[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING TAMPA BAY'S LOCAL TRAILBLAZER, CELESTE GIBBONS-PEOPLES, IN 
                      HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2023

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Celeste 
Gibbons-Peoples for her nearly four decades of public service to the 
Tampa Bay community. Her influence in our community follows a tradition 
of excellence pioneered by her late father. Walter Lee ``Dirk'' 
Gibbons, who was a well-known Negro League Baseball player locally and 
nationally. She has committed her life to telling the stories of Black 
pioneers and celebrating the rich Black history of the Tampa area.
  Born in the basement of a clinic in Ybor City and raised in East 
Tampa, Ms. Gibbons-Peoples attended Hillsborough High School and 
Hillsborough Community College where she started to foster her 
appreciation for Black history and its importance in life-long 
education. Her passion for this cause led her to become an active 
member of the City of Tampa's Black History Committee, Inc. for more 
than 30 years and served as its president 2014 through 2022. The 
Committee has awarded more than $250,000 to high school seniors to 
further their education through college. university or vocational 
school.
  Ms. Gibbons-Peoples came to City of Tampa government in 1985 and is 
currently its certified senior procurement analyst. Her hard work has 
not gone unnoticed by her colleagues and peers--in 2017, she was named 
Buyer of the Year by the National Institute of Government Purchasing 
for Tampa Bay.
  Ms. Gibbons-Peoples continues to be a role model in our community. In 
2010, she obtained her Certified Professional Public Buyer's (CPPB) 
certification and is also a Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM). 
Her love for her profession drives her position as president of the 
National Institute of Governmental Purchasing. Through this 
organization, she helps provide educational opportunities for current 
and striving Purchasing Procurement professionals.
  Volunteer work also plays an integral part in Ms. Gibbons-Peoples's 
impact on the Tampa Bay community. Her contributions include United Way 
Suncoast, Great American Teach-In, Hillsborough County and the City of 
Tampa Martin Luther King. Jr. Committee. Inc., Ladies Auxiliary for the 
Woods and Wanton Tampa Chapter for Buffalo Soldiers, and the Community 
Charter Schools of Excellence. As a coach for the Boys and Girls Club 
and Police Athletic League, Ms. Gibbons-Peoples has helped children 
realize their true potential. In addition, she serves as president of 
the Usher Ministry No. 2 at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church.
  Mr. Speaker. I rise today in admiration and respect for Ms. Celeste 
Gibbons-Peoples who is the embodiment of altruism and forms an integral 
part of Tampa's own Black history.

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