[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING VERA B. RISON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, on February 27, 2003 at the occasion of 
Vera Rison's retirement I asked the House of Representatives to join me 
in congratulating her with the following:

        . . . Vera Rison is one of my dearest friends. I treasure 
     her wisdom, her common sense, and her ability to go to the 
     heart of a dilemma and seek a solution. The many years she 
     spent working at Genesee Memorial Hospital gave Vera insight 
     into the problems faced by average families. She has never 
     stopped working to ease the burdens faced by so many. Through 
     the positions she held as chair of the Service Employees 
     International Union Local 79, director of human resources at 
     Amy Jo Manor Housing Complex, the Genesee County Community 
     Mental Health Board, the Substance Abuse Services Board and 
     the Jobs Central Workforce Development Board, Vera has always 
     maintained her vision and commitment to a better future for 
     everyone.
       Through her work as a Genesee County Commissioner and a 
     State Representative, Vera was able to see some of her ideas 
     become concrete, working plans. She sponsored a bill to 
     reduce the number of abandoned houses. She also was the 
     driving force behind the renovation of the Amy Jo Manor 
     Housing Complex. In addition, Vera worked tirelessly for 
     individuals in trouble. She frequently advocated on behalf of 
     persons sentenced to prison. She arranged for basic services 
     to be provided for the handicapped and devoted many hours to 
     ensuring the uninsured received health care.
       The Genesee District Library paid Vera an awesome 
     compliment when they named the Beecher branch of their 
     library the ``Vera B. Rison Library.'' It is a tremendous 
     tribute that the library, where all persons of every age can 
     come and improve their minds and lives through knowledge, is 
     named for the woman who spent a lifetime witnessing the 
     potential in all persons and pushed them to achieve their 
     personal best.
       Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join 
     me in honoring a dear friend, Vera Rison. She is an 
     inspiration to me and I wish her the best as she starts the 
     next phase of her life.

  These words are as true today as they were 5 years ago. Vera Rison 
has stood at the forefront in the fight for justice in our community. 
As a County Commissioner and as a State Representative she has worked 
for the welfare of the community as a whole and as individuals within 
that community. In her empathy for children, the homeless, workers, and 
the disenfranchised, Vera has given her time, energy and love to help 
each person achieve their life goals. The list of persons and 
organizations benefiting from Vera's help is extensive.
  Madam Speaker, Vera Rison is one of the true giants of the Flint 
community. On October 3, Canaan Baptist Church will honor this 
remarkable woman at a reception in her honor. As a member of Canaan 
Baptist Church, Vera lives her faith daily with enthusiasm, joy, and 
pride. I am grateful for her friendship and her leadership and I pray 
that she will continue her work for many years to come.

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