[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 122 (Wednesday, July 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1518-E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           A POINT OF LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS: IVY CATHERWOOD

                                 ______


                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 1995
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, we are privileged to salute Ivy Catherwood as 
a Point-of-Light for America. For 34 years of her 80 years, Ms. 
Catherwood served on the staff of the New York City Police Department. 
Her story is a story of self-help, sterling citizenship, and great 
generosity to her community.

[[Page E1519]]

  Ivy Catherwood was born in the Roxbury section of Boston, MA, on July 
29, 1915. Her parents, Louise and Claude, both of West Indian descent, 
moved shortly after her birth back to Jamaica in the West Indies. She 
attended elementary and high school in the West Indies. She returned to 
the United States and worked for several years in Boston as a 
saleslady. In the mid 1950's, she came to New York City and attended 
Hunter College for 2 years studying liberal arts at night. She also 
held several jobs--one as a clerk at Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan. 
She was hired by the New York City Police Department in November, 1960, 
and worked for 34 years until April, 1995. She has two brothers, one 
deceased. She also has 1 nephew, 1 grand nephew, and 1 grand niece.
  Her extended family consists of the many organizations of which she 
is a member: NYPD Guardians Association--was the secretary for 6 years 
and civilian trustee for approximately 10 years, Vanguard Independent 
Democratic Association, 100 Women for Major Owens, the Federation of 
African-American Civil Servants--served as a delegate from the 
Guardians Association, the Federation of Black Trade Unionists, DC-37, 
Local 1549--served as a delegate from the NYPD, CBTU, and CLU.
  Ivy is an outstanding example of loyalty and dependability. She can 
be counted on to make the phone calls for the union or political 
candidates and assist with voter registration or other assigned tasks. 
Ivy has been an outstanding financial supporter of elected officials 
and community-based organizations. She fully understands the concept of 
political and economic empowerment. Her activism is witnessed by her 
colleagues and many friends because she teaches by example. We pause to 
salute Ivy Catherwood on the occasion of her birthday and retirement 
after 34 years of service with the New York City Police Department.
  Ivy Catherwood's great Point-of-Light shines behind the achievement 
of many Brooklyn and New York City leaders. Through several decades, 
Ivy has been there for the causes that mattered most. As a model for 
her generation and for our youth, we proudly salute Ivy Catherwood as a 
great Point-of-Light.


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