[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF MS. KELLY REFFETT'S YEARS OF SERVICE TO ILLINOIS 
                           VALLEY COMMUNITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Kelly 
Reffett's years of work in community service and disaster relief and to 
wish her well as she retires from her role as President of the Illinois 
Valley Federation of Labor.
  Ms. Reffett began her career in 1979 as an operator for Ameritech in 
Canton, IL. After working for Ameritech for twenty years, Kelly joined 
the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago as Director of Partner 
Relations and AFL-CIO Labor Participation. For ten years, Kelly worked 
to expand preparedness education opportunities to diverse populations, 
served disaster stricken communities, and broadened partnerships with 
corporations and community organizations.
  In this position, she directed teams of nearly 100 people at 23 
locations, providing executive guidance and program assistance to 
onsite supervisors and Volunteer in Service to America members. She 
also served as Partner Services Manager/Officer and Labor Liaison on 25 
national relief operations including Hurricane Katrina and World Trade 
Center 9/11 operations. She co-developed the AFL-CIO's 2009 handbook 
outlining guidelines and policies for volunteer disaster relief 
operations. These accomplishments are only a small sampling of Kelly's 
impressive career.
  In addition to her national service, Kelly was also selected to serve 
at the state and county level. Since 2003, Kelly has served as a 
commissioner on the Illinois State Commission on Volunteerism and 
Community Service. In 2008, she was appointed to serve on the LaSalle 
County Board. Shortly thereafter, she was elected to that office.
  Throughout her long career, Ms. Reffett has also remained dedicated 
to the cause of working families. Serving as President of the Illinois 
Valley Federation of Labor for over two decades, she always put the 
best interests of Illinois Valley workers first.
  Ms. Kelly Reffett has had a long and proud career, one that is not 
ending as she retires from the presidency of the Illinois Valley 
Federation of Labor. Having worked with her over the years, I am sure 
she will continue to work to improve her community, as she has done 
over and throughout her long and successful career.

                          ____________________