[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4641-4642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO ROSA WITSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Rosa Witsell who has 
dedicated her career to her community and enriching the lives of our 
children.
  Rosa grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and is the youngest of 
four children. She was nurtured in a home environment where there was a 
strong belief and faith in God. At age 10 she joined the Tabernacle 
Baptist Church and became a Sunday School Teacher and Secretary, and a 
member of the Junior Usher Board.
  After earning her Bachelor's of Science from Johnson C. Smith 
University, Rosa moved to Brooklyn, New York where she continued her 
spiritual growth by joining the Brown Memorial Baptist Church under the 
Pastorate of the late Dr. Rev. Samuel Austin. She remains active in 
Brown's Ministries under her current Pastor, Rev. Clinton M. Miller, 
where she is a member of the Senior Missionary Society, Willing 
Worker's Club, and the 40/60 Friendship Club.
  Rosa began her career path with the New York City Department of Parks 
and Recreation as a Recreation Director. She spent 12 years nurturing 
the young minds of 3 and 4 year olds in a distinguished pre-school 
program and broadening the horizon of 6 and 12 year olds in summer day 
camp. Rosa was later promoted to Assistant Supervisor of Recreation 
where she served the Harlem Community and later the East New York 
Community. She also served as her agency's liaison to Community Board 
Five, representing the agency at Community Board meetings, Youth 
Committee meetings, and providing invaluable support and assistance to 
the Board's staff.
  After more than 20 years, Rosa retired from the Department of Parks, 
but remained in the East New York Community as Center Director of the 
Starrett-at-Spring Creek Teen Center. In addition to educational and 
cultural trips, Rosa implemented an annual Mother/Daughter Dinner, 
Double Dutch and Talent Show competitions, dance classes, and workshops 
dealing with job skills, AIDS awareness, and proper make-up. After 4 
years as Center Director, Rosa resigned and joined the United States 
Postal Service where she is currently employed as a letter carrier. She 
enjoys the continued interaction with college students, young families, 
and seniors. Rosa's customers frequently thank her for her smile and 
excellent service. In fact, because her customers took the time to send 
letters of accommodation to the Postmaster, the Postal Service 
recognized her for outstanding customer service.
  Rosa is a former Board member of Brooklyn Neighborhood Improvement 
Association, and a former Cadet Girl Scout Leader. She is a single mom 
whose daughter Esteen, and son in-law Derrick are about to make her a 
first time grandmother in a few short months.
  Mr. Speaker, Rosa Witsell has dedicated herself to her professional 
career, to serving her community and improving the lives of our 
children. As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition 
today and I urge my

[[Page 4642]]

colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________