[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING LAVERA ETHRIDGE-WILLIAMS IN CELEBRATION OF HER 90TH 
                                BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Mrs. LaVera 
Ethridge-Williams' 90th birthday. Ms. Ethridge Williams is a celebrated 
entrepreneur and community advocate, who has been a staple in the West 
Fresno community for more than fifty years.
  LaVera Ethridge-Williams was born in Boley, Oklahoma to John and 
Alberta Ethridge. She was raised in Wewoke, Oklahoma where she received 
her early education. In 1945, Mrs. Ethridge-Williams moved to Fresno 
and continued her education at Fresno City College and California State 
University, Fresno.
  Mrs. Ethridge-Williams married Lonzell Williams and together they 
were parents to three children. They've also been blessed with five 
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
  Mrs. Ethridge-Williams made child care her life's passion and 
lifelong career. She often cared for her younger siblings growing up 
and cared for her own children, in addition to those of family members 
and friends. In 1968, she attempted to open her first child care center 
in Fresno. Although the banks turned her loan requests down numerous 
times, she continued her persistence. Eventually through private 
funding, Mrs. Ethridge-Williams secured funding to open her first 
infant child care center. After four years of working with the 
California State Department of Social Welfare and Department of Health 
and Welfare, Mrs. LaVera Ethridge-Williams' dream became a reality, 
with the opening of her first childcare center in West Fresno. Not 
stopping there, Mrs. La Vera Ethridge-Williams opened a chain of 
daycare centers for infants and young children in Fresno. LaVera's 
Infant Nursery and LaVera's Educational Center provided desperately 
needed childcare for working parents in the area.
  Mrs. Ethridge-Williams has been rightfully honored by numerous local 
officials and organizations throughout her career. These include, the 
city of Fresno, Fresno Unified School District and the Phi Lambda 
Society.
  Outside of her work, Mrs. Ethridge-Williams enjoys spending time with 
her family and several hobbies. These include traveling, fishing and 
attending church, where she is an active member.
  She has always believed that personal success comes with a 
responsibility to touch the lives of others through good deeds. Today, 
she works to provide shelter for the homeless.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
LaVera Ethridge-Williams as she celebrates her 90th birthday. She is an 
inspiration for us all, having lived her life to serve others. I ask 
that you join me in wishing her and her family continued happiness.

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