[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 164 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CHERYL ANDERSON PEGUES ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 5, 2009

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join the many family, friends, and colleagues who have 
gathered to pay tribute to an outstanding member of our community and 
my good friend, Cheryl Pegues, as she celebrates her retirement. A 
dedicated professional, volunteer, mentor and friend, Cheryl has earned 
the respect and admiration of those throughout our community.
  Cheryl has been a member of the Administration at Gateway Community 
College in New Haven, Connecticut for more than two decades. She spent 
18 years as the Director of Financial Aid, a year and a half as Acting 
Dean of Students, and, today, is retiring from the position of Director 
of Student Development and Services. Prior to her move to Gateway, she 
served as Assistant Director of the Connecticut Talent Assistance 
Cooperative-Education Opportunity Center--a federal TRIO program where 
she also served as an education counselor. As you know, TRIO programs 
are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and 
support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  Throughout her professional career, Cheryl sought to assist young 
people in their endeavors to further their education. Many of those she 
worked with would not have otherwise benefitted from a college 
education. Education is the cornerstone of success and today, more than 
ever before, our young people are facing weighty challenges as they try 
to pursue a college degree--and those challenges are even larger for 
disadvantaged children. Cheryl's work has opened the doors of 
opportunity for countless young people and made all the difference in 
their lives.
  Cheryl's interest in enriching the lives of young people extends far 
beyond her professional life. Over the years she has been an active 
member of the Board of Directors of the Latino Youth Development, the 
Education Support Services program, the Children in Crisis Coordinating 
Committee, and the Urban Improvement Corps. Cheryl served on the 
original Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Conference Committee and has 
organized financial aid workshops and college orientation seminars upon 
request from local high schools, churches, as well as civic and service 
organizations.
  In addition to all of this, Cheryl still finds the time to serve as a 
Deacon and active parishioner at Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church. 
She also served as a member of numerous professional organizations 
including the Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha 
Sorority, the National Council of Negro Women, the Greater New Haven 
Chapter of the NAACP, and the New Haven Chapter of the Jack and Jill of 
America, Inc. Her invaluable contributions have left an indelible mark 
on our community and I have no doubt that Cheryl will continue in her 
work to enrich the lives of young people and make our community a 
better place to live, learn and grow.
  Today, as she celebrates her retirement from her professional life, I 
am proud to join her husband, Elbert, her children, Elbert and Elicia, 
and her granddaughter, Kaila, as well as the many family, friends, and 
colleagues in extending my sincere congratulations to Cheryl Pegues. 
Her extraordinary professional career and infinite generosity touched 
the hearts and minds of many. I wish her all the best for many more 
years of health and happiness.

                          ____________________