[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO JOYCE MARIE CANNADY

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Joyce Marie 
Cannady.
  Joyce Marie Cannady was born in Franklin, Virginia, to Sallie Irene 
and Jasper Williams. She has lived a life of service to others and 
continues to do so even as a retiree today.
  Ms. Cannady began her work career as a Secretary for the Department 
of Social Services as a member of the executive staff team. During her 
tenure there, she excelled at meeting the day-to-day operation needs of 
the department. Always a good listener, she was tasked with the 
assignment of addressing complaints of the office.
  In 1971, a co-worker informed her about a Medgar Evers College 
opening in Brooklyn. She accepted a position as the first Secretary in 
the Nursing Program, which began with sixteen students. Joyce helped 
set the tone and pace for the Nursing Program. She excelled in her 
position and received increasing levels of responsibilities over the 
years. In her role as Administrative Assistant to the Nursing Program 
Director, she was responsible for hiring and supervising support staff, 
scheduling student consultations and managing the on-going 
administrative operations.
  Ms. Cannady retired after dedicating 30 years of service to an 
institution that continues to educate students by supporting its motto: 
``Creating success one student at a time.'' She has also worked with 
the AmeriCorps program, serving as a reading and writing tutor for 
first and second grade students at P.S. 57 in Queens.
  In her spare time, she dedicates her experience and talent to others. 
Her community activism began in the early 1980s, when she created the 
United Neighborhood Block Association in Queens and became its first 
President. The association was designed to increase the sense of 
community within the neighborhood. She also became a member of the 
Queens Village Civic Association, Queens Democratic Club, Eleanor 
Roosevelt Democratic Club, Women's Caucus for Congressman Towns and 
AmeriCorps Alumni. She has served as a leader for other service 
committees. She was the Executive Secretary, District Council 37 
Women's Committee and President of the Youth Department of Black Trade 
Unionists. As a member of the Retirees Committee, she continues to live 
a life of service and currently serves as the Executive Secretary for 
the Church of God In Christ Jesus, N.D. Inc. She is also proud to have 
been ordained as a Minister by her Bishop, W.H. Amos in 2008.
  Ms. Cannady's contributions to others have not gone unnoticed. Over 
the years she has been awarded the Medgar Evers College Secretary of 
the Year Award, U.S. Air Force Special Presidential Citation, 
Administrative Assistant of the Year Award, DC 37 People Merit Award 
and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Youth Department Award.
  She has been married for fifty years to Ivory; they are the proud 
parents of three adult daughters, Vernay, Valerie, and Aesha. She also 
has two sons-in-law, Eugene Simmons and Scott Lynch, and a 
granddaughter, Ashley Simmons.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
achievements of Joyce Marie Cannady.

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