[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF BERTA MAY BARKER DYER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Berta May Barker Dyer in 
recognition of her commitment to her community and her family.
  Berta May Barker Dyer is a native of Costa Rica. She lived in Colon, 
Panama for several years before she moved to the United States and 
became a citizen.
  Berta's first career was as an elementary-school teacher. After some 
consideration, she decided to put aside her career as an educator and 
take care of her eleven children. Recognizing the importance of 
education, she supported and encouraged her children's pursuit of 
professional careers. Several of them became professionals working in 
the areas of education, cosmetics, electricity, medicine, the U.S. 
Marines, the airline industry, and housewives. She credits her parents 
the late Joney Dyer de Barker and Steven Parchment with instilling the 
importance of education in her as well as a guiding and nurturing 
spirit.
  At Berta's tender age of seventy-one she has a wonderful rapport with 
her thirty-three grandchildren and enjoys visiting with her five great 
grandchildren in Colon, Panama. She still finds time to read and preach 
to several of her grandchildren about the importance of education.
  Berta is a devout Seventh Day Adventist who credits her strong 
religious background to her beloved stepfather, Amos Barker Clark (aka 
``Pa''). She is a member of several community organizations. As a 
retired Nursing Assistant, she acts as a missionary reaching out to the 
sick and shut ins throughout her Brooklyn community. In addition, Berta 
is an avid seamstress who crochets and embroiders as a hobby.
  Mr. Speaker, Berta May Barker Dyer has lead a life dedicated to her 
community and her family. As such she is more than worthy of receiving 
this recognition and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this 
truly remarkable woman.

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