[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E15]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO YVONNE SCARLETT-GOLDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
the late Honorable Yvonne Scarlett-Golden, Mayor of Daytona Beach, 
Florida.
  On Tuesday, December 5, this great pioneering lady succumbed to 
cancer at the age of 80, even as she continued performing her duties as 
the first female and African-American Mayor of that city. She was 
buried with full honors in her native Daytona Beach on Wednesday, 
December 13, surrounded by her six grandchildren, two brothers and a 
bereaved constituency. Her untimely passing will truly leave a deep 
void in our midst, especially in our state's African-American 
leadership and among the august membership of the National League of 
Cities, which looked up to Mayor Scarlett-Golden as one of Florida's 
truly great mayors.
  Affectionately called ``The Mayor,'' by her constituents and friends, 
Mrs. Scarlett-Golden was one of the best and noblest of Florida's 
leaders. She dedicated 38 years of her life toward championing the 
education and academic achievements of Florida students and those who 
came under her tutelage at the San Francisco (California) Unified 
School District. She advocated comprehensive academics for her 
students, along with scholastic projects designed to help students at 
the junior and senior college levels. Mrs. Scarlett-Golden believed 
that education was the best way for children of the poor to achieve and 
serve as responsible and productive citizens.
  A native of Daytona Beach, Mayor Scarlett-Golden obtained her early 
education at Daytona Beach's Campbell and Kaiser Laboratory School. She 
went on to get her Bachelor's degree, graduating with Honors from 
Bethune-Cookman College (B-CC), and later on obtained her Master's 
Degree in Education from Boston University. In 1999, her alma mater (B-
CC) conferred upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
  Former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, a longtime friend, said of her, 
``Yvonne was an incredible woman who achieved a tremendous amount in 
her life. She took on challenges and she was a real fighter. I never 
would've guessed the end was so near for my dear friend.'' ``She lived 
everyday as though her incredible life was never going to end.''
  This public servant was a multi-dimensional leader, an indefatigable 
community-builder, and a loving mother and grandmother. Her leadership 
was truly admirable. Mrs. Scarlett-Golden was a faithful steward of 
Daytona Beach. She was God's faithful servant, bringing hope and 
optimism to thousands of ordinary folks whose lives she touched so 
deeply, never holding anyone at arm's length. This remarkable lady was 
a friend of the family. She was my confidante, and I was blessed to 
have her as my god-mother. Indeed, for me, she will serve as an 
indelible reminder of the noble commitment and awesome power of public 
service on behalf of the less fortunate. Her faith was deep and 
resolute and she was blessed with a sunny disposition and enviable 
optimism. She will be truly missed.
  She taught us the virtues of hope, optimism and faith during her 
earthly sojourn. This is the wonderful legacy Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-
Golden left behind. And this is the gift with which she blesses us now.

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