[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 30 (Friday, February 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E377-E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF SISTER BARBARA SUESSMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 16, 2007

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to recognize the life and work of a tremendous 
role model, advocate, and longtime resident of Brooklyn, Sister Barbara 
Suessman.
  Born on February 26, 1937 in Brooklyn, Barbara attended St. Agnes 
High School in Rockville Center before joining the ``Dominican 
Sisters'' in 1956. It was through her involvement with the Dominican 
Sisters that led Sister Barbara to hear her calling and two years 
later, she pronounced her religious vows and embarked on a life 
dedicated to serving the underprivileged.
  Sister Barbara held a strong belief that through active involvement 
with New York City's youth she would be most effective in serving the 
community. It was this conviction that led her to commit her life to 
working with various community organizations, schools, and ministries.
  She spent the next twelve years teaching in several schools in 
Brooklyn and Queens. While she valued her years teaching the 
community's children, Sister Barbara wanted to take on more of an 
active role training peers how to mentor each other. In 1970, she 
accepted the position of supervisor at the Brooklyn Diocese sponsored 
``New School,'' offering special leadership training. After four years, 
she left to take over as Program director of the Brooklyn group home, 
Martin de Porres, where she remained until 1979.
  Sister Barbara's dedication to the community's youth was undying--she 
always sought out additional ways to serve. She was instrumental in 
founding ``Project Bridge,'' a program under the auspices of Christian 
Charities aimed at addressing the teen pregnancy problem in New York 
City. Over time, this modest program grew into a full-service 
organization with numerous locations around the city, providing 
services to teenage boys, as well as girls, who are pregnant, 
parenting, or at-risk of becoming parents.

  In 1995, Sister Barbara began yet another endeavor, taking the 
position of Director of Finance with her Dominican Congregation, and

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upon completion of her term, devoted the rest of her time with us to 
consulting for various religious congregations.
  Sister Barbara dedicated her entire life to serving others. She used 
the power of her beliefs and commitment to instill hope and inspiration 
in all who knew her.
  Therefore, Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to honor the life and contributions of Sister Barbara 
Suessman.

                          ____________________