[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JOYCE M. TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2007

  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
accomplishments of Ms. Joyce M. Taylor. As she retires from an 
illustrious and dedicated career in the communications industry, we 
have the opportunity to reflect on her achievements and thank her for 
her years of service.
  Joyce was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She graduated from the 
University of Oklahoma at Norman with a bachelor's degree in 
journalism. From this early beginning, Joyce began her long career, 
traveling and working throughout the Nation, assuming leadership 
positions in some of our most influential communications companies.
  Ms. Taylor first served as the public relations manager in Oklahoma 
City for Southwestern Bell Telephone. After that, she held a number of 
communications positions, which included assuming responsibilities in 
advertising, employee information, news relations, public policy 
development and federal relations. Her capacities have taken her from 
Oklahoma City to St. Louis to Washington, D.C. Finally, she came to 
California, during an important merger between SBC and Pacific Telesis.
  At the time of the merger, Ms. Taylor was serving as the executive 
director of external affairs for SBC Communications, Inc. Her work 
during this delicate moment in the communications industry directly 
helped earn the support from many Bay Area community and consumer 
organizations for the merger. This resulted in Ms. Taylor's appointment 
as AT&T's Senior Vice President for External Affairs-Northern 
California.
  During all of this time, and throughout her professional endeavors, 
Joyce has always contributed to her community. Joyce has used her 
extraordinary talents to contribute to a number of worthy causes. From 
the arts to education, from industry to our neighborhoods, Joyce has 
always given back. It is our great fortune that the 9th Congressional 
District and the greater Northern California Area became her community 
as she grew in her capacities at AT&T.
  In April 1997, Joyce Taylor was appointed to oversee regulatory, 
legislative, governmental and external affairs activities for AT&T in 
Northern California. Continuing her natural enthusiasm and belief in 
charity and the growth of communities, Joyce has become integrally 
involved in many boards and organizations in the Greater Bay Area.
  Joyce serves on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Council, the 
Bay Area Economic Forum, First Tee of San Jose, the San Francisco 
School Alliance Foundation, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, the 
Tech Museum of Innovation, United Way of the Bay Area, and Women's 
Forum West. In addition, Ms. Taylor is a member of the Northwestern 
Regional Board of Operation Hope.
  Dedicated to the arts and education, Ms. Taylor also serves on the 
Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Ballet and as a member of the 
Executive Campaign Advisory Board of the United Negro College Fund.
  It certainly is not difficult to see how this remarkable woman has 
become such an invaluable part of our community.
  On behalf of California's 9th Congressional District, I would like to 
thank and applaud our beloved Joyce M. Taylor on the occasion of her 
retirement. I am sure that her contributions to our community, and the 
value that she brings to the young leaders following in her example, 
are only just beginning.

                          ____________________