[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 161 (Friday, October 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1341-E1342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE SERVICE OF RACHELLE DeANNE O'NEIL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 6, 2017

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Rachelle 
O'Neil, who served as a constituent services representative in my 
District Office for 15 years.
  A Houston native who is proud of her Ragin'-Cajun roots, Rachelle is 
one of eight children born to the late Audrey Ann Colbert-O'Neil and 
George O'Neil, Sr. Her loving parents instilled a passion for education 
that inspires Ms. O'Neil to this day. In fact, Mr. Speaker, she 
recently graduated magna cum laude with master's degree in public 
administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.
  While earning undergraduate degrees from the University of Houston in 
psychology and political science, Ms. O'Neil won the Mickey Leland 
Congressional Internship opportunity, which brought her to the U.S. 
Capitol where she worked in former Representative Carrie P. Meek's (D-
FL) congressional office. The experience, which included meeting 
President Bill Clinton, cemented her passion in working on the behalf 
of the American people.
  Within a few years of relocating to Atlanta, Ms. O'Neil joined my 
congressional staff, and Mr. Speaker, please trust me when I say that 
she hit the ground running. Rachelle assists constituents with 
judiciary, education, health, Social Security, child welfare, and 
transportation matters, and she is a tireless advocate for women and 
girls. Mr. Speaker, few people can match her passionate, fierce pursuit 
of justice and equity.

[[Page E1342]]

  Over the years, Ms. O'Neil developed innumerable constituent service 
programs and initiatives, but perhaps none as personal as those that 
focus on future generations. Inspired by her time caring for Daniel, 
Princess, Annquenette, and TyRochelle, the children of her late twin 
sister, Michelle, Rachelle developed our office's Youth Council that 
sought to develop and engage young leaders in Metro Atlanta.
  In her personal time, Ms. O'Neil puts family and service first--
caring for her nieces, nephews, and mentees in the Through Their I's 
Mentoring Program, the Motherless Daughters Foundation, the Hank 
Stewart Foundation, and Source of Support. She also manages to make 
friends during her world travels and pursue exciting adventures like 
skydiving, white water rafting, and zip lining.
  Mr. Speaker, when I look at Rachelle O'Neil, I see the spirit of 
Barbara Jordan and the fire of Shirley Chisholm. I am so proud to have 
her on my team, and I thank her for the many years of tireless service 
to our office and Georgia's Fifth Congressional District.

                          ____________________