[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1854-E1855] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO MS. REEVES DIXON ______ HON. JOSE E. SERRANO of new york in the house of representatives Thursday, September 15, 2005 Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sympathy that I rise today to give a final goodbye to a wonderful woman who dedicated her life to helping others live well. Ms. Reeves Dixon passed away on September 2, 2005. She was a fine woman and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. This daughter of the Bronx life's resume is long and impressive but I want to take a moment to highlight the important contributions she made to the people of my community. Since 1980 Reeves worked with the 163rd Street Improvement Council, serving first as the Assistant Executive Director and later as its President and CEO. As CEO of the 163rd Street Improvement Council Reeves pushed the organization to plan, design, develop and implement affordable housing and support services that focused on meeting the housing and human services needs of the residents of the Southeast Bronx. Most of the Council's clients have incomes below the median level. In an effort to help empower these low income families the council offers an integrated program which provides quality and affordable housing through [[Page E1855]] direct assistance that includes support services, education, advocacy, placement and referral. The Council helps to increase self esteem and self determination and decrease dependency on government subsidies. Under her strong leadership the Council moved from a budget of $400,000 to a multi-million dollar organization. Its growth not only demonstrated the great need for such an organization in the Bronx but also the strong leadership and vision of Reeves. This past week the world watched in disbelief as Hurricane Katrina destroyed a major American city. While this storm will go down in history as the worst natural disaster to strike this Nation, it had much more significance. Katrina forced Americans to remove the wool that many had placed over their eyes to face the grim reality that there are millions of people in this country who live in utter poverty. Perhaps now Americans will realize the great responsibility they have to uplift those who are most vulnerable in our society. The life of Reeves Dixon is a shining example of how every American should lead his/her life--working to uplift her/his fellow man. Reeves understood that her community, much like the Nation as a whole, could not survive if its most vulnerable citizens were not protected. As a result she spent her life empowering others. Although Reeves has passed on, the many good works that she did will continue to benefit the lives of others for generations to come. Surely that is the mark of great life. For her unyielding spirit and kind heart I ask my colleagues to join me in saying goodbye to a dear friend and role model to us all--Ms. Reeves Dixon. ____________________