[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN TRIBUTE TO THE LATE BEATRICE REEVES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2006

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to inform my 
colleagues about the passing of a great lady of Miami and an anchor of 
one of Miami's great families: the late Beatrice ``Bee'' Reeves. Her 
sudden passing last Saturday, June 10, 2006 has truly left a deep void 
in our midst.
  Mrs. Reeves represented the best and the noblest of our community. In 
her quiet but dignified way, she dedicated a major portion of her life 
to service in groups like the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Links, 
and the MRS Club, where she served as a past president. Her mission in 
life girded her belief that understanding of and compassion for the 
less fortunate defined her life-vocation as a gifted Christian and as a 
community leader who never sought the limelight.
  She also loved to play bridge, and she was a member of the Tuesday 
and Saturday bridge clubs. From the stories I have heard about her 
enthusiasm and skill, you definitely wanted to have Mrs. Reeves playing 
on your side.
  She was a multi-talented servant of the people, a civic activist, and 
an indefatigable community-builder, always thinking of others in her 
endeavors. The genuineness of her stewardship on behalf of our 
community was buttressed by her utmost consecration to her vocation as 
God's faithful servant, bringing hope and optimism to countless 
ordinary folks whose lives she touched so deeply, never holding anyone 
at arm's length.
  This remarkable lady was our community's friend and confidante. I am 
deeply saddened by her passing. She will indeed be an indelible 
reminder of the noble commitment and quiet power of friendship she 
extended to anyone who came to her for help and advice. Her faith was 
deep and genuine, and her love for our community evoked her dynamic 
friendship and thorough understanding of the struggles and travails we 
have had to endure throughout all the years. No one who knew her--and 
was struck by her sunny disposition and optimism--went away not 
acknowledging the presence of a caring and compassionate community 
leader.
  This Friday, June 16, 2006 a funeral mass will be celebrated at 
Miami's Episcopal Church

[[Page E1176]]

of the Incarnation officiated by the Rev. Kenneth Major, her pastor and 
spiritual adviser. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to her 
husband, Mr. Garth Reeves, the publisher emeritus of The Miami Times; 
her sister Dorothy Burrows Baker; and her stepdaughters Rachel Reeves 
and Lynnette Richardson.
  I join the Miami-Dade community in celebrating her life and her 
friendship. She will carry on through the example she set and the 
wonderful thoughts and memories we all have of her. This is the 
wonderful legacy the late Beatrice ``Bee'' Reeves left behind.

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