[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1332-E1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF CATHERINE SUTTON-DAWSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2009

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I 
rise today to pay

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tribute to the life and legacy of an outstanding member of our 
community and my good friend, Catherine Sutton-Dawson. Though we lost 
Cathy much too early, her lifetime of good work has left an indelible 
mark on our community.
  Cathy dedicated her professional life to helping others. In a career 
that spanned nearly thirty-five years, she was employed at Yale-New 
Haven Hospital where she worked in a variety of roles, most recently as 
an outreach worker in the Maternal Child Health Initiative in the 
Department of Community Health. Cathy understood the importance of 
giving back to the community. The Department of Community health often 
sponsored a variety of causes and Cathy was always an active and 
willing participant. From toy collections and Thanksgiving baskets to 
community initiatives, Cathy was always available to lend a helping 
hand. She saw these efforts not only as a means to support those in 
need, but also as a way to promote unity and departmental teambuilding.
  Cathy was also an active member of the New Haven community. She 
believed in supporting causes that would enrich the community. As a 
member of the Connecticut NAACP, Cathy chaired the health committee 
which sponsored an annual health fair which reached thousands of local 
residents and families. She was also deeply involved in the Hill 
Development Corporation--a non-profit organization dedicated to 
bringing economic progress and improved quality of life to the urban 
neighborhoods of New Haven County. These are just two examples of 
Cathy's outstanding contributions to our community. The myriad of 
awards and citations that she has been honored with over the years, 
including Yale-New Haven Hospital's Annual Martin Luther King Dream 
Builder Award, are a testament to her unique dedication to civic 
service.
  Catherine Sutton-Dawson was a remarkable woman--always greeting you 
with a smile and open arms. She possessed an enthusiasm that was 
infectious and a kindness that inspired all of those around her. I 
consider myself fortunate to have called her my friend. I extend my 
deepest sympathies to Cathy's husband of twenty years, Tony, her 
daughter, Toni, grandchildren Frank and Amir as well as her family, 
friends, and colleagues. Though her loss will be felt throughout the 
New Haven community, she has left a legacy of compassion and generosity 
to which we should all strive.

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