[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF PEARL CAREY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American and 
community servant, Pearl Carey, for her lifetime of achievements and 
service above self. Pearl is a long time resident of the Monterey 
Peninsula. All of us who have had the good fortune over the years to 
befriend her, know that Pearl has been one of the busiest people on the 
Monterey Peninsula--a true divine spark who has helped to light the way 
for all.
  Pearl grew up in Oklahoma, her girlhood ambition was to become a 
Christian missionary in Africa. She never realized that dream, but 
instead devoted much of her adult life to helping improve the lives of 
those around her, particularly children. She worked with the local 
YMCA, Salvation Army, Community Theater of Carmel, the National Council 
of Negro Women and the United Fund. Working with children has been one 
of her primary passions. ``I just love kids,'' is her simple 
explanation. She was the employment interviewer in the Neighborhood 
Youth Corps and Job Corps, worked with Head Start, owned and operated a 
child care center, was the CETA coordinator in the Monterey Peninsula 
Unified School District, and is a life member of the PTA.
  The list of Pearl's general community activities is also long. She 
was a member of the National Council of Negro Women, an advisory member 
of the Welfare Rights Organization, volunteered at Eskaton Hospital, a 
board member of Turning Point Prison Mother Program, and chaired the 
Seaside Community Heart Fund. Her political involvement included stints 
as the minority coordinator for California Governor Jerry Brown's 1968 
campaign, screening co-chairperson for George McGovern's California 
primary campaign, co-chair of the Northern California Black Caucus and 
the State Affirmative Action Committee, and delegate to the 1972 
Democratic convention.
   On top of all of her public service activities, Pearl has also been 
a local, regional, and even national leader in the golf community. Golf 
has always held an attraction for Pearl, but as a youth, few if any 
opportunities to play were available for an African American woman. 
When her military husband was stationed on the Monterey Peninsula, 
Pearl decided to take lessons and realize her ambition. She quickly 
expanded her golf game beyond the occasional game. Over the years, she 
has served as president of the Pacific Women's Golf Association, 
president and treasurer of the Western States Golf Association, 
president of the Seaside Women's Golf Club, and founder and director of 
the Seaside Junior Golf Program. She received the Joe Dey Award from 
the USGA, California Golf Writers Award, and Northern California Golf 
Association Golden State Award, honoring her for her activities. Today, 
Carey is involved with the First Tee of Monterey County, along with her 
duties at the Seaside Junior Golf Program, board of directors for the 
AT&T Junior Golf Association, and as the treasurer of the Western 
States Golf Association.
   Madam Speaker, the list goes on and on, and we cannot hope to list 
all of her many activities throughout her life. Most people would he 
happy with a fraction of her accomplishments. On February 9, 2008, 
Pearl will receive another honor in Monterey, the NAACP President's 
Award. No better choice could have been made than Pearl Morris Carey. I 
know my fellow members join me in congratulating her upon this well-
deserved tribute.

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