[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN REMEMBRANCE OF MARY ELIZABETH PARKER COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2002

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with regret and deep sadness to 
announce the passing of Inland Empire community leader and dear friend 
Mary Elizabeth Parker Collins who died at the age of 73 on May 6th. I 
first got to know Mary when I was elected to the California Assembly. 
Mary volunteered in my San Bernardino office as I was beginning my 
political career. Her enthusiasm and wisdom were an inspiration to me 
and all who knew her.
  Mary was a great advocate of equality and humanitarianism her entire 
adult life. Her experience as a single mother of five children in the 
60's instructed Mary on the inequalities in society and was the 
catalyst for her commitment to social change. She became active in the 
Urban League of Indianapolis, where she dedicated herself to motivating 
the disenfranchised. Mary was involved in a wide variety of crucial 
movements such as tenant strikes, community based programs for at risk 
teens, and voter registration and participation programs.
  While continuing to seek a better life for her family, Mary moved her 
family west to Southern California. She spent time in Los Angeles 
before moving and settling in the Inland Empire. Mary continued her 
commitment to civil rights while in the Inland Empire, by participating 
in the ``Gates Must Go'' and ``Tyisha Miller Justice'' campaigns. She 
then served as President of the Fontana/Rialto NAACP, where she fought 
to reinