Volume 156, No. 77 covering the 2nd Session of the 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN REMEMBRANCE OF DEBORAH VERNICE REYNOLDS-HAZEN OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E894 on May 20, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN REMEMBRANCE OF DEBORAH VERNICE REYNOLDS-HAZEN OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember Deborah Vernice Reynolds-Hazen of Fort Worth, Texas.
Debbie danced her way into the lives of her parents, Alverta and Clarence Reynolds on January 12, 1953 in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School, Nolan Catholic High School, and Paul Quinn College. Before her college graduation, she attended Tarrant County Junior College, where she was crowned Miss TCJC, and she attended Texas Wesleyan College.
Debbie was one of the first Black finalists for the Miss Texas pageant and one of the first Black models for the Kim Dawson modeling agency. In her work in the Water Quality Protection Division of the Environmental Protection Agency, she served as both a water specialist and the Texas Tribal Outreach Education Coordinator. Debbie also worked for the Corps of Engineers.
Debbie loved Fort Worth and she dedicated her life to helping others through her very active community involvement. Mrs. Reynolds-Hazen was the first African-American chair of the Tarrant County Historical Commission. She also served on the Kupferle Board of the Harris Methodist Hospital system, as well as the boards of the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, the Arlington Landmarks Commission, Historic Preservation Council for Tarrant County and Historic Fort Worth.
Debbie was a Fort Worth Assembly debutante and she continued her involvement with the distinguished organization as a general member and as a member of the Executive Board. She was a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Links. She was a graduate of Leadership Fort Worth and was involved in her church of 57 years, the historic Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Fort Worth's beautiful South Side. It was there that she was a member of St. Anne's Altar Society and had sung with the first OMM Gospel Choir.
Always the life of anyone's party, Debbie was an enthusiastic and great dancer. In her lifetime, she had won many dance contests. It was not uncommon for her to make any floor her dancing arena. Her passion for dancing was infectious. She would pull people on the dance floor and made everyone want to dance with her, including those who were the most shy.
Debbie never met a stranger. She had an unparalleled flair about her. She could sashay into any crowd of people she didn't know and would walk away knowing the majority of them or the majority of people would walk away knowing who Debbie was.
This social butterfly was a very well-rounded person. An avid supporter of visual and performing arts, Debbie was a patron of museums and theatre, she travelled around the world, won many trivia contests, and played classical piano. She even recorded an album showcasing her musical talent.
She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 15 years, Robert J. Hazen, stepdaughters Robin Renee Black, UVanna Miller, brother, Clarence Reynolds, Jr., nieces, Judith M. Bell, Shelly Bell, and Jessica Reynolds, cousin (and unofficial younger sister), Glenda Batts Williams and uncles Roscoe Marion Means, Marshall Batts, and Melvin Buckner, and a whole host of loving relatives and dear friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Alverta and Clarence, by her sister, Clarece, sister-in-law, Alma, and stepson Wes Hazen. She danced her way back into these beloved relatives' lives on May 14, 2010.
A Wake will be held in Debbie's memory on Friday, May 21, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church at 1001 Terrell Avenue, in Fort Worth, Texas. The funeral Mass will be held at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a gift to the National Kidney Foundation be made in Mrs. Reynolds-Hazen's memory.
Madam Speaker, today I rise in remembrance of the very talented, enthusiastic, dedicated and selfless Deborah Vernice Reynolds-Hazen. She has had a profound effect on many, and will be dearly missed.
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