[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1142-E1143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CAROLE M. WATSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career 
of Carole M. Watson as she retires from over 30 years of nonprofit 
management, including the last ten years as Chief Community Investment 
Officer with the United Way of the Bay Area, UWBA. I join our community 
in celebrating the many ways in which her life's work has contributed 
to the success and well-being of countless people throughout the Bay 
Area and beyond.

[[Page E1143]]

  In addition to holding a Master of Social Work from Wayne State 
University and a bachelor's degree in Education & Social Work from 
Western Michigan University, Ms. Watson completed the United Way of 
America/Annie E. Casey Foundation's Family Strengthening for Success 
Fellowship at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government 
in 2002. Ms. Watson's experience in academia also includes serving as a 
university faculty member for undergraduate and graduate students of 
Social Work while residing in Tennessee.
  During three decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit 
sector, Ms. Watson served two Urban League affiliates located in 
Nashville, Tennessee and the San Francisco Bay Area. In her Urban 
League roles, she managed job development, led training programs and 
coordinated job fairs serving thousands of job seekers. Over the years, 
she has helped over 7,000 job seekers in securing employment 
opportunities with roughly 100 employers.
  In her most recent role as UWBA's Chief Community Investment Officer, 
Ms. Watson managed grants, programs, volunteers, marketing strategies, 
donor cultivation, collaborative fundraising, fund distribution and 
community building across seven Bay Area counties.
  As a member of UWBA's senior management team for the last 10 years, 
Ms. Watson has been known as a fearless and effective leader and 
mentor. She managed a $6 million portfolio with a Community Investment 
Team and Community Project staff, comprising over 20 members. And in 
2002, she was voted the esteemed UWBA Percy C. Moore Employee of the 
Year by her colleagues.
  The recipient of numerous honors and accolades, Ms. Watson received 
the National Philanthropy Day Foundation Professional Award co-
sponsored by the Northern California Grant Makers and Association of 
Fund Raising Executives in 2006. She was also recognized as the 2006 
San Francisco Boy Scouts of America's Whitney M. Young Community 
Leader.
  Ms. Watson's dedication to improving the lives of children, youth and 
families through economic development is evident from her countless 
community affiliations and activities. Whether serving as a liaison to 
the United Way World Wide Income Advisory Group, creating the Earn It! 
Keep It! Save It! Campaign, EKS, to provide free tax preparation for 
eligible EITC tax filers, or serving as Board President of the Oakland 
Emiliano Zapata Street Academy, Ms. Watson has donated her time to lead 
bold initiatives for the benefit of her community. She has truly 
created pathways out of poverty.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 9th Congressional 
District, Ms. Carole M. Watson, I salute you for three decades of 
outstanding service in assisting families to achieve financial 
stability and secure future success. I congratulate and thank you for 
your unparalleled service to our community. You have touched many lives 
in profound ways throughout your career, and we wish you and your 
family continued prosperity and happiness as you transition to this 
exciting new chapter of life.

                          ____________________