[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO ANITA DEBREST

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                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Anita DeBrest as she reaches her 25th year as president of the COLT 
Coalition, a Philadelphia organization that she herself founded. Due to 
her tireless work, the COLT Coalition has built an impressive record in 
the past 25 years: it has developed many townhouses, including the 
first modular townhouse in Philadelphia, it has developed the St. 
Joseph's Apartment Building, and it has acquired many housing units to 
be used for low-income rental.
  Ms. DeBrest's accomplishments are in no way limited to her time at 
the COLT Coalition. While this marks her 25th year as president of the 
COLT Coalition, it is also her 50th year of service to the Philadelphia 
community. Her list of achievements is a long and diverse one: first, 
in 1955, she created a school to teach girls etiquette and job skills, 
next moving on to become President of the Benjamin Franklin High School 
PTA, and later to become President of Tioga Homeowners Association and 
the Tioga Nicetown CDC. She has been a member of the vestry of St. 
Simon's Church, and has taken on the role of Board Member in 
organizations ranging from the Nicetown Boys and Girls Club, to the 
Citizens of Tioga Nicetown, to both the Temple University Hospital and 
Jeans Hospital.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I extend my warmest congratulations to Anita 
DeBrest upon her 25th anniversary as president of the COLT Coalition; I 
also wish to express my deep gratitude for her many years of dedicated 
service to the community. I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues rise to recognize Ms. DeBrest for her many accomplishments.

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