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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E770-E771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 2019 BLACK AND GOLD SCHOLARSHIP BALL AWARD RECIPIENTS
______
HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Joyce-Gillespie-
Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon
Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on the occasion of
their 39th annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball.
The Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation
was incorporated in 2001 and was formed to provide financial support to
the educational initiatives developed by the Chapter and Fraternity. It
increases opportunities for achievement for young African-American men
and women through scholarships, mentoring, and charitable services. The
Foundation was named in honor of three community leaders and fraternity
members, James Burwell Gillespie, Roosevelt Harrington, and Henry Louis
Joyce who were dedicated to the ideals of ``Scholarship, Community,
Service and Love for all Mankind.'' Since its inception, the Foundation
has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to local youth to assist
them with continuing their education.
The programs offered by the foundation are vital to the success of
our students. This year's Black and Gold Scholarship Ball will support
scholarships for ten college-bound high school students. During the
last nineteen years, one-hundred students have received scholarships
awarded by the foundation and have attended some of the top colleges
and universities in the country. With the typical college graduate's
debt averaging about $30,000.00, the Foundation's continued support of
these students is absolutely critical.
I am pleased to include in the Record the following names of the 2019
scholarship winners:
Andrews Boateng--Stone Bridge H.S.; Jacklyn Bostic-Clarke--Broad Run
H.S.; Ariana Frazier--TC Williams H.S.; Alexander Harvey--Freedom H.S.;
Kevin M. Jackson--Lake Braddock S.S.; Abigail Jegels--Broad Run H.S.;
Sydney Jenkins--Briar Woods H.S.; Cameron Miller--Broad Run H.S.;
Andrew Otchere--Rock Ridge H.S.; Derrick L. Pough, Jr.--Loudoun County
H.S.; Jonathan G. Williams--Tuscarora H.S.
Madam Speaker, these students represent our country's next generation
of gifted leaders who will have great impact on our society and future.
I thank the Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Charitable and Education
Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity for their dedicated commitment to fostering success in our
youth and commend all of the scholarship winners for their academic
excellence. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these
talented students and in wishing them great success in all their future
endeavors.
[[Page E771]]
IN HONOR OF G. ROLAND VELA, PH.D.
______
HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions
of G. Roland Vela, Ph.D. to the City of Denton and the academic
community. Dr. Vela is a retired professor at the University of North
Texas, where he served as one of the first Latino faculty members. At
UNT, he authored 75 scientific papers and books regarding Texas
History. This history-maker also blazed trails as the first Hispanic
member of the Denton City Council and one of the country's first
Mexican-American Microbiologists. In honor of Dr. Vela's distinguished
achievements, the City of Denton dedicated the G. Roland Vela Athletic
Complex on May 26, 2019.
Dr. Vela was raised in San Antonio, Texas. During World War II, he
joined the Texas State Guard at age fifteen and convinced his parents
to sign release papers that would allow him to enlist in the U.S. Navy
at just seventeen. Though the war concluded before he was assigned to a
ship, the young Texan dedicated the following year of his life to the
Navy in peacetime.
Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Dr. Vela attended
San Antonio Junior College. After transferring to the University of
Texas at Austin, he took multiple jobs to support himself before
graduating with a degree in bacteriology. In 1951, he received a
scholarship for his master's degree in bacteriology, which he completed
in just one year, followed by a doctorate in microbiology and
biochemistry in 1963.
Dr. Vela later began a 35-year tenure as a professor at the
University of North Texas in Denton, where he taught undergraduate and
graduate courses in microbiology. He was chosen to be part of the
American Academy of Microbiology and was named the Associate Dean of
Science and Technology in the College of Art and Sciences. During his
tenure at UNT, Dr. Vela oversaw the research of numerous students and
mentored 20 doctoral students before retiring in 2000.
In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Dr. Vela is a
public servant. He was the first Hispanic member elected to the Denton
City Council, and has served on the Texas Municipal Power Agency Board
of Directors as well as numerous boards and commissions.
The G. Roland Vela Athletic Complex is a fitting tribute to this
remarkable North Texan. I join Dr. Vela's family, friends, colleagues,
and students in celebrating this well-deserved honor.
____________________