[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            EVANGELINE BEST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2015

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 
outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during 
Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to 
African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and 
patriotic service.
  I rise today to pay tribute to a truly gifted leader of the Tampa Bay 
community, Evangeline Best. Her boundless energy and unending civic 
engagement are an inspiration to all. Today, I am grateful to recognize 
her innumerable contributions to Hillsborough County.
  Evangeline Best is a native Floridian who was raised in Tampa. She 
earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, 
North Carolina and a Masters in Education at Florida A&M University. 
Ms. Best has been a tireless advocate for community development and 
education as a means of ending poverty. Ms. Best's impressive career in 
education began in Tampa where she worked for over 27 years as a Family 
Services Worker for Hillsborough County Schools and completed the last 
5 years as the Family Services Coordinator.
  Beyond Ms. Best's professional career, she also committed her 
personal life to the betterment of her neighbors in Hillsborough 
County. She served as Chairman of the East Tampa School Community 
Partnership as well as Vice Chairwoman of the Heart of East Tamp-Front 
Porch, Inc. Both are organizations critical to the success of East 
Tampa and Hillsborough County. Currently she serves on a number of 
vital committees including Vice Chair of the Corporation to Develop 
Communities in Tampa, Inc., and as a member of the Board of Directors 
with the West Central Florida Area Aging Advisory Committee, as well as 
a member of the Florida State Fair Diversity Committee. She also 
volunteers weekly with the Abe Brown Ministries Family Reunification 
Video Visitation Program and is a consultant for REACH UP, Inc.
  Given her outstanding efforts, Ms. Best has received a number of 
honors and awards including the 2010 Bank of America ``Volunteer Hero 
Award'', the 2005 National Head Start Association ``Lifetime 
Achievement Award'', and the 2005 Neighborhood Works New Horizons 
``Dorothy Richardson Award'' for Community Leadership and Commitment 
Revitalization America's Neighborhoods. Her accomplishments include 50 
years of community involvement as a member of the First Baptist Church 
of College Hill, the Tampa Urban League, as well as the Hillsborough 
Educators Association.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Best's diligent and unrelenting service has made my 
Tampa Bay community a better place to live--one filled with more hope 
and opportunities because of her attention and love for others. She has 
set an example of how to be a devoted public servant, mother, and 
friend. Please join me in celebrating her outstanding efforts to make 
this world a better place.

                          ____________________