[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KEITH CARSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Keith 
Carson for his extraordinary career in public service. Mr. Carson is 
currently a member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for 
District 5, where he has served his constituents with dedication.
  A proud Berkeley native, Mr. Carson graduated from University of 
California, Berkeley with a bachelor of arts in social sciences. He 
went on to receive his master's degree in public administration from 
California State University, Hayward. Mr. Carson served as an aide for 
Congressman Ronald V. Dellums for 14 years before holding public 
office.
  During his tenure on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Mr. 
Carson has promoted and continues to promote many beneficial programs 
for youth in Alameda County. Among these, Mr. Carson initiated the 
Family Journeys/Youth Ancestry Project in partnership with McClymonds 
High School, Berkeley Technical High School, Beyond Emancipation, the 
African American Genealogical Society and the staff at the Family 
History Center at the Mormon Temple. The Ancestry project is a semester 
long research project with the aim to spark conversations between 
youth, their parents, and other family members. Furthermore, Mr. Carson 
spearheaded a pilot youth bus pass program in 2001, providing AC 
Transit passes for all students in grades 6 through 12 who qualified 
for free and reduced lunch in the county.
  Mr. Carson has also been at the forefront of the fight to improve 
health services in Alameda County. One example, Alameda County's Place 
Matters is an initiative designed to improve the health of communities 
by addressing the social conditions that lead to poor health. In 
addition, he pushed for the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care 
Services to develop an African American Utilization Study to determine 
which behavioral health care services in Alameda County African 
Americans utilize in an effort to better serve the population.
  Mr. Carson is keenly committed to community leadership, serving as 
chairman of several Alameda County committees and organizations. He 
currently sits on the Board for the Alameda County East Bay Economic 
Development Alliance, one of the largest business organizations serving 
the East Bay Area. Mr. Carson is also the Chairman of the Alameda 
County Budget Work Group and is a member of the Alameda County 
Transportation Commission. Moreover, he represents the Alameda Board of 
Supervisors in State and national organizations, including the Board of 
Directors for the California State Association of Counties and the 
National Association of Counties.
  Throughout his prolific career, Mr. Carson has been praised for his 
commitment and contributions to the community. He has worked tirelessly 
to enhance the lives of the community he serves through public service 
and raising awareness on critical social issues.
  It is a privilege to call Keith one of my closest personal friends. 
We have traveled to Cuba, Africa, and Asia together and have shared 
many unique experiences in learning about the world and our 
responsibilities as global citizens. As our beloved, the late 
Supervisor John George instructed us--think locally, act globally. 
Keith's life is the epitome of that wisdom. As a longtime friend, Keith 
not only supports my work as an elected official, but constantly checks 
in with me to remind me of the importance of work-life balance, whether 
it's taking time to rest, exercise, eat properly, and spend time with 
my family. He cares deeply about my personal well being given the 24/7 
nature of my work and for that, my family and I are deeply grateful.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, Mr. Keith Carson, I salute you. I thank you for a lifetime of 
service and congratulate you on your many achievements. I wish you 
continued success as you serve the residents of the East Bay.

                          ____________________