[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE REVEREND BONITA GRUBBS FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE 
                               COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join family, friends, colleagues, and the New Haven community 
in extending recognizing my good friend, the Reverend Bonita Grubbs, as 
we gather to celebrate her 20th Anniversary as the Executive Director 
of Christian Community Action. It has been through her outstanding 
leadership and vision that Christian Community Action has grown into an 
invaluable resource for those most in need.
  Christian Community Action is a non-profit ecumenical social service 
organization whose mission includes providing emergency food, housing, 
and support to New Haven's poor while encouraging them to attain self-
sufficiency. Christian Community Action is also a vocal advocate for 
the most vulnerable of our citizens--working to change the systems that 
perpetuate poverty and injustice. For twenty of its thirty year 
history, Bonita has been at the helm of this institution where she has 
led the way in expanding its programs and services. She has a unique 
combination of compassion, generosity, and vision which has enabled her 
to ensure that this agency can continue to meet the changing needs of 
the poor.
  More than just her professional contributions have made Bonita one of 
our most respected community leaders. She has served on the Boards of 
the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, the International Festival 
of Arts and currently serves on the Boards of the Hospital of Saint 
Raphael, Connecticut Voices for Children, the Connecticut Housing 
Coalition, Quinnipiac Bank and Trust, and the Connecticut Center for 
School Change. She has been a member of the Judicial Review Council for 
the State of Connecticut as well as president of the Connecticut 
Coalition to End Homelessness. Ordained to the Christian Ministry 
within the American Baptist Church in November of 1987, Bonita has also 
served as the Interim Pastor of the Christian Baptist Church in Hamden, 
Connecticut. Bonita understands the importance of being involved in 
one's community and has made an extraordinary effort to enrich the 
lives of those less fortunate.
  Her work with Christian Community Action as well her myriad of 
volunteer efforts have changed the face of the New Haven community and 
brought much needed attention to the needs of the poor. Bonita knows 
that the prosperity of a community lies in the willingness of its 
members to give back and she has done much to strengthen the bonds of 
our community.
  I must also take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to 
Bonita for her many years of special friendship. She has been a source 
of inspiration to me and so many others. I am honored to take this 
moment to stand and recognize the Reverend Bonita Grubbs for her 20 
years of dedicated service to Christian Community Action and her 
outstanding contributions. Every community should be so fortunate as to 
have such an accomplished and devoted advocate. mentor, and friend.

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