[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23322-23323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN CELEBRATION OF THE SEWELL FAMILY REUNION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Madam Speaker, giving honor and glory to God, who is 
the guide of my life, I rise today in honor, respect and celebration of 
family unity as I honor the unbreakable bond of the Sewell family. 
Natives of my home town of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan 
in Detroit, they personify what education, hard work, and faith can do.
  On August 16-19, 2007 the Sewell family will celebrate years of 
family closeness at the Annual Sewell Family Reunion in Baltimore, 
Maryland. As family reunions are an intricate part of our personal 
histories, as well as our country's, I am proud to recognize and salute 
the Sewells on this important, joyous occasion.
  For many American families, keeping intact can be quite a challenge. 
This is a particular challenge for African American families, who have 
to work twice as hard to ensure that families that have just come back 
together can indeed stay together. Add to this conundrum the fact that 
efficient technology has made it all too easy for loved ones to live 
over further distances and drift apart; that is why it is necessary to 
honor those families who take time to dedicate themselves to preserving 
family ties, the ties that bind. The Sewells started gathering together 
in 1980 and decided in 1999 to make their reunions annual. Family

[[Page 23323]]

reunions have provided a special time to reinforce historic strengths 
and traditional values as the family renews and highlights dedication 
to each other.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in extending the 
best wishes of the entire U.S. Congress to all of the Sewell Family for 
a successful and heartwarming family reunion. We wish and hope that 
their event is educational, safe, and filled with love and 
spirituality. I am certain this year's reunion will be memorable. As 
Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and as a Member of 
Congress, the CBC and Congress hope their dedication, love and 
commitment to one another will endure for generations to corne. God 
bless.

                          ____________________