[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PHYLLIS WHITE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 22, 2010

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I 
rise today to pay tribute to the life of one of my dearest friends and 
an outstanding member of our community, Phyllis White. Phyllis lived 
her life in the best and most rewarding way possible--dedicated to the 
service of others and to her community.
  I knew Phyllis for over forty years--a friendship that began when we 
were both organizers together for the Community Action Institute. She 
was always a vibrant presence back then, and she lived each and every 
day I knew her with compassion and humanity, grace and conviction. As 
an organizer, a counselor, and later as an academic advisor, Phyllis 
was always there to lend a hand, an ear, or a shoulder to those in need 
around her.
  Phyllis was no stranger to the rough-and-tumble of life. She lived to 
see both her sister, Natalie, and her lovely daughter, Linda, lose 
their battles with breast cancer. Yet, she never let these tragedies 
crush her spirit or diminish her vitality, her optimism, and her caring 
for others. She--and later her granddaughter Dawn--took over the 
leadership of Sisters' Journey, a breast cancer survivors' advocacy 
organization her daughter Linda had founded, to keep up the fight 
against this deadly disease and help ensure that other families did not 
have to share in their grief. And to the end, and despite her long 
illness, Phyllis took comfort in the small things, and never stopped 
giving back to people when she could.
  In short, Phyllis was a role model and an inspiration to me all those 
years ago, and will continue to serve as a source of inspiration to all 
of those fortunate enough to have been touched by her kind heart and 
compassion. I will keep her in my thoughts for the rest of my days. As 
we mourn the loss of Phyllis today, we can take solace that she is now 
with Natalie and Linda once more. And I know her legacy here in our 
world lives on--not only in her career and good works throughout Hamden 
and New Haven, but in the love of her children Ed Jr., Keith, Craig, 
Barry, and Anita, her fourteen grandchildren, and nine great 
grandchildren.
  Mentor and friend, Phyllis was an extraordinary woman. The impact 
that she had on my life has much to do with the person I am today. I 
will always be grateful for her many years of special friendship and 
for the immeasurable good that she did for our community. Phyllis White 
is a reflection of all that we could hope to be and has left a legacy 
to which we should all strive. Though I mourn the friend I lost, I am 
proud to stand today to celebrate her life. She will be missed but 
never forgotten.

                          ____________________