[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO PATRICIA SOWELL HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding business, civic and community leader who is a wonderful 
example of why we celebrate Black History Month. Patricia Sowell Harris 
is the global chief diversity officer for McDonald's Corporation in Oak 
Brook, Illinois. Under her leadership, McDonald's has become a global 
leader in workplace diversity.
  I am proud to say that Patricia is a fellow South Carolinian and a 
good friend. She was born and raised in the small town of McBee. One of 
11 children, she earned her bachelor's degree in public administration 
and personnel administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. In 
1976, she was hired by the McDonald's Corporation to work in its legal 
department. Nine years later, she was named the company's affirmative 
action manager. Pamela was appointed assistant vice president in 1997, 
and in 2001 she was appointed to her current position as global chief 
diversity officer.
  Charged with spearheading McDonald's diversity initiatives, Ms. 
Harris responded with considerable resolve and her efforts have 
produced astonishing successes. As a result, McDonald's is widely 
recognized as a diverse and welcoming place to work. Fortune magazine 
listed McDonald's 2 years in a row as the no. 1 company for diversity. 
Other publications that have lauded McDonald's for its inclusive 
philosophy include Essence, Hispanic Business, Latina Style and Black 
Enterprise.
  Patricia's hard work has not gone unnoticed in other quarters. In the 
course of her career she has been the recipient of many accolades and 
tributes. She was awarded the National Restaurant Association's Salute 
to Excellence and was inducted into their 2006 Hall of Diplomats. 
Working Mother magazine called Patricia one of the top 10 diversity 
champions in the country. McDonald's presented her with the Eagle Award 
and named its annual award for achievements in diversity the ``Pat 
Harris Diversity Award.''
  Her ascent through the ranks of the McDonald's Corporation is a 
testament to her professionalism and strong work ethic. Her extensive 
work in her community is a demonstration of her imitable character and 
strong moral foundation. She has said that ``the best accomplishment 
one can receive is to be asked to serve and give back to the 
community.'' Her unyielding commitment to this philosophy is evident in 
her numerous philanthropic pursuits.
  Patricia is a founding member and former chair of the Multicultural 
Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance and a founding member and past 
board member of the Women's Foodservice Forum. She is the chair of the 
NAACP ACT-SO Advisory Council and is the board president of the Y-Me 
National Breast Cancer Organization. She is also a board member of 
DePaul University's Business and Ethics Committee, the International 
Franchise Association's Diversity Institute and co-chair of the 
Rainbow/PUSH EXCEL board of directors.
  In 2009, Wiley published her book None of Us Is as Good as All of Us, 
which documents her rise from humble beginnings as a farmer's daughter 
to the top ranks of American business. The book also details her 
corporate philosophy and the steps McDonald's has taken under her 
leadership to improve workplace diversity.
  Patricia currently resides in Chicago and is a proud mother and 
grandmother to her son Dwayne and granddaughter Cydnii.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Patricia Sowell Harris on her impressive career at 
McDonald's and her ongoing commitment to her community. I am proud to 
add my voice to the chorus of individuals, media outlets and 
organizations that have praised Ms. Harris for her many 
accomplishments. She serves as a tremendous example of why we celebrate 
the contributions of African Americans during Black History Month, and 
I commend her for all that she has done and will continue to do on 
behalf of people of color.

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