[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18243-18244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SHEILA LEIGH STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
service of Sheila Leigh Stewart, a former resident of Laurel in the 
Fourth Congressional District of Maryland. She died unexpectedly and 
tragically on October 24, 2013. A memorial service for Sheila will be 
held on Friday, December 6, 2013, at First Baptist Church of Glenarden 
in Landover, Maryland. I want to remember the legacy Ms. Stewart leaves 
behind.
  Ms. Sheila Stewart had a long and distinguished career of more than 
25 years in the broadcasting industry. She epitomized the traits of a 
good citizen, serving our communities as an organizer of engagement and 
charitable giving. I join all of the metropolitan Washington area in 
mourning the loss of a great woman and unparalleled public citizen.
  Ms. Stewart was born in Fairfield County, South Carolina, on February 
28, 1969. She graduated from Benedict College in Columbia, South 
Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism, and 
also worked as an adjunct Professor of Journalism at several colleges.
  Known by radio listeners as ``Ms. Community,'' Ms. Stewart worked for 
years in Charlotte at Power98, WPEG-FM, where she served as on-air-
personality and news and public affairs director. When she relocated to 
the Washington, DC, area, Sheila worked as the news and community 
affairs director for Radio One. She was at the helm of news programming 
at WKYS, Radio One's DC station, and the company's other affiliates, 
including Praise 104.1, WPRS-FM.
  At Radio One, Ms. Stewart was instrumental in advocating on behalf of 
community issues, nonprofit organizations, and events that

[[Page 18244]]

helped improve neighborhoods throughout our region. She was guided in 
every way by her faith. Her energy and passion to make change will be 
missed.
  With her passing, it is my hope that Sheila Leigh Stewart has found 
the peace earned from such a wonderful life. Ms. Stewart made a 
difference in our community with everything she did, and I am grateful 
for her life and service to Prince George's County, Maryland, and our 
country.
  On behalf of this House, I extend our condolences to her entire 
family, especially her precious young son, Jonathan Henry Russell; her 
mother, Dorothy Stewart; her four sisters; her three brothers; and 
Radio One, and the thanks of a grateful nation. I will miss her 
tremendously.

                          ____________________