[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A POINT-OF-LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS: THELMA MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute an individual who is a 
tireless advocate for her community--Mrs. Thelma Martin. At every 
critical juncture, she amasses the resources and summons the courage to 
challenge wrongdoings and embellish the lives of countless children, 
families, and citizens. She embarks on civic and community endeavors 
with the same fervor in which she attacks political and social ills. 
Upon any evaluation of her contributions, it is difficult to determine 
where her civic and professional responsibilities begin and end. Thelma 
Martin is a great POINT-OF-LIGHT whose work must be celebrated.
  As a native New Yorker, Mrs. Martin's professional life has always 
been consumed by a relentless devotion to community. Currently, she is 
the executive director of the Renaissance Development Corp. In this 
capacity, Thelma Martin's accomplishments include development of 
various successful national-, state-, and local-sponsored programs 
including the Youth Development Delinquency and Recreation program, 
Commercial Revitalization program, Community Achievement project, Work 
Incentive program, and the Structured Educational Support program. 
Moreover, she is responsible for developing the first youth conference. 
Mrs. Martin also focuses her organization's endeavors on parental 
involvement projects, cultural trips, and practical workshops.
  Thelma Martin's present record of public service is rivaled only by 
her past appointments. She has served as the executive director of the 
South Brooklyn Community Corp. Under her administration, Mrs. Martin 
sponsored and organized the First Annual South Brooklyn Summer Festival 
for area merchants and residents--now known as the ``Atlantic Antic''. 
She also supervised 19 delegate agencies and 254 employees and had the 
largest number of area residents enrolled in college out of the 26 
other area poverty agencies.
  Despite her professional demands, Mrs. Martin still finds time to 
excel in civic duties. She has served as the superintendent of the 
Cuyler Warren Street Church Sunday School, member of Community Board 
No. 16, member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, member of the New 
York State Association of Renewal and Housing Officials, member of the 
76th Precinct Council, vice president of the New York City Association 
of Executive Directors, chairperson of the board of directors of the 
Jules Michael Day Care Center, council president of the Cuyler Warren 
Methodist Church and chairperson of the Pastor Public Relations 
Committee.
  Unsurprisingly, Thelma Martin's work has not gone unacknowledged; she 
is the recipient of more than two dozen awards and commendations from 
many public officials and organizations. Among her honors are 
congressional awards from the 12th Congressional District and a 
senatorial award; an award from the New York State Democratic Party for 
her duties of community services; and awards from the Youth Committee 
Board No. 16, Ladies of Planning Board No. 16, and the African 
Methodist Episcopal Church. She was also recognized for helping to 
enrich the lives of more than 5 million children and their families.
  A strong sense of family is another characteristic of Thelma Martin's 
life. She has been married to Woodrow Martin for 38 years and has two 
sons, Glen David and Mark Anthony; one grandson, Glen, Jr.; and one 
daughter-in-law, Ingrid.
  Inarguably, Thelma Martin has conducted herself as a model citizen. 
She has accepted the rights, duties, and responsibilities of a 
democratic society with deliberation, fortitude, and compassion. She 
has chosen to exercise her inner power to the fullest possible extent, 
having utilized her actions to improve the lives of individuals, 
enhance her community, challenge institutions, and demand reform of 
adverse practices. She is a great POINT-OF-LIGHT for all of the people 
of America to appreciate and admire.

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