[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7402]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING ESTHER SILVER-PARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to recognize 
and extend my congratulations to Esther Silver-Parker as she retires 
from a trailblazing career as one of America's top African-American 
female corporate executives. Her reputation as a consensus builder and 
advocate for diversity has won her many accolades and honors for her 
commitment to practical solutions in today's global economy.
  A vocal champion of equal opportunity access to healthcare, 
education, and employment, Esther Silver-Parker was most recently Wal-
Mart's Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs. Responsible for 
strategic-planning and management, Silver-Parker focused on the 
company's relationships with stakeholders in emerging markets, small 
businesses, and entrepreneurial initiatives. Prior to joining Wal-Mart, 
Silver-Parker served as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at AT&T, 
and President of the AT&T Foundation. She also directed AT&T's National 
Constituency Relations, Issues Management and Corporate Social 
Responsibility Programs.
  Silver-Parker's excellence in corporate leadership, however, is 
unmatched by her dedication to compassionate and impactful service at 
both the national and international levels. She has served as President 
of the International Women's Forum and has traveled to the Congo, 
Burundi, and Kenya with the Board of Global Ministries of the United 
Methodist Church to study health conditions and quality of life of 
women and children. She is a frequent speaker on issues pertaining to 
women, diversity, corporate social responsibility and strategic 
philanthropy.
  Throughout her journey, Esther Silver-Parker has mentored countless 
young people and has made it a personal priority to extend her 
individual and professional success into many communities. Her work on 
behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has made a lasting 
impact in the lives of African-American students, teachers, parents, 
and schools.
  Esther has received numerous awards, including the Ebony Magazine 
Award for Outstanding Women in Corporate Marketing, the Congressional 
Black Caucus Unsung Hero Award, the DECA Award for outstanding 
businesswoman, New York City Gus D'Amato Community Service Award, the 
Atlanta Business League's Outstanding Corporate Person Award, the 
National AIDS Fund's Leadership Award, the Asian Pacific Islanders 
Women's Leadership Starfish Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
President's Award, Northwest Arkansas' Just Communities Humanitarian of 
the Year Award, The Links Spirit Award, the 100 Black Men of America 
Excellence Award, The Diversity Advocate Award and The Corporate 
Excellence Award from the National Action Network.
  I am immensely grateful for Esther Silver-Parker's selflessness and 
dedication, and deeply honored to call her my friend.

                          ____________________