[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30934]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


           HONORING THE LINKS, INC. OAKLAND BAY AREA CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2005

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Links, Inc. Oakland 
Bay Area Chapter on the occasion of its 55th year of service to our 
community.
  The Links, Inc. was founded in 1946 by Sarah Scott and Margaret 
Hawkins of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who envisioned an organization 
of African American women ``linking together in a chain'' to improve 
the quality of life in their community. Today, that vision has been 
realized, with The Links, Inc. being comprised of 296 chapters and more 
than 10,000 women as its members. The Links, Inc. is located in 39 U.S. 
States, as well as in the Bahamas and in Germany.
  The Oakland Bay Area chapter of The Links, Inc. was founded in 
September 1950 when eighteen inspired women saw a need in our community 
and joined together to make a positive difference. Currently, there are 
more than fifty dedicated women who are members of this chapter which, 
since its founding, has worked continuously to support charitable 
organizations and community groups.
  Each year, often times on the occasion of its Annual Cotillion, the 
Oakland Bay Area Chapter of The Links, Inc. presents philanthropic 
grants to a number of community and public organizations, particularly 
those that focus on youth & family development, community health, 
social justice, education, and the arts.
  This year will mark the Oakland Bay Area Chapter of The Links, Inc.'s 
50th Annual Cotillion. These events feature not only the community 
services of The Links and other organizations, but also the selection 
of each year's Debutantes. These young women are selected based on 
excellence in academics and extracurricular activities, as well as for 
a strong commitment to serving their community.
  The list of Debutantes who will be featured at the Oakland Bay Area 
Chapter of The Links, Inc.'s 2005 Cotillion include: Ashley Burns, 
Ebony Campbell, Jessica Charles, Mickala Cheadle, Kimberly Clincy, 
Raphael Cobb, Robyn Cross, Kristen Davis, Vanessa Domenichelli, 
Dominique Drakeford, Joya Dupre, Morgan Frazier, Laura Green, Ashley 
Greene, Jazmyn Hammons, Victoria Harrell, Britney Jaymes Harrison, 
Jenevieve Harrison-Toney, Yasmine Hassan, Alehxa Jones, Jamela Joseph, 
Danielle Oliva, Brittany Pakeman, Jessica Pugh, Lauren Savage, Ashley 
Sewell, Ashley Shaw, Kaitlyn Sheehan, Jade Smith-Williams, Allison 
Greer Tillman, Mareesa Allyse Valentine, Erika Walker, Tierra Williams, 
and Erica Williams.
  On Saturday, December 17, 2005, the Oakland Bay Area Links 50th 
Annual Cotillion will be held in San Francisco, California. On behalf 
of the California's 9th U.S. Congressional District, I congratulate 
tonight's Debutantes, and I salute past and present Oakland Links 
members for their many years of invaluable service to our community.

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