July 31, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1365 

And she somehow found time to publish two 

successful cookbooks. 

In 2001, Sylvia said goodbye to her best 

friend, the love of her life, Herbert Woods. In 

his memory, the Woods family founded the 

Sylvia and Herbert Woods Scholarship Fund 

offering collegiate scholarships to Harlem 

and local residents. To date, the fund has 

dispersed 76 scholarships and will continue 

to live up to its mantra: ‘‘a higher level of 

education should not be a high-end luxury, 

but a right to all those who seek it’’. 

After the death of her soul mate, Sylvia 

once again turned to her faith for renewed 

empowerment. Growing up in a strong Christian home, she came to know God as a young 

child. She was a firm believer in the notion 

that no matter what the adversity, God 

would see you through. It was a value and 

belief system she passed down to her children and grandchildren. Sylvia was a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church for many 

years, and later joined Grace Baptist Church 

as it was more convenient for her to attend 

there. She was instrumental in the construction of her home church, Jeremiah Methodist, in Hemingway. 

In 2007, Sylvia received a Congressional 

honor acknowledging her immense contribution to American society. She appeared in 

numerous national and international media 

outlets and has been saluted by President 

Bill Clinton, New York Governor Pataki, 

New York Mayors Ed Koch, David Dinkins 

and Mike Bloomberg, the New York Stock 

Exchange, among others. She was also recognized by the NAACP and received numerous 

awards. 

Sylvia’s has proudly served Presidents—including the first African American President, Barack Obama—international dignitaries, celebrities, Harlem residents and 

tourists the world over. It is owned and operated by three generations of the Woods family that remain committed to the work 

ethic, devotion, and entrepreneurial spirit of 

its founder. 2012 marks the 50th anniversary 

of Sylvia’s. 

A relentless fighter and champion first for 

her family, community, and minority/female-owned businesses, Sylvia is now reunited with her mother, grandmother, husband Herbert, adopted sister Louise Thomas 

and half-brother McKinley Preston, all of 

whom have passed on. She is survived by her 

four children, Van (Brenda Woods) Bedelia, 

Kenneth (Sylvia Woods) and Crizette; one 

step-daughter, Linda Woods; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two greatgreat-grandchildren; two special cousins, 

Christine Cameron and Janie Cooper; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Woods; a host of loving 

nieces, nephews, cousins and a nation that 

will forever be indebted to a woman who reminded us to never lose sight of the key ingredient for any success. 

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in commemorating the 50th 

anniversary of the founding of this esteemed 

Harlem institution. May it continue its long run 

of excellence for another 50 years and more. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO RICHARD L. GRANT 

HON. JO BONNER OF ALABAMA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Richard L. Grant, who recently retired as 

the Vice President and Region Manager of 

Boise White Paper Alabama Operations on 

May 31, 2012. Mr. Grant knows the value of 

hard work, as well as the importance of loyalty 

to one’s company. 

Mr. Grant began his career after graduating 

with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental 

Studies at the University of Maine in 1977. 

After graduation, he began a long journey, ultimately taking him from the East coast to the 

West and finally down to Alabama. 

He began work with Boise as the Pulp Mill 

Day Supervisor in 1987 in Wallula, Washington. He then became the Power and Utilities Superintendent from 1988 to 1989 at 

Smurfit Newsprint Corporation in Oregon. In 

1989, Mr. Grant moved to the Alabama Operations, where he held a variety of positions 

from 1989 to 2008 which included: Operations 

Manager, Production Manager, Paper Machine 

Superintendent, Recycle General Superintendent, Utilities Superintendent and Region 

Manager of the Alabama Operations, before 

being promoted to Vice President in November of 2008. 

In addition to being a leader in safety, Mr. 

Grant has made many outstanding and lasting 

contributions to Boise and his community. He 

has been a leader in the development of people’s character, mentoring many of the key 

managers within the Boise Paper family. 

These contributions to the company will be 

greatly missed. 

Rick has been a tremendous and positive 

force in his community and the Boise Paper 

Company. He has set a high standard of leadership that will be difficult to replace. 

