[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 52 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E723-E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SYBYL ATWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 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

[[Page E724]]

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.

                          ____________________