[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING MARY A. BUNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak in praise of a special 
woman whose life is an inspiration to others and who is a cornerstone 
of the African-American community in Yonkers. Because of this and for 
many other reasons, Mary A. Bunch has been named Grand Matriarch of the 
1997 African-American Heritage Celebration.
  Mrs. Bunch was born in Florida in 1925 and knew at an early age that 
she wanted to serve people. While still young she was influenced by Dr. 
Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Howard Thurman, two eminent educators who 
became her mentors. They encouraged her to pursue her education and 
after she graduated from the Brylin-Haven Christian School for Girls in 
Florida, she moved to the Bronx. There she married Thomas Bunch, now 
deceased, and they had four children.
  She was active in her children's education and worked in many areas 
with young girls, including the Girl Scouts, and also in the Salvation 
Army. In 1965, the Messiah Baptist Church was one of the first to host 
the Head Start Program and Mrs. Bunch was one of the first to work in 
it. She quickly rose to head teacher and was the first individual in 
Yonkers certified as a child development associate, someone qualified 
to teach with young children.
  She taught until her retirement 3 years ago. Even now she continues 
her good works at Rosary Hill with the incurably ill, with seniors at 
the Nepperhan Community Center, and at the Messiah Baptist Church 
School.
  For her many achievements, her basic decency and her inspiration to 
the young she richly deserves this honor.

                          ____________________