[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E241-E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               GWEN REESE

                                 ______
                                 

                           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 honor a dedicated community leader and equal rights 
champion, Gwen Reese of St. Petersburg, Florida. Ms. Reese was born in 
St. Petersburg and is a proud graduate of Gibbs High School as well as 
St. Petersburg Junior College. Ms. Reese has dedicated her career to 
supporting initiatives that lift families. She began as a counselor for 
Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Services for the YWCA of Tampa Bay. 
Thanks to her passion and diligent work, she was consistently promoted, 
rising to become the Director of Administrative Services of the YWCA of 
Tampa from 1994-1999. Ms. Reese continued to be a voice for Florida 
families by serving as a Coordinator for both Healthy Start of Pinellas 
and the Midtown Health Council. In both capacities she focused on 
reducing infant mortality as well as other initiatives designed to 
improve the effectiveness of health care delivery and outcomes.
  Ms. Reese's unrelenting service has led her to play an important role 
in numerous service organizations and projects in Tampa Bay. Currently, 
she serves as the District Manager of Professional Opportunities 
Program for Students (POPS) Inc. which provides career seminars, 
college tours, internships, and community service projects to assist 
area high school students in exploring and experiencing different 
career goals. Furthermore, Ms. Reese organizes the annual Stand Against 
Racism event and the Week Without Violence activities. These events 
bring attention to significant issues facing our community.
  Ms. Reese has been an outspoken advocate for preserving the history 
of African Americans' contributions to the St. Petersburg community. 
Her passion led to her selection as the President of the African 
American Heritage Association. Under her leadership, the African 
American Heritage Association developed a walking trail through 
historic neighborhoods in St. Petersburg. It captured the oral 
histories of the great people like those who built tracks for the 
Orange Belt Railway, laid Augusta blocks in the Historic Old Northeast, 
and made the prized hex blocks seen on some city sidewalks.
  Ms. Reese brought the St. Petersburg community together through this 
project. She has witnessed great moments in the community created by 
the project. Her favorite instance was when 25 high school students 
from Gibbs High School, Pinellas County's first public high school for 
black students, interviewed the residents who had witnessed immense 
changes in the community on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

[[Page E242]]

  We truly appreciate the outstanding work that Ms. Reese has done to 
preserve and venerate the history and contributions of African 
Americans. Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Ms. Reese for her 
wonderful service to Pinellas County and to the State of Florida.

                          ____________________