[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 50 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SALUTE TO SYBYL ATWOOD

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
woman, Sybyl Atwood. For the past 40 years Sybyl has been the linchpin 
of the social services community in my hometown, Flint Michigan. On May 
11 she will be honored for her selfless work on behalf of the less 
fortunate at a dinner hosted by the Resource Center in Flint.
  Relocating to the Flint area after earning her Baccalaureate Degree 
in Community Development from Central Michigan University, she gathered 
together a group of volunteers on February 14, 1966 and founded the 
Volunteer Bureau. Serving as the chief executive officer of the Bureau 
for more than 20 years, Sybyl defined its direction as an organization 
promoting volunteerism, grassroots community involvement and expanded 
delivery of social services in the Flint area. The Bureau evolved into 
the Voluntary Action Center in 1989 and Sybyl continued at its helm. 
After merging with United Way, the Voluntary Action Center became part 
of the Resource Center. Sybyl continues to head the Volunteer Services 
at the Resource Center.
  Thousands of volunteers have benefited from her training and 
guidance. She compiled the Genesee County Community Sourcebook, a 
reference book listing over 400 service agencies in Genesee County. 
Sybyl is also responsible for assembling the information and the 
publishing of the Emergency Assistance Directory, the Youth Volunteer 
Opportunities Directory, and the Reduced Income Planning Guide. She 
also coordinates the weekly Volunteer Here column in the Flint Journal 
and runs the Information and Referral Program. This program receives 
about 350 calls per month from persons seeking emergency assistance.
  For her service to the community Sybyl has received the American 
Society of Training and Development Chapter Award for Service, City of 
Flint Human Relations Commission People's Award, Genesee County Bar 
Association Liberty Bell Award, Toastmaster International Regional 
Communication and Leadership Award, the YWCA of Greater Flint Nina 
Mills Women of Achievement Award, the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Award, 
Citizen of the Year Award from the National Association of Social 
Workers, and earlier this week Michigan State University named her the 
2006 Outstanding Field Educator for the Flint Program.
  In addition to her work with Volunteer Services, Sybyl is also a 
founding member of the Emergency Services Council, the Genesee County 
Service Learning Coalition, the local Americorps collaborative, and has 
found time to work toward a master's degree in Public Administration. 
As a member of the Committee Concerned with Housing, she is currently 
studying the gaps in service in the emergency housing sector. Sybyl 
works within her neighborhood promoting the historic Carriage Town area 
and the propagation of Michigan's indigenous plants and grasses.
  Mr. Speaker, Sybyl Atwood embodies the sentiments in her favorite 
quotation, ``While there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a 
criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not 
free.'' She is a champion of the poor, the helpless, and the innocent. 
I am proud of my association with her, grateful for the good that she 
does, and treasure her inspiration, commitment and wisdom. The Flint 
community is a more humane place because of Sybyl Atwood. I ask the 
House of Representatives to rise today and join me in honoring this 
exceptional woman.

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