[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO SANDRA HOLMAN-BACOTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2005

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sandra 
Holman-Bacote, upon her retirement as a Regional Director of the 
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission which is mandated to enforce 
the Commonwealth's laws against discrimination.
  During her 29-year tenure, Ms. Bacote has served five governors. She 
was the highest ranking woman in the State civil service system and she 
has provided exemplary service to the residents of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania. Under her direction, the Philadelphia regional office, 
which has the responsibility to direct the Commission's investigative, 
enforcement and adjudication responsibilities in Philadelphia, Bucks, 
Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, has been widely recognized 
because of its commitment and continuity of diligence, effectiveness 
and accessibility.
  Fiercely committed to human and civil rights her appointment to the 
PHRC in 1976 was a natural fit. A distinguished alumnus of Temple 
University and the University of Pennsylvania, she was a part of the 
academic vanguard to integrate public administration and professional 
social work theory. Applying these disciplines she further expanded her 
portfolio to include international racism and discrimination as an 
official observer to the United Nation's Convention on the Elimination 
of Racism and Discrimination, in Geneva, Switzerland in 1983 and as a 
member of a non-Governmental Organization delegation to the United 
Nations Convention on the Status of Women in Nairobi, Kenya in 1985.
  Throughout her career she has involved herself with hands-on 
community building efforts by serving on scores of community and civil 
rights organizations.
  And as we look at her nearly three decades of leadership in the PHRC 
we see that she has successfully and valiantly combined government 
service, a sensitive and informed global perspective and a profound 
commitment to community and family.

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