[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF MS. CONNIE FERRIS BAILEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
achievements of Ms. Connie Ferris Bailey, Executive Director of 
Operation Fresh Start, OFS, as she retires from her esteemed position 
after 34 years of service.
  OFS was founded in 1970 and provides young offenders and high school 
dropouts with opportunities to learn basic work skills, prepare for 
high school equivalency exams, and secure employment. Furthermore, OFS 
stresses the importance of giving back to the community by renovating 
housing into safe, energy-efficient, affordable homes for low-income 
families. Over the past forty years OFS has built over 215 quality 
homes.
  It is undoubtedly because of Connie's tireless leadership and energy 
that OFS is what it is today. In 1979, three years after joining OFS, 
Connie assumed the role of Executive Director. Under her tutelage OFS 
expanded annual enrollment to over 150 youth and focused on helping 
participants achieve self-sufficiency and become contributing citizens 
of the community. Connie's dedication to building a sustainable future 
and continuing Wisconsin's proud environmental legacy led OFS to begin 
providing conservation and stewardship services in and around Dane 
County in 1980. Additionally, since 2005, OFS builds new homes to meet 
or exceed Wisconsin Energy Star standards.
  Connie transformed lives of at-risk youth in Madison, Dane County, 
and across Wisconsin. To date, OFS has served over 7,000 people. 
Eighty-five percent of participants are between the ages of 16-24 and 
80 percent complete the goals of the program. Studies show that an 
astounding 60-65 percent of graduates remain self-sufficient. These 
numbers only begin to explain why the OFS model that Connie helped 
shape is so successful. It is not surprising that, in 1998, then 
Governor Tommy Thompson was eager to work with Connie to establish 
Wisconsin Fresh Start, WFS, a network of non-profit agencies operating 
under the OFS model that provide services aimed at increasing self-
esteem and self-sufficiency of troubled youth. Today, WFS includes 9 
agencies in 12 communities around the state and OFS continues to 
provide technical assistance to WFS.
  Over the years, Connie held every employment title within OFS, 
highlighting how vital each position is to the program's overall 
success. It is an understatement to say that Connie has been and 
forever will be an invaluable asset to OFS and our community as a 
whole. Her emphasis on the value of hard work, respect, and self-worth 
and her recognition of potential in each and every person makes her an 
inspirational role model. Thankfully, although Connie is retiring, she 
will continue to provide essential technical assistance to new 
Youthbuild USA programs throughout the Midwest. People like Connie and 
programs like Operation Fresh Start are yet another reason I am so 
proud to represent the Second Congressional District of Wisconsin. I 
join those across Wisconsin, the Midwest, and our great Nation in 
thanking Ms. Connie Ferris Bailey for her lifetime of service.

                          ____________________