[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO VANESSA HUGHES

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Vanessa 
Hughes.
  Vanessa Hughes was born August 17, 1959 to Rose and Leonard Reid Sr. 
She is the middle of five children and has two surviving brothers, 
Jeffrey and Bruce, one sister Shelissa, and a deceased brother Leonard 
Jr. Ms. Hughes attended neighboring schools, P.S. 260 and JHS 211. She 
has worked to support her community throughout her life. Known for her 
energy and enthusiasm, Ms. Hughes is the founder of the Community Based 
Operations for All Neighborhoods, a community civic group whose motto 
is ``Building Better Communities One Block at a Time.''
  The need for community, social, recreational and education programs 
was the structure for the implementation of C.B.O.F.A.N. A strong 
advocate of children oriented activities and programs, Ms. Hughes 
implemented an ``Annual Mardi Gras Health and Awareness'' event which 
brought local programs such as the public library, Office of 
Environmental Management and Parks Department to the community to 
explain the services they offer.
  As the current Grievance Committee Chairperson of the Brueuklen 
Tenant Association, Ms. Hughes acts as a liaison between the community 
residents and the management of the Breukelen Housing Development by 
keeping abreast of the needs of the community and forwarding them to 
the proper people to have them resolved.
  As a community activist, Ms. Hughes can be found working with the 
Breukelen Community Head Start Program, Breukelen Community Center, 
elected officials, neighborhood businesses and her C.B.O.F.A.N. to 
ensure that the needs of her community are met for the betterment of 
the community.
  Please join me Madam Speaker in recognizing Vanessa Hughes' passion 
for public service.

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