[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 153 (Thursday, October 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO RITA COSBY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 13, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Ms. 
Rita Cosby, a charismatic New Yorker who's energy and passion for her 
work is an inspiration to us all.
  Prior to joining network news, Rita was an anchor/reporter for CBS 
affiliates in Bakersfield, California and Charlotte, North Carolina. 
During her tenure there, she broke numerous stories, reporting that 
Susan Smith drowned her young sons and that the father of NBA superstar 
Michael Jordan was murdered. Her investigative report inside a Tijuana, 
Mexico prison exposed government corruption and allowed an American, 
who was held unlawfully, to be freed.
  Honors for the three-time Emmy' winner include the Matrix 
Award, Headliner Award and Jack Anderson Award for journalism 
excellence. She was also selected by Cosmopolitan Magazine as a ``Fun 
and Fearless Female.'' A recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor 
and the Lech Walesa Freedom Award, she hosts the National Memorial Day 
Parade broadcast to all US military installations around the world.
  A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Rita has talked to major 
groups all over America, including heads of state in Washington, D.C., 
ambassadors and foreign ministers at the United Nations, as well as for 
countless celebrity, charity and especially military/veterans events 
from coast to coast.
  Her first book, Blonde Ambition, was a New York Times bestseller and 
called ``The most talked about book in America'' by Extra. Her second 
book, Quiet Hero: Secrets From My Father's Past, is the most personal 
and important story of her life, as she uncovered an amazing history of 
heroism and courage involving her own father and shares the incredible 
journey in this highly acclaimed and poignant memoir. As a result, her 
father Richard Cosby, was awarded a special recognition by the Medal of 
Honor Society for his bravery. The book has raised money for the USO to 
help wounded soldiers and their families.
  She has headlined veterans' events with Admiral Mike Mullen, The 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as with performers such 
as Tony Orlando and Charlie Daniels. Because of Rita's ``extraordinary 
journalism and exemplary service on behalf of her community,'' October 
11th, 2010 was officially named ``Rita Cosby Day'' in the State of New 
York.
  Rita earned her bachelors' degrees from the University of South 
Carolina, graduating with honors. She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut 
and currently resides in the New York area.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Rita Cosby for her outstanding 
contribution to the fields of literature and journalism.

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