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of 

South Alabama, I would like to extend a job 

well done, as well as our very best wishes to 

the Rick and his wife, Sissie, for all their future 

endeavors. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. JOSE ́ E. SERRANO OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 

531 I inadvertently voted ‘‘aye’’ when I intended to vote ‘‘no’’ on the Fitzpatrick Amendment to H.R. 4078. I would like the record to 

reflect this error, and to reiterate my opposition to efforts to undermine the SarbanesOxley Act of 2002. Sarbanes-Oxley has been 

an important bill that improves corporate transparency and helps to ensure confidence in our 

financial markets, and I continue to support 

this vital legislation. 

f 

HONORING REV. WILLIAM F. 

HARRELL 

HON. PAUL C. BROUN OF GEORGIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to pay tribute to a Southern Baptist minister in Georgia’s Tenth Congressional District, 

Rev. William F. Harrell. After serving as Senior 

Pastor of Abilene Baptist Church for the past 

31 years, Rev. Harrell, or Brother Bill, as he 

is lovingly referred to by his church congregation, is entering retirement. 

Under his leadership, Abilene Baptist has 

grown to nearly 2,900 members, and the ministry includes a region-wide television program, entitled ‘‘Strength for Today.’’ Its building stands as a stunning landmark, and the 

reputation of its members is a powerful testimony to the greatness of God. The church’s 

success and strength is due, in large part, to 

Rev. Harrell’s faithfulness and care in serving 

the community of the Central Savannah River 

Area and first and foremost, our Lord Jesus 

Christ. He has served a total of 39 years in 

ministry, holding a number of positions in the 

Augusta Baptist Association, Georgia Baptist 

Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. 

For this reason, and on the occasion of his 

retirement, it is my honor to acknowledge Rev. 

Bill Harrell, for his outstanding career and significant contributions to Christian ministry. Furthermore, I extend my sincere appreciation to 

a servant leader in whom I value his friendship 

and hold in the highest regard. Rev. Harrell is 

a man who is certain of his calling, consistent 

in his ministry, and committed to doing the 

work of the Lord. 

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States 

Congress, I applaud the great work of Rev. 

William Harrell and congratulate him on the 

occasion of his retirement. 

f 

HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF 

ALABAMA MEN’S GOLF TEAM 

HON. JO BONNER OF ALABAMA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor 

the University of Alabama’s men’s golf team 

which placed runner up to the National Champion Team from the University of Texas, on 

June 3, 2011. The Crimson Tide’s record of 

accomplishment this season is the best in the 

history of the University’s golf program. 

Although the Tide was behind all day, they 

fought hard to come back. Senior Hunter 

Hamrick, from Montgomery, was able to put 

points on the board for the Crimson Tide with 

a 6 and 5 win. Sophomore Bobby Wyatt, from 

Mobile, played a dramatic hole with a birdie 

chip on 18 winning his match 1 up. Sophomore Cory Whitsett tied the final match with a 

birdie on 17. And, on 18, Texas player Dylan 

Frittelli needed to sink a 20-foot-putt to beat 

the Crimson Tide in the final match. 

With such an outstanding performance, the 

Alabama golf team completed their most successful season in the school’s history by placing runner-up at the NCAA Championship. 

The team also won its third SEC Championship, the school’s second regional title, as well 

as finished first in the stroke-play portion of 

the NCAA Championship over Texas by 10 

shots. 

The 2012 men’s golf team members are 

Hunter Hamrick, Lee Knox, Tom Lovelady, 

Trey Mullinax III, Scott Strohmeyer, Justin 

Thomas, Cory Whitsett, and Bobby Wyatt. 

The coaching staff consists of Head Coach 

Jay Seawell, Assistant Coach Scott Limbaugh, 

and Team Chaplain Stephan Bunn. 

On behalf of the people of Alabama and my 

colleagues in the Alabama Delegation, I wish 

to extend personal congratulations to Coach 

Jay Seawell, the coaching staff, and the men 

of the University of Alabama Men’s Golf Team 

for their tremendous accomplishment. 


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