[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF CLARISSA MAE ROGERS WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I rise today 
to mourn the passage of my dear friend and fellow Minnesotan, Clarissa 
Mae Rogers Walker. Driven by a desire to change the world for the 
better, Ms. Walker spent her life serving many in need in the Twin 
Cities community.
  Clarissa Walker began working as an operating room technician at the 
University of Minnesota Hospital. A few years later, Clarissa began 
working for Sabathani Community Center in 1968. It was at Sabathani 
that she discovered her passion for social work and she moved up the 
ladder in the organization because of her dedication and drive. She 
began as a youth supervisor, moving up the ranks to become a counselor, 
assistant director, acting executive director, and finally agency 
director of the Center.
  Ms. Walker strengthened the Sabathani community by becoming involved 
in organizations geared towards helping the disadvantaged. For example: 
Ms. Walker created and led tax preparation programs which led to 
thousands of low-income residents receiving millions of dollars in tax 
refunds. This program, like so many others she influenced in her 
community, is still operational today. Ms. Walker was an active 
volunteer and board member on a number of national and local 
organizations devoted to social services for low income families.
  Ms. Walker proved that one person can truly make a difference in a 
world where small deeds and individual strength can be overlooked and 
underestimated. Clarissa serves as an inspiration to all of us and has 
shown us that one person's determination to help those in need can 
truly change the world and the way we live in it. Her spirit of 
gracious fortitude will be remembered in Minnesota, and I ask that we 
draw on her strength and struggles in the work that we do for the 
American people at large.

                          ____________________