[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 34 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CHLOE J. CONEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2017

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of a true champion of progress, Chloe J. Coney. She is 
retiring this month after 10 years of serving as my district director 
in Tampa. Her invaluable contributions to the Tampa Bay community are 
an inspiration to us all. Today, I am grateful to recognize her 
selfless dedication, honor her valuable service to our community and 
thank her for her daily efforts to serve our neighbors in Tampa.
  Known as a woman who wears many hats, Mrs. Coney is a leader who 
serves with a spirit of love and excellence. When federal courts 
ordered Hillsborough County to desegregate its school system, even at 
an early age, Mrs. Coney became a leader. In 1963, she along with a 
brave few helped to integrate the school district. In turn, Mrs. Coney 
attended and graduated from Hillsborough High School with honors in 
1968. Her determination to lead and serve pushed her to achieve a 
bachelor's degree in Sociology/Corrections from Florida A & M 
University, a master's degree in Biblical Counseling from Florida 
Beacon Bible College, and an honorary doctorate from Blessed Hope Bible 
College in Tampa, Florida.
  Mrs. Coney's passion to lead and serve has followed her throughout 
her professional and personal career. In 1972, Mrs. Coney began her 
career as the first Black female Probation and Parole Officer in 
Hillsborough County. She would then continue as a pathbreaker by 
becoming Intake Counselor/Mediator with the 13th Judicial Circuit Court 
of Hillsborough County and Marketing Representative for Florida Power 
in Clearwater, Fla. She left the private sector in her calling to serve 
families, seniors and students as the Center Manager of the Lee Davis 
Neighborhood Service Center, leading the way for it to become a One 
Stop Social and Medical Center in Hillsborough County. She utilized her 
role as Center Manager to restore pride, ownership, and community in 
Tampa's Eastside neighborhoods. Mrs. Coney established the East Tampa 
Community School partnership and the Back to School Kick-off Fair. Mrs. 
Coney's passion inspired her to found the Corporation to Develop 
Communities of Tampa (CDC) in 1992 and become its first President/CEO, 
focusing on economic development. The CDC of Tampa's Nehemiah Project 
Community Building Brick by Brick has since expanded its strategic 
initiatives to provide job training, promote entrepreneurship and 
develop youth leadership programs, revitalizing commercial areas and 
build affordable housing.
  In 2006, Mrs. Coney retired as the President of the CDC of Tampa to 
become a candidate for the local office. While she missed out on the 
opportunity to serve as Hillsborough County Commission, District 3, she 
found a new way to lead and serve the community as my District 
Director. In this capacity, she has addressed an array of constituent 
concerns, solicited citizen input, and performed community outreach 
activities, such as foreclosure prevention workshops during the 
economic downturn to help families stay in their homes and job fairs 
during the economic recovery to connect neighbors with local jobs. As 
District Director, Chloe Coney, will retire after serving the Tampa Bay 
community for more than 40 years, improving entire communities, 
leveraging economic impact and touching the lives of everyone she 
meets.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Tampa Bay community, I 
am proud to honor Mrs. Chloe J. Coney. We will miss her wisdom and 
experience, but most of all we will miss the encouragement she has been 
to us all. As Chloe would say ``Teamwork Makes the Dream Work,'' and I 
am proud that she has been part of my team and, importantly, my friend, 
helping so many of our neighbors achieve their dreams.

                          ____________________