[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING VANESSA WHITING OF CLEVELAND, OHIO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Fudge) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Vanessa Whiting of 
Cleveland, Ohio, the recipient of the 2019 Black Professional of the 
Year Award.
  Ms. Whiting will become the 39th individual to receive this 
distinguished award given by the Black Professionals Association 
Charitable Foundation at their annual scholarship and awards gala. Each 
year the organization honors an African American professional for their 
career accomplishments, community engagement, and civic contributions.
  Through her considerable achievements as an attorney, entrepreneur, 
and civic leader, Ms. Whiting is most deserving of this long overdue 
recognition. She embodies the mission of the Black Professionals 
Association Charitable Foundation, which is to create opportunities for 
African American professionals by providing scholarship, leadership, 
and career development.
  As president of AES Management and a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 
franchisee, Ms. Whiting has made hiring people from her community a 
priority, creating employment opportunities where there are few 
options.
  Ms. Whiting has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney. 
Throughout her law career, she focused her work on revitalizing 
struggling neighborhoods and helping small and minority-owned 
businesses succeed.
  Ms. Whiting has committed her time and talents to address affordable 
housing, the need for community centers, and other projects in our area 
designed to uplift the community and empower its residents.
  Ms. Whiting was recently elected chair of the MetroHealth Hospital 
Board of Trustees where she continues her work promoting diversity and 
inclusion throughout Cuyahoga County's public health system. She has 
served in many key board positions in the Cleveland community, 
including the NAACP Cleveland Branch, the Tri-C Foundation, Karamu 
House, and the Cleveland Housing Network Board of Trustees.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Ms. Whiting for her outstanding contributions 
to Ohio's 11th Congressional District. My sincere congratulations go to 
Ms. Whiting on this distinguished accomplishment, and I thank her for 
her leadership and her service.

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