[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18361]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO MRS. CELESTER ALSTON CLARK

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                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
constituent, Mrs. Celester Alston Clark who is being honored on 
Saturday, September 16, 2006 by the North Carolina Federation of Garden 
Clubs. Mrs. Clark is being honored for her dedicated and loyal service 
as well as her enthusiasm and creativity. All of these qualities have 
indeed served to provide a tremendous benefit to the Garden Club. Over 
the years Mrs. Clark has exhibited an impressive level of leadership to 
the Garden Club; in that regard, she sponsors a workshop each year when 
the North Carolina Federation of Garden Clubs hosts its Annual 
Convention. Further, she serves as the State Youth Director.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Clark is indeed leading the charge for her Garden 
Club where one of its objectives is to put more strength behind local 
clubs so that the work of beautifying homes, churches, schools and 
communities can be achieved more effectively. Mrs. Clark is very 
instrumental in helping her Garden Club promote a full conservation 
program within local clubs, placing special interest on wildflowers, 
native trees, soil, and water. There are about 40 adult and youth clubs 
that belong to the North Carolina Federation of Garden Clubs which was 
organized as far back as 1935.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Clark has been a member of the Daisy Garden Club 
since 1979 and in 1995 she organized the Calla Lily Adult Garden Club. 
Under her guidance, the Calla Lily Adult Garden Club has projects at 
the Pinkerton's Street School, Satterwhite Point Lake Camp Site in 
Henderson, North Carolina and Haywood Missionary Baptist Church in 
Louisburg, North Carolina. In addition, Mrs. Clark oversees the Calla 
Lilly Youth Gardners referred to as Calla Lilettes.
  She was born in Franklin County, North Carolina to Benjamin and Mable 
Alston, and has one brother and five sisters. She attended the Rockford 
Grade School and graduated from Franklin County Training School. She 
received her Bachelor of Art degree from A&T College in Greensboro, 
North Carolina. She married the love of her life, Mr. James Clark of 
Greensboro, North Carolina. After relocating to Washington, D.C., Mrs. 
Clark secured employment as a budget analyst with the U.S. Department 
of Health, Education and Welfare; with the U.S. Department of Defense 
in the area of Financial Management; and finally with the U.S. 
Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons. Upon her retirement, she 
became a teacher in the Vance County Public School system.
  While residing in Washington, D.C., Mr. and Mrs. Clark were members 
of the Upper Room Baptist Church. Mrs. Clark served as the Youth 
Director, Member of the Hospitality Committee, and was a member of the 
choir. She also served as President of the Fort Dupont Civic 
Association.
  Upon returning to Henderson, North Carolina, Mr. and Mrs. Clark 
reunited with their family home church, Haywood Missionary Baptist 
Church in Louisburg where she serves as President of the Deaconess; 
Chairperson of the Hospitality Committee; member of the Mass Choir and 
member of the Missionary Department.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my Colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in paying tribute to one of my most 
deserving constituents, Mrs. Celester Alston Clark on this great 
occasion.

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