[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 203 (Wednesday, December 2, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1080-E1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MS. SHEILA PAUL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2020

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Ms. Sheila Paul. Sheila loved three things in her life: God, 
her family, and serving others. As a devoted member of the Usher and 
Diaconness teams for over 40 years, it is clear that Sheila's 
incredibly strong and caring soul made her a central part of her 
community. We have lost a great leader, a tremendous mother, and a dear 
friend.
  Sheila dedicated her life to God and to others. She radiated a 
vibrant, tenacious spirit that made it known she was a child of God, 
drove her to serve, and that infected others. Her spirituality was 
present in everything she did and anyone that met her knew she was 
grounded in her faith. Her courage and determination was evident when 
she journeyed from Saint Louis du Nord, Haiti to Freeport, Bahamas and 
finally to the United States. She embodied the immigrant spirit and the 
American dream. Sheila carried her successful business to Fort 
Lauderdale, and expanded it into a thriving storefront and ventured 
into real estate, forever embedding her legacy in the community.
  Sheila forged strong connections with everyone she met and 
exemplified what it means to be a child of Christ through her 
generosity and kindness. She would feed anyone who came to her house 
and extended her hand to anyone in need. She always went above and 
beyond to improve the lives of those around her.
  To Sheila, family was of the upmost importance. She was the proud 
wife of the late Alberto Michael Joseph and the proud mother of eight 
biological children: Alberta, Duval, Rosianne, Ilinda, Ancelot (AJ), 
Guillene, Bernadette, and Carole. As an immigrant she faced many 
hardships and made great sacrifices for her children, and strove to 
improve the circumstances of all, so they may benefit from an 
education, an opportunity she valued immensely. In addition to her 
immediate family, she was the adopted mother to hundreds of children 
which she considered her own. Sheila was a caring and selfless mother 
to all who had the privilege to know her. She was a true trailblazer, a 
steady leader and caregiver, and lived her life the way we should all 
strive to, with an abundance of love.
  Madam Speaker, Ms. Sheila Paul has indeed left an indelible mark on 
her loved ones and her community, and it will be present for future 
generations to come. She will be dearly missed.

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