[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 44 (Thursday, April 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF NORA E. WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of a truly remarkable woman 
on the occasion of her 100th birthday celebration.
  Deacon Nora E. Wright was born at the dawn of the twentieth century 
to the late Rev. and Mrs. Robert Brightwell in Atlanta, Georgia. She 
graduated from the Roth Street School and Spelman Seminary in her 
hometown. As the daughter of a Baptist Minister she was taught to love 
family and church above all else. In 1952, she joined the Berean 
Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Dr. Hylton L. James. 
She has always been an active and dedicated member of her church. 
Deacon Wright has served as a Supervisor of the Deaconess Broad for 15 
years, President of the Senior Missionary Society for 24 years, an 
advisor to the floral club, and a member of the Senior and Volunteer 
Choirs. Her religious convictions and service go far beyond her own 
church. In 1978, she was honored for her 44 years of service as a 
District Worker to 25 churches, Recording Secretary for 30 years, and 
as the Vice-President at large. Under the Pastorate of Dr. Arlee 
Griffin, Nora was consecrated as a Deacon. Extending beyond the Eastern 
Baptist Association, she became Chairman of the Worship Committee of 
the New England Convention.
  Deacon Wright's work has not been limited to the church. She also 
organized and became the leader of the Annie G. Martin Tent # 102; she 
was the organizer and president of the Guiding Light Benevolent Club of 
Brooklyn; and Founder and Executive Director of the Ruth L. McLean 
Scholarship Guild. All of these groups were formed with the concept of 
helping others. Nora has also held positions as the Recording Secretary 
of the Executive Board of the Eastern District Grand Tent #3; Financial 
Secretary of the Brooklyn Tent Home; a member of the Past Grand 
Officers League of the Royal Degree Chamber #5; and Treasurer of the 
C.V.C. Alumni. One of her greatest accomplishments is the creation of 
the first Black calendar Children Preview in 1960.
  Deacon Wright has been recognized for many of her accomplishments; 
she received a citation from the now former Brooklyn Borough President, 
Howard Golden; a citation of honor as an extraordinary elder from the 
Kings County District Attorney, the Honorable Charles J. Hynes; and a 
citation from former New York State Assemblyman(now Councilman), the 
Honorable Al Vann.
  Mr. Speaker, Deacon Nora E. Wright is a wife, a mother, grandmother, 
great grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She has lived through 
experiences that most can only read about in history books and 
throughout she has remained a dedicated church leader, and a lover of 
all mankind. On the occasion of her 100th Birthday, she is more than 
deserving of this recognition and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this truly remarkable woman.

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