[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E16-E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MRS. ADA McKINNEY DEVEAUX

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
the life and legacy of the late Mrs. Ada McKinney DeVeaux, a Miami 
native who was known for her contagious spiritual, humorous, and 
endearing personality. It is with both profound sadness, but also an 
enduring sense of gratitude for the tremendous inspiration she provided 
to the South Florida community.
  Mrs. McKinney DeVeaux was born to Edmund Sr. and Mary Edwards 
McKinney on September 2, 1931 in Miami, Florida. One of the 
distinguished members of Booker T. Washington Senior High's Class of 
1949 or the ``fantastic 49-ers'', she went on to obtain her Bachelor of 
Science degree and a degree in Registered Nursing from Florida 
Agricultural & Mechanical University. Mrs. McKinney DeVeaux was united 
in Holy Matrimony to the late Father Richard DeVeaux.
  A dedicated registered nurse for 42 years, Mrs. McKinney DeVeaux 
distinguished herself in a number of professional appointments 
throughout her nursing career. She served the community at the Dade 
County Health Department's Overtown office, Jackson Memorial

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Hospital, University of Miami Medical School, and retired from the 
Miami-Dade County Health Department as supervisor of nursing in 1997.
  While she was a devoted member of numerous community organizations, 
Mrs. McKinney DeVeaux had a special love and dedication to Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Throughout her 57 years of membership, 
some of the leadership roles she assumed were: multi-term chairperson 
of the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter's annual Ebony Fashion Fair event, 
advisor to the undergraduate Iota Nu Chapter at University of Miami, 
chairperson of the health committee and founding member of the AKA WISH 
Foundation. In recognition of her 50 years of committed membership, she 
was crowned a ``Golden Soror'' in 2004.
  In homage to her profession and the community where she was raised 
(Overtown), she proudly served for 14 years as the recording secretary 
of the Board of Directors, Jefferson Reaves Sr. Health Center, Inc. 
Also, always the consummate ``Rattler'', she was a life member of the 
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University Alumni Association.
  Mrs. McKinney DeVeaux remained devoted to her family, and will be 
missed by all who knew her. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her 
family--her children, Jennifer DeVeaux Robinson (Rodney) and Pierre 
Rutledge; sister, Barbara McKinney; brother, Robert L. McKinney, Esq.; 
special brother, Reverend Canon J. Kenneth Major; four grandchildren, 
as well as her nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and vast array of friends 
and colleagues.
  Madam Speaker, in the words of her Sorority's mission to provide 
``service to all mankind'', Mrs. McKinney DeVeaux has embodied and 
wholeheartedly embraced this throughout her life. While she will indeed 
be missed, her legacy will live on and the outstanding contributions 
and service she made to the betterment of Miami-Dade County and South 
Florida will never be forgotten.

                          ____________________