[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 59 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HONORABLE MADRITH CHAMBERS 
               FORMER CITY OF BECKLEY COMMON COUNCILWOMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 2011

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, being honored this Sunday, by her hometown 
church, the Heart of God Ministries in Beckley, West Virginia, Madrith 
Chambers remains a woman of distinguished character, who early on 
dedicated her life to the betterment of her community. She knew that to 
make such service her destiny, she needed proper tools.
  She enrolled in school and became a successful model. Then she became 
an assistant buyer for a major department store. Mrs. Chambers 
developed the poetry of style, which she still exudes to this very day.
  In Washington, D.C., she served our troops and their families from 
Bolling Air Force Base to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to become an 
Air Force liaison to military families.
  She came home to West Virginia, and did work as a legal secretary and 
cared for her growing family. She also took a job as a taxi cab driver.
  An active citizen, Mrs. Chambers was appointed to the Beckley Human 
Rights Commission, where she served as Chairwoman for 9 years.
  While working for the Social Security Administration, and knowing the 
value of a good education, Mrs. Chambers again pursued her educational 
goals while attending night classes at Bluefield State College. She 
obtained her long desired Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal 
Justice Administration and Law Enforcement in 1985.
  Upon Mrs. Chamber's retirement after 25 years at the Social Security 
Administration, she was elected in 1991, to the City of Beckley's 
Common Council, where she served for 12 years.
  During Councilwoman Chambers' tenure on the Common Council, she was 
instrumental in accomplishing major improvements for Ward 5, and in the 
Beckley Community. In her first two years as Councilwoman, she was 
instrumental in getting the City of Beckley to annex the Red Brush 
community of East Beckley, providing families with fire and police 
protection, water and sewage, and door to door mail delivery, by 
getting the City of Beckley to pave the ``red dog'' dirt roads, 
throughout the Red Brush community of East Beckley. This project is one 
that she is most proud of accomplishing.
  She possesses ``no fear'' in her determination to overcome obstacles 
to make life better for others. Councilwoman Chambers was also the 
first African-American City Council member in West Virginia to request 
and receive funding for projects through the Budget Digest of the West 
Virginia Legislature and was recognized for her efforts by former West 
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker, Bob Kiss.
  Being a mother, and seeing the need for children to have fun and 
educational activities during the summer months, she was first to 
organize the now annual ``Kid's Classic'' in the City of Beckley. The 
``Kid's Classic'' is a weeklong celebration that allows all children 
who live throughout Beckley and Raleigh County, an opportunity to come 
together during the summer, in a safe environment for educational and 
fun activities in downtown Beckley.
  Throughout Councilwoman Chambers' public service career she has been 
a driving force in the Beckley community. She was instrumental in the 
recruitment and training of minorities to serve as Beckley City police 
officers and increased the total number of African-Americans serving as 
police officers from two to seven officers during her tenure on the 
Common Council, a major accomplishment. Councilwoman Chambers brought 
Community Policing to the East Park, East Beckley, and the Maxwell Hill 
communities with satellite police stations.
  Councilwoman Chambers, under the ``Undoing Racism Project,'' 
facilitated training in the City of Beckley for various city personnel 
to develop sensitivity awareness in promoting fair housing and lending 
for minorities, health care, jobs and criminal justice. When entering 
the City of Beckley from the 1-77/64 interchange at Harper Road, 
travelers will be greeted with the words on an erected sign which 
states, ``We Respect Diversity.'' The sign was posted by the City of 
Beckley at the request of Councilwoman Chambers.
  While serving as Mayor Emmett Pugh's representative on the Mountain 
State Centers for Independent Living, she advised the Mayor on how to 
help bring the City of Beckley into compliance with the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, in meeting the mobility needs for individuals with 
disabilities. A short time after her tenure as Councilwoman, she 
secured donated land for the City of Beckley for the establishment of 
the Family Dollar Store, a national chain store built on the site of 
the former Pack's Supermarket in East Beckley. The opening of the 
Family Dollar Store in East Beckley provided employment opportunities 
for many of East Beckley's residents and is a source of great pride in 
the community.
  Councilwoman Chambers' accomplishments are many. She has served as 
1st Vice President of the Beckley-Raleigh County NAACP and was the 
first to run an African-American Girl Scout Troop in Beckley, under the 
Black Diamond Girl Scouts of West Virginia.
  There were many firsts for Mrs. Chambers, she was the first African-
American woman to become President of the Beckley Business and 
Professional Women's Club, the first African-American President of the 
Board of Directors for the Raleigh County Hospice Association, first 
African-American member of the Beckley Kiwanis Club, first African-
American Woman inducted into the Women of the Moose in Beckley and 
continues to be active in that organization.
  Councilwoman Chambers has been recognized for her many civic 
achievements in life. She was recognized by former West Virginia 
Governor Bob Wise for her leadership in the City of Beckley. 
Councilwoman Chambers received the ``Seat for Social Justice'' award 
from the Citizens Conservation Corps of West Virginia. The ``Seat for 
Justice Award,'' a uniquely designed artwork depicting a bus seat, is 
now on permanent display at the Beckley-Raleigh County Public Library.
  Councilwoman Chambers is among two living employees who worked at the 
old Conley High School in Mullens, West Virginia, and was recognized 
for her professional achievements by the West Virginia Black Hall of 
Fame in 2010.
  Councilwoman Chambers, a woman of deep abiding faith in God is a 
member of the Heart of God Ministries in Beckley, West Virginia. She is 
an accomplished pianist and over the years has served as pianist for 
several churches. Being the mother of three girls and two boys, she has 
a passion for life and endeavors to bring all brethren together for the 
good of the community.
  In the old gospel hymn that she loves dearly, ``Let My Works Speak 
for Me,'' Councilwoman Chambers desires that her life be a living 
testimony of what God has allowed her to do and achieve in her public 
service throughout Beckley and the State of West Virginia. Her favorite 
scripture is from Psalm 133:1 ``Behold, how good and how pleasant it is 
for brethren to dwell together in unity.'' With God, all things are 
possible is her motto.
  I hope all West Virginians will join me in recognizing the Honorable 
Madrith Chambers.

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