[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Charlotte Williams 
as she receives the first ``Making Democracy Work'' Award from the 
Flint Michigan League of Women Voters.
  The League will honor Charlotte at an event on Wednesday, September 
17th in Flint.
  The League of Women Voters gives the ``Making Democracy Work'' Award 
to a Flint female community leader. Charlotte Williams was chosen to be 
the first recipient. Charlotte was elected as a Genesee County 
Commissioner in 1968. She was the first black female elected to the 
position. She went on to become the first female Chair of the Board. 
She became active in the National Association of Counties and served on 
several State and local committees. Her work with the National 
Association of Counties culminated in being elected president of that 
body in July 1978, and she served one term. Charlotte also chaired a 
workshop at a White House Conference on ``Balanced Growth and Economic 
Development'' and contributed to White House briefings during the terms 
of four Presidents. She retired from the Board of Commissioners in 
1980.
  Charlotte is the Vice Chairperson of the Board of Stewards at Quinn 
Chapel AME Church and has been an active member for 40 years, She has 
also worked as a Home Counselor in the Mott Foundation program and 
taught Bishop sewing classes.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to stand and 
applaud the work of one of the pioneers for political equality, 
Charlotte Williams. I commend her for her courage, insight, and work to 
improve the quality of life in Genesee County. May she continue her 
work for many, many years to come.

                          ____________________