[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               ANN-MARIE ADKER, PUBLIC SERVICE ROLE MODEL

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 1994

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in celebration 
of the life, legacy, and many contributions made by Ann-Marie Adker, a 
matriarch of our community and unofficial mayor of Overtown.
  For nearly five decades, Ann-Marie served the residents of her 
community and waged many battles on their behalf. Through her efforts, 
Miami's first police substation was established in Overtown, and a 
neighborhood center and health clinic soon followed.
  Ann-Marie was an ardent warrior for the citizens of Overtown, and the 
poor. The works of few people in our community have captured the hearts 
and stirred the souls and imaginations of Miamians like those of Ann-
Marie Adker.
  No one could speak for the people of Overtown like Ann-Marie. She 
lived there. She knew the people. She knew the problems. And, she knew 
the solutions.
  I've worked with Ann-Marie on dozens of projects and was always 
impressed by her energy, personal integrity, intelligence, and intense 
passionate concern for her friends and neighbors and even for people 
she never met.
  Mr. Speaker, it's people like Ann-Marie that make our communities 
work, for they ensure that the tasks that need to get done are done, 
and that attention is paid to neighborhoods that are too often 
overlooked.
  Ann-Marie understood that the quality of life centers around home and 
the neighborhood. Though she often worked on big projects with far 
reaching implications, she never lost sight of the fact that the 
success of even the largest projects must be measured by how they 
improve the lives of individuals and families.
  I encourage young people to get involved in government service, but 
clearly Ann-Marie was every bit as effective as most civil servants, 
and far more effective than many. She was as familiar at City Hall as 
any elected official, and certainly as respected. Ann-Marie was a true 
public servant.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in extending deepest 
condolences to Ann-Marie's family; her daughters Williene Adker, 
Barbara Adker, and Karen King; sons Winfred Young, Willie Everette 
Adker and Keith Adker; brother Claudell Young; former husband Willie 
Adker; 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
  Overtown, and indeed, all of America, has suffered a great loss.

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