[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 29 (Friday, February 21, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E224-E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DR. CAROLYN COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 21, 2014

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Black 
History Month and to recognize a remarkable leader of the Tampa Bay 
community, Dr. Carolyn Collins. Her work as a public healthcare 
advocate, champion of education, and a broadcaster stand as a powerful 
testament to a lifetime of public service.
  After graduating from Howard W. Blake High School in the Tampa Bay 
area in 1965, Dr. Collins earned a degree in Foods, Nutrition, and 
Institutional Management from Florida A&M University in 1973. She also 
earned a Masters of Public Administration degree in Health Services 
Management and Administration from Golden Gate University in San 
Francisco, California. Having attained these considerable academic 
qualifications, Dr. Collins launched a long and successful career.
  Dr. Collins has been extremely active in advocacy efforts on behalf 
of the African American community in the Tampa Bay area. Her 
involvement in the Hillsborough County chapter of the NAACP stretches 
back to 1973. She currently serves as the Chapter President. As a 
Registered and Licensed Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Dr. Collins was 
a strong advocate for improving public health in the Tampa community. 
She served as a Clinical Nutrition Specialist for over 34 years at 
Tampa General

[[Page E225]]

Hospital. In addition to her professional work, she served as chair of 
the Employment Advisory Committee, serving the interests of over 4,000 
employees at Tampa General Hospital.
  Dr. Collins has also been an active voice in our community. From 1986 
to 1992, she hosted her own television show, ``Black Contact,'' 
broadcast on the CBS-affiliated WTVT Channel 13. She received the 
prestigious Creative Excellence in Business Advertising Award for her 
show.
  Dr. Collins has been a strong supporter of improving public 
education. Since the 1970s, she has been actively involved in the 
Hillsborough County Head Start Program in a variety of different 
capacities. She has served as the Parent President in the past and also 
represented the program as the chair of the Hillsborough County 
Community Action Agency Board of Directors. Inspired by the powerful 
effect of her own academic career, Dr. Collins has been active in all 
levels of the Florida A&M University alumni association for over 35 
years. For 7 of those years, she served as Vice President of the 
National Alumni Association, and afterwards became the president of the 
association.
  Dr. Collins has many honors to her credit, not only in her 
professional career but also for her outstanding community involvement. 
Her example is truly an inspiration to all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I 
join the Tampa Bay community in thanking Dr. Carolyn Collins for her 
many years of selfless public service.