[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 186 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DALLAS CHAPTER OF THE GIRL 
                         FRIENDS, INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2018

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Dallas Chapter of the Girl 
Friends, Incorporated. On September 12, 1975, I invited a few close 
friends with similar ideas and dreams to my home to discuss how we 
could make an impact on the Dallas community.
  As we began to meet and brainstorm, the St. Louis Chapter of Girl 
Friends took us under their wing and encouraged us to create our own 
chapter.
  The Charter members of the Dallas Chapter of the Girl Friends include 
Velma Bedford, Dorothy Chambers, Jennifer Clark, Doloroes Craig, 
Earlene Deere, Roslyn Fitch, Joan Sessoms Ford, Veronica Marshall 
Frazier, Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, Marvinell Johnson, Cheryl 
Malone, Dr. Vivienne Malone Mayes, Millie Montgomery, Hazel Moore, Faye 
Powell, Sandra Sutton, Mary Lois Sweatt, Marye Thomas, Mildred W. 
Thomas, and Marquerite Williams.
  The chapter upholds the ideal that education is important and since 
its inception, has regularly supported female college students with 
scholarship funds that can be used for books, transportation and other 
personal needs. Our most recent scholarship recipient, and HBCU 
student, was also awarded an academic scholarship from The Girl Friends 
Fund, Inc.
  The chapter has supported the NAACP project, Black Arts and History, 
African American Museum, Black Dallas Remembered, YWCA, Aging for Black 
Women's Conference Politics and Health Symposiums, Austin Street 
Shelter Ministries, Vogel Alcove, The Family Place, Letot Girl's 
Residential Center, The Agape Clinic, The Dallas Life Foundation and 
West Dallas Community Center.
  As I reflect on the great milestones and paths that The Girl Friends 
have created within the past thirty-five years, I am honored and proud 
of all we have accomplished and the positive impact it has had on our 
community. It is with great admiration that I congratulate The Dallas 
Chapter of the Girl Friends on achieving this wonderful milestone, and 
wish them the best on all future endeavors.

                          ____________________