[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E583-E584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING BEATRICE ``BEBE'' COKER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2019

  Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of my 
colleagues Senator Tom Carper and Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, to 
honor and congratulate Beatrice ``Bebe'' Coker, a mother, sister, 
artist, advocate, mentor, leader, and recipient of the 2019 John H. 
Taylor Jr. Education Leadership Award.
   Bebe, as she is affectionately called, is a lifelong advocate for 
quality public education, the arts, and diversity and inclusion. She 
was honored by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce affiliate, The 
Partnership, Inc., at Superstars in Education Reception and Awards 
Ceremony on May 13, 2019, for her unrelenting dedication and leadership 
in advancing education for all children and making our community a 
better place to live and work.
   Ms. Coker is a revered community mobilizer and literacy advocate, as 
well as a champion of social justice in Delaware. Among her many 
contributions to our state, Ms. Bebe was appointed by former Gov. 
Pierre S. du Pont to join the Citizens Alliance for Public Education to 
ensure the peaceful desegregation of Delaware schools. She has 
volunteered for countless organizations, including The Christiana 
Cultural Art Center, the NAACP Young Adults Group and the Metropolitan 
Wilmington Urban League. She chaired the State Civil Rights Commission 
and has aided numerous organizations focused on literacy.
   Bebe holds a bachelor's degree from Morgan State University and a 
Doctor of Humanities from Delaware State University. She is a 
playwright, poet, and lyricist. She is, quite simply, a renaissance 
woman.
   Never one to shy away from fighting for what she believed in, her 
work throughout Delaware has had a tremendous impact on us all. As a 
writer, or through her work in the community, she has always been an 
honest story teller--the stories of our past, our present, and those 
that inform the work we do to create a better future.
   A mentor to many young people, Ms. Coker's greatest source of pride 
and support is embodied in her three ``daughter/best

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friends'', retired Capt. Laurie Coker, U.S. Navy Public Health 
Services, CDC, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Joan Coker, Head and Neck Surgeon, 
Wilmington, DE; and Julie Coker Graham, President & CEO, Philadelphia 
Convention & Visitors Bureau. While each has accomplished much in the 
``career-world'', Ms. Coker's pride stems from each embracing a love of 
service to others as their privilege and responsibility.
   A community activist in Delaware for over 50 years, Bebe is an 
inspiration to me. I am proud to stand here today with my fellow 
Delawareans honoring an extraordinary woman with an extraordinary 
heart, who is steadfast and unmovable in our community and who 
consistently sacrifices her time and talent to improve the lives of 
others. Ms. Coker's anchor is her strong faith in God and lifelong 
words she was taught to live by, ``Don't let your talents take you, 
where your character can't keep you. It is all about the ``integrity of 
one--you''.

                          ____________________