[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ROVETA F. SIMMONS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. 
Roveta F. Simmons.
  Mrs. Simmons was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She is married to James 
A. Simmons of Chicago, IL. They have two children: Michael A. Walker, 
37 and Jamal L. Walker, 24.
  In 1999 Mrs. Simmons received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science 
from Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA. That same year she 
received her Collegiate Professional License for the Commonwealth of 
Virginia Elementary Education, kindergarten through fifth grade.
  Mrs. Simmons is the Director of Little Rock Child Development Center. 
She is assigned to the 19th Force Support Squadron, Little Rock AFB, 
Arkansas. She is the director over the Infant Toddler Center.
  The Little Rock Child Development Centers both are NAEYC accredited 
programs. The CDC maximizes availability and affordability of child 
care to include weekly, hourly, surge and emergency care, offering 
early intervention and provides the highest quality childcare that 
meets the development needs of each child and enables military and 
Department of Defense (DoD) parents to fulfill their military missions.
  Mrs. Simmons began her Department of Defense career as a Palace 
Acquire Intern with the Department of the Air Force in June 2004. She 
completed her two year Child Development Specialist Internship at 
Randolph AFB, TX and was assigned to Keesler AFB, MS as the assistant 
director.
  After two years she was promoted to Director of Keesler Child 
Development Center. She has worked tirelessly to create a well oiled 
machine. The Keesler CDC turned a failing budget around--from a 
$70,000.00 loss to a $12,000.00 profit year to date. Mrs. Simmons also 
served on active duty for the United States Air Force for 21 years 
where she retired at the rank of MSgt. Her last assignment was the 
Superintendent, Wing Operations Center, 402 TFW Holloman AFB, NM.
  Among her many recognitions she has received the Exemplary Civilian 
Service Award, the Meritorious Service Medal, 1 Bronze Oak Leaf, Air 
Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit 3 Bronze Oak Leaf, 
Air Force Good Conduct Medal 1 Silver and 1 Bronze leaf. She has also 
received the National Defense Medal 1 Bronze, a Service Star, Air Force 
Overseas Long Tour, Air Force Longevity Ribbon 4 Bronze, and the NCO 
Professional Military Education Ribbon.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Roveta F. Simmons for her years of dedication and hard work.

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