[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1327]]


                       TRIBUTE TO CAROLYN ALFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Carolyn 
Alford, an outstanding citizen and educator in Southwest Michigan. A 
dedicated and committed individual, Carolyn first arrived in Southwest 
Michigan in 1969 as a recent high school graduate from Montgomery, 
Alabama. She came to visit her sister for a couple of weeks and, 36 
years later, she has yet to leave! Carolyn is retiring from a long, 
industrious term of almost 16 years with the Kalamazoo Public Schools 
Board of Education.
  Throughout Carolyn's tenure with the Board she wore many ``hats,'' 
including President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, among 
others. In her leadership roles, Carolyn continually went above and 
beyond the call of duty and could always be found outside of the office 
talking to parents and students regarding their concerns, attending 
open houses, or representing the board at graduation ceremonies, 
retirement dinners, awards presentations and, especially, sporting 
events.
  However, Carolyn's community work didn't stop with the Kalamazoo 
Public Schools. As someone who always felt a ``calling to be in public 
service,'' she is very active in her church, has served in numerous 
leadership positions with the NAACP, and tirelessly participates in the 
Northside Association for Community Development, YWCA Domestic Assault 
Program, the Douglas Community Association, Kalamazoo Northside Non-
Profit Housing Corporation and many other organizations throughout 
Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. All this while working full time as 
an administrator at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
  We in Southwest Michigan are forever indebted to Carolyn Alford for 
the good she has done in our community. Her lifelong contributions to 
students and families throughout the Kalamazoo area have had great 
impact and will never be forgotten. I wish Carolyn and her family all 
the best in retirement, and I sincerely hope she enjoys the extra time 
with her grandchildren.

                          ____________________