Mr. Speaker: I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and to recognize a remarkable leader of the Tampa Bay community, Dr. Carolyn Collins. Her work as a public healthcare advocate, champion of education, and a broadcaster stand as a powerful testament to a lifetime of public service.

After graduating from Howard W. Blake High School in the Tampa Bay area in 1965, Dr. Collins earned a degree in Foods, Nutrition, and Institutional Management from Florida A&M University in 1973. She also earned a Masters of Public Administration degree in Health Services Management and Administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California. Having attained these considerable academic qualifications, Dr. Collins launched a long and successful career.

Dr. Collins has been extremely active in advocacy efforts on behalf of the African American community in the Tampa Bay area. She currently serves as the Chapter President of the NAACP and her involvement in the Hillsborough County chapter of the NAACP stretches back to 1973. As a Registered and Licensed Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Dr. Collins was a strong advocate for improving public health in the Tampa community. She served as a Clinical Nutrition Specialist for over 34 years at Tampa General Hospital. In addition to her professional work, she served as chair of the Employment Advisory Committee, serving the interests of over 4,000 employees at Tampa General Hospital.

Dr. Collins has also been an active voice in our community. From 1986 to 1992, she hosted her own television show, “Black Contact,” broadcast on the CBS-affiliated WTVT Channel 13. She received the prestigious Creative Excellence in Business Advertising Award for her show.

Dr. Collins has been a strong supporter of improving public education. Since the 1970s, she has been actively involved in the Hillsborough County Head Start Program in a variety of different capacities. She has served as the Parent President in the past and also represented the program as the chair of the Hillsborough County Community Action Agency Board of Directors. Inspired by the powerful effect of her own academic career, Dr. Collins has been active in all levels of the Florida A&M University alumni association for over 35 years. For 7 of those years, she served as Vice President of the National Alumni Association, and afterwards became the president of the association.

Dr. Collins has many honors to her credit, not only in her professional career but also for her outstanding community involvement. Her example is truly an inspiration to all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I join the Tampa Bay community in thanking Dr. Carolyn Collins for her many years of selfless public service.