[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5808-5809]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 TRIBUTE TO THE OUTSTANDING NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR AWARD 
                                NOMINEES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the nominees for the 
South Carolina Outstanding Neighborhood Volunteers of the Year. Many of 
these volunteers nominated for the award are from my district and well 
deserving of the honor.
  The Burton Heights-Standish Acres Neighborhood Association in 
Columbia, South Carolina is an organization devoted to the safety and 
cleanliness of their neighborhood; this association has four members 
who were nominated for the award. Mr. and Mrs. John Watson are 
dedicated volunteers who have been catalysts for a united, safe, and 
friendly community. Sylvester Jenkins, a charter member of the Burton 
Heights-Standish Acres Neighborhood Association, is a model citizen who 
also serves as President of the Retired Mail Handlers Organization. 
Venis J. Livingston is noted throughout the neighborhood for her 
rapport with the youth, a characteristic she utilizes in her role as a 
Parent educator.
  ``The Drama Team,'' a subunit of the Eau Claire Community Council 
Youth Organization, uses theatrical plays and artistic endeavors to 
educate community youth about issues ranging from HIV/AIDS to violence 
and drugs. ``The Drama Team'' has three fine women who have been 
nominated for the Outstanding

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Neighborhood Volunteers of the Year Award. Angela Cooper is a 
schoolteacher who provides mentoring to the students on the team, 
teaching self-esteem and reading skills. Community Advocate Angeline 
Morris ensures support from the business community to the ECCC so the 
operations of the team are properly financed. Rubye Finch is a team 
mentor who excels in the teaching of conflict resolution.
  Neighborhood promotion, preservation, and improvement are the goals 
of the Bradley Community Council; the Council has three outstanding 
volunteers nominated for the award. Block Captain Sue Finch devotes her 
time on a regular basis to ensure the success of events such as the 
annual Hot Dog Night and Crime Out Night. Susan Hamm served as 
President of the Bradley Community Council from 1995 to 2000 and 
currently leads a neighborhood bible study. Stacey Shugart leads the 
Council in the production of a Community Directory and assists in the 
printing of newsletters and meeting minutes.
  The Booker T. Washington High School Foundation nominated one of 
their founding members, Susan Brown Freeman, as the Outstanding 
Neighborhood Volunteer of the Year. Mrs. Freeman was the first African 
American consultant for Special Education teachers in Richland County, 
SC School District 1. Mary C. Short of the Bethel Bishop Tenant 
Association is another nominee for the award. Her dedication to the 
AmeriCorp organization along with her work as an Education Coordinator 
for Eau Claire Community Council have earned her a nomination. The HOPE 
volunteer organization nominated Samuel Gadegbeku for his work with the 
organization and in his community of the Colony Apartments. Mr. 
Gadegbeku selflessly gives his time to inspire self-esteem and hard 
work in the youth of his neighborhood.
  The members of the Brandon Acres/Cedar Terrace Neighborhood 
Association are committed to preserving and improving the community in 
which they reside; they have nominated Dr. Ramona Lagos, professor at 
the University of South Carolina. Dr. Lagos organized the Association's 
first meeting with important city officials; she also serves as 
Secretary. The Seminar Ridge Neighborhood Organization organizes 
activities to provide the best living environment to its residents. Dr. 
Lois Fries served as President of this Organization for seven years, 
during which time she greatly increased its impact in the community. 
The Read Street/Edgewood Community Improvement Cooperative Council 
nominated Georgia Davenport for the Outstanding Neighborhood Volunteer 
of the Year Award. Mrs. Davenport worked extensively in the Read Street 
clean up, which led to a reduction in drug traffic and violence in the 
area.
  The Booker Washington Heights Neighborhood Organization is dedicated 
to the improvement of the community of Columbia, South Carolina and has 
nominated three individuals. Johnnie Edmonds serves as Treasurer and is 
very active in this organization despite the fact that he moved out of 
the neighborhood years ago. The late Beverly Hampton left a legacy of 
community involvement and dedication to her neighbors when she departed 
this life on May 21, 2000. Kevin Speaks has worked to improve a poor 
section of the Booker Washington Heights neighborhood by giving his 
time and showing pride in his community.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring each and every one of these 
wonderful volunteers. They show all of us what can be done if we give 
back to the neighborhoods and towns we call home. Every one of the 
nominees for the Outstanding Neighborhood Volunteers of the Year Award 
deserves the honor along with our appreciation.

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