[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25751]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO RAMONA WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Ramona Williams for her 
dedication to strengthening early education for our children and 
volunteer efforts to strengthen our community.
  Ramona is a life-long resident of the Bedford Stuyvesant community of 
Brooklyn and does not plan to move. She attended Public School 297, 
which her two younger children attend now. She graduated from J.H.S 126 
and Eli Whitney High School. She has three beautiful children: Jessica, 
14, Vanessa, 9, and Jerome, 5, each of whom have a dream of greatness.
  Following her high school graduation, Ramona began work as a 
substitute teacher at Round Table Child Care Center, eventually 
becoming a head teacher. She enjoys creating curriculum and cultural 
activities for her students and assisting parents in helping their 
children. After 16 years of empowering her students, her personal 
horizon expanded and she accepted a position as Parent Coordinator for 
Mark Hopkins Intermediate School 33. Ramona works closely with the 
principal, P.T.A. and as a liaison between the community and school.
  As a single parent raising three children and working full time, 
Ramona finds it important to further her education and has enrolled at 
the College of New Rochelle pursuing a Bachelors of Social Work. She is 
a member of the Greater Free Gift Baptist Church Inc., where the pastor 
is the Rev. William Raymond Whitaker, Jr., Th.M, whom she thanks for 
his spiritual leadership and wisdom.
  Ramona's concern for her church and community has led her to focus on 
fundraising and organizing outreach events for teenagers, which 
included finding them summer employment. She also sings in the 
Tabernacle Choir. Forever thankful in all areas of her life, personal 
and community, she is grateful for those who inspire her as she strives 
to make this a better place for others. Her unconditional love and 
thanks goes to her parents and siblings, and the sparkles in her eyes--
Jessica, Vanessa, and Jerome (``Jay'').
  Mr. Speaker, Ramona Williams has been a leader in our community 
through her consistent efforts to improve the quality of education for 
all of our children. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our 
recognition today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this 
truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________