[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26430]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE ATHALIE RANGE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize the 
Athalie Range Cultural Arts Foundation and its upcoming annual 
Celebration of Life event honoring those who have made significant 
contributions to the African American community. This year, Miami-Dade 
County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, WHQT General Manager Jerry Rushin, 
and retired Bacardi Heritage Foundation president Jose Bacardi will be 
honored.
  The Athalie Range Cultural Arts Foundation helps to encourage the 
appreciation and the enrichment of arts, especially of African American 
arts, in south Florida. The foundation was named after one of south 
Florida's most dedicated and courageous residents.
  Athalie Range was a pioneer in our community, first as a civil rights 
activist and later as a public official. As the PTA president of 
Liberty City Elementary, she became a champion for the students of 
Miami-Dade County. She informed the school board about the deplorable 
conditions of Liberty City schools, and she demanded better resources 
for those schools.
  Athalie became the first African American to serve on the Miami City 
Commission, and she also became the first African American and the 
first woman to head the Florida Department of Community Affairs. 
Athalie Range lived a life of humility that underscored her deep 
commitment to civil rights, justice and opportunity for all.
  I commend the Athalie Range Cultural Arts Foundation for continuing 
in Athalie's footsteps, for helping to support the arts and for 
enriching the lives of all of south Florida residents.

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