[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E779-E780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO LEORA KEITH

                                 ______
                                 

                          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 Leora Keith.
  Mrs. Leora Keith is a widow and mother of four biological daughters. 
She is the adoptive mother of two and a past foster mother. She is a 
retired early childhood educator who served thirty seven years with the 
New York City Board of Education. Mrs. Keith encouraged countless 
children and their families, as she guided them towards successful 
careers.
  Mrs. Keith has been a member of the Upper Room Full Gospel Baptist 
Church for more than thirty years, where she has served on the Usher 
Board, as church clerk, worked with the youth and sings in the Senior 
Choir. Through her work with her congregation, she has inspired many 
with her commitment to family, community and church.
  Mrs. Keith is affiliated with the Order of Eastern Star under the 
Star of Bethlehem Grand Chapter where she held the titles of Matron and 
a Deputy Grand Matron. She is a lifelong member of the National Council 
of Negro Women Inc., where she served as Vice President of the Brooklyn 
section. A member of the Brooklyn Reading Association, The New York 
Alliance of Black School Educators, Board member of the Nascent 
Victorian Place Cultural Center, which is a non-profit multi-cultural 
center, dedicated to building links between communities. She is 
currently President of Tompkins Houses Resident Association Inc., where 
she partners with the Fresh Air

[[Page E780]]

Fund and Literacy Teen Reading partner program. Mrs. Keith is also a 
member of the Cabs Home Attendants Service Inc., and Continuous Quality 
Improvement committee.
  Leora Keith received a Bachelor Degree in Professional Studies from 
Pace University's Manhattan campus with a concentration in reading. She 
has master credits from Touro Graduate School of Education and 
Psychology in Early Childhood and Special Education.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the extraordinary level 
of passion and commitment towards the betterment of our youth that 
Leora Keith has given us.

                          ____________________