[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1158-1159]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. GERALD R. REED

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2002

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, since 1926 Americans have recognized black 
history annually, first as ``Negro History Week'' and later as ``Black 
History Month.'' February was chosen because the month marks the 
birthdays of two men who seriously impacted the African American, 
Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This year's month long 
celebration's theme is, ``The Journey to Freedom: The Struggles, Trials 
and Triumphs.''
  I would like to call the attention of my colleagues to a man who 
embodies the characteristics of a leader of the African American 
Population. It is with great pleasure that I introduce and honor Gerald 
R. Reed as he celebrates his tenth year as a member of Blacks in 
Government (BIG) and his third year as its president.
  In 1992 Mr. Reed began his leadership role within the BIG as 
President of the Pentagon Chapter. The following year he was the 
honored recipient of the prestigious BIG National Distinguished Service 
award.

[[Page 1159]]

  In 1994, only two years after he joined the organization, Mr. Reed 
became the President of the Region XI Council. During the three years 
of his presidency the Council was awarded the bids for the BIG Annual 
National Training Conference in 1994, 1997, 1998 and year 2000. 
Additionally, Mr. Reed served on influential BIG National Committees 
and instituted many major conference improvements as the Co-Chairperson 
of the BIG National Training Conference in 1997 and 1998.
  Furthermore in 1994, during his first year as National President, Mr. 
Reed successfully implemented many initiatives for BIG, including a 
partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Graduate 
School and several organizational infrastructure improvements.
  Mr. Reed is also affiliated with the Black Leadership Forum, the 
National Coalition for Equity in Public Service, the Leadership Council 
on Civil Rights, and a VIP member of the Joint Center for Political and 
Economic Studies.
  Mr. Reed is presently employed with the Network Infrastructure 
Services Agency, Pentagon, (NISA-P) as the Branch Chief for the Systems 
Applications Development Branch. He holds several degrees including a 
Master of Science degree in Administration with a concentration in 
Software Engineering from Central Michigan University. He is a veteran 
of the United States Army and also the author of ``Building A 
Masterpiece with Simple Poetry.''
  Many events have been planned in conjunction with this month's 
Festivities in my district. Mr. Reed has been selected as the guest 
speaker at this year's Mentors Chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG) 
annual Black History Month Luncheon in Forth Monmouth, New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere hope that my colleagues will join me in 
honoring and recognizing Mr. Reed and his significant accomplishments 
throughout his career, his work with Blacks in Government and his 
service to the African American Community.

                          ____________________