[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 88 (Tuesday, July 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1197-E1198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MARCELLA R. BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. 
Marcella R. Brown, an outstanding individual who has dedicated her life 
to public service and education. She was honored on July 8, 2000 by 
parents, family, friends, and professionals for her outstanding 
contributions to the community at the Washington Avenue Community 
Center in the Bronx.
  Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Mrs. Brown moved to the South 
Bronx in 1959 with her late husband, Nathaniel, and their eight 
children. She is blessed with 19 grandchildren and three great 
grandchildren. In 1967, Mrs. Brown began as a community organizer at 
L.A.B.O.R. and was there for twenty years. In 1972, she earned a B.A. 
Degree in Urban Planning from Manhattan College and continued her 
pursuit of postgraduate studies and was awarded a certificate in Health 
& Human Services. She also graduated with honors from the first class 
at NYCPD Citizens' Policy Academy, an initiative designed to build 
positive community relations between residents and the police 
department
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Brown, currently, works with the Ehrlick 
Residential Mental Health Housing Program assisting residents in need 
of supportive intensive services. She began as a Residential Counselor 
and for the past eleven years she has served as the Entitlement Intake 
Specialist. In addition, she served as the District Leader in the 78th 
Assembly District for two terms. She was on the first community board 
of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Health Center, where she served for 
twenty years and is the proud recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King 
Jr. Life Time Achievement's award for dedicated service. Mrs. Brown was 
responsible for organizing the community to advance the completion of 
the NYCHA development at 1162-76 Washington Avenue in the Bronx. She 
also assisted in the screening of tenants for the first ``Turnkey''

[[Page E1198]]

NYCHA development in the South Bronx/Morrisania area.
  Mrs. Brown belongs to many business, professional, religious and 
civic organizations and has received numerous honors and awards. 
Presently, she is serving her fifth term as Chairwoman of Community 
Planning Board III, she serves as President of the 1162-76 Washington 
Avenue Tenant Association and has been a resident since the development 
opened in 1974, she is former Chairwoman for the Interim Council of 
Presidents for the NYCHA Bronx South District, First Vice President at 
Lincoln Hospital Community Advisory Board, Worthy Matron at Tyber 
Chapter #6C Order of Eastern Stars, Member of the Bronx Urban League 
and the NAACP. She serves as the Chairwoman of Women's Day Program and 
President of Pastor's Aide-Auxillary at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Mrs. 
Brown's daily motto has been ``I can do all things through Christ who 
strengthens me.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Marcella R. Brown for her outstanding achievements in community 
service.

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