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




                      A TRIBUTE TO FELICIA LEMONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Felicia Lemons.
  Felicia Lemons is a Human Rights Specialist for the New York City 
Commission on Human rights. She spent her formative years growing up in 
Linden Plaza, Brooklyn, New York. Her family then moved to Cambria 
Heights, Queens where she expanded upon the value of family and love of 
community. Both her parents, Hank and Sadie Lemons emphasized the 
importance of education, social justice and helping one's neighbor.
  During a bible study meeting at the House of the Lord Church in 
Brooklyn, the Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry approached Felicia with an 
opportunity to work in his outreach ministry. He recruited her to 
advocate for formerly incarcerated women, as well as minister the 
gospel of Jesus Christ to the community at large. While under the 
mentorship of Pastor Daughtry, she trained in all matters of social 
justice, gender discrimination and serviced the ``least of these'' in 
the neighborhood.
  Also while in training, Felicia attended Long Island University, 
Brooklyn Campus. Felicia was on the Dean's List for seven consecutive 
semesters and is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society. Graduating 
Magna Cum Laude, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
  From Long Island University under the advice of Pastor Daughtry and 
Rev. Dr. Syl Shannon, National Convention Chaplain for Alpha Phi Alpha, 
Felicia pursued a Masters in Divinity Degree from Duke University. 
While working on her Masters, she served marginalized communities as a 
volunteer for Center for community Help in Durham, North Carolina.
  Felicia returned to New York to work for Commissioner Patricia 
Gatling at the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Serving as a Human 
Rights Specialist, she directs her talent and passion to educated and 
advocate for people transitioning back into the community from prison. 
In doing so, she works closely with organizations such as Alpha School 
Project in Brooklyn, Women's Prison Association, Young Women's 
Leadership program of August Martin High School, New York State 
Division of Parole, as well as Community Liaison for the Commission on 
Human Rights. From this work, she has coauthored ``Turning the Game 
Around,'' a comprehensive resource guide to Employment discrimination 
under the Human Rights Law for returning citizens of incarceration who 
desire to have a successful transition in New York City. Felicia 
continues to persist in her work. She believes to leave one person 
behind of a million under her watch, is to lose the battle at large.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mrs. Lemons for her 
extraordinary accomplishments and her spirit which reflect the best our 
nation has to offer.

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