[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF 2015 EASTERN AREA CONFERENCE OF THE LINKS, 
                              INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, from April 22nd through April 26th, 2015, 
The Eastern Area of the Links, Incorporated hosted their 43rd Eastern 
Area Conference at the elegant Foxwoods Resort and Casino in 
Connecticut. This year's conference theme ``Leveraging the Legacy of 
Friendship and Service'' is apropos as we congratulate the 2015 Eastern 
Area Conference Co-Chairs Sister Links Price and Wilson for organizing 
this annual meeting. The Eastern Area of the Links is comprised of 73 
chapters in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of 
Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, 
Rhode Island, and Virginia.
  As one of the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service 
organizations of extraordinary women, the Links are committed to 
enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of 
African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. With a 
membership of 12,000 professional women of color, which also includes 
my beautiful wife Alma Rangel and my daughter Alicia, the Links 
Incorporated has established 274 chapters in forty-two states and in 
three sovereign nations.
  Throughout my public and political career, I have witnessed the 
astonishing work and outstanding community service provided by The 
Eastern Area of the Links, which has attracted hundreds of 
distinguished individual achievers and accomplished women of color, who 
continue to make a difference for our most vulnerable communities in 
the Eastern States of our Nation. Today, under the leadership of 
Eastern Area Director Dianne S. Hardison, the outstanding programming 
of the Eastern Area of the Links, Incorporated has five facets which 
include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, 
International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services.
  The Eastern Area of the Links initiated a Women's Issues Program, 
under the Chairmanship of Dr. Marcella Maxwell that evolved into a 
National Trends Facet Component. The focus of the Women's Issues 
Program for 2013-2015 was to honor and empower Women who have served in 
our Nation's Armed Forces as they transitioned from military life to 
civilian life. The Eastern Area Links initiated programs to mentor, 
educate, train, and employ women veterans as they transitioned from 
Combat to Corporate.
  Partnering with Dress For Success, FedEx, Citi Corporation, Home 
Depot, Macy's, College and Universities; and veteran organizations such 
as the 369th Veterans' Association, New York City Mayor's Office of 
Military Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Temple 
University, Syracuse University, Philadelphia Community College, Medgar 
Evers College, York College, and the Borough of Manhattan College of 
the City University of New York, the Eastern Area of the Links Combat 
to Corporate program has successfully given women veterans, many of 
whom are single mothers and homeless the opportunity to achieve the 
American dream and raise their families with dignity and resources.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my esteemed colleagues of the great 
Eastern States of our Union join me in recognition of the 2015 Eastern 
Area Conference of the Links, Incorporated, which has focused its 
mission to support Women Veterans From Combat to Corporate and Women in 
the Armed Forces that continue to serve our Country proudly and with 
distinction today.

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