 
commission, he worked, for 5 years, as the Director of the 
Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RHA), also in Newark. He later 
went on to serve as the Executive Director of 4 additional housing 
authorities in large metropolitan cities.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues here in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Mr. Earl Phillips, as he leaves 
the United States Peace Corps, and in expressing appreciation to him 
and his wonderful wife Victoria for their service to our Nation. During 
his time in the Peace Corps, he served as an outstanding spokesman and 
goodwill ambassador for his country. Beyond the Peace Corps, his life 
achievements speak volumes about his generosity and dedication to a 
cause bigger than himself. I am proud to have him as a dear friend and 
wish him never-ending success in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________