[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ONE FOR DEBUTANT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th anniversary 
of The Pals, an organization in San Antonio, Texas that has been 
helping young black women enter adulthood with more ease and grace 
through their annual Debutante Ball.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1925, four young ladies were meeting weekly for a 
social game of bridge. One of the women, Vivian Lowery Vincent 
suggested that they start The Pals. The name derived from the phrase 
``pleasant attitude toward life.'' Others soon joined the group, and by 
1927, these women envisioned a dream to present young, African American 
girls approaching adulthood to society. This dream became reality when 
The Pals hosted the first Debutante Ball in 1928.
  The Club members believed that the social life of young Black women 
in San Antonio would be more secure by having, in their background, the 
interest of older, caring, dynamic women. They also knew that, in the 
goal for the perpetuity of African Americans, there was an urgency to 
preserve ``gentility'' within the race. Subsequently, The Pals selected 
and sponsored debutantes to develop and promote social and civic 
awareness, cultural dignity, pride and sense of self.
  In 1979, The Pals were honored by the United Negro College Fund, Inc 
and presented the Fred D. Patterson Award and in 1992, the National 
Council of Negro Women, Inc honored The Pals for the organization's 
outstanding leadership toward the growth and development of the 
Minority Community of San Antonio. Each year accolades are received 
from parents, citizens and debutantes.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor The Pals for helping young women in 
our community.

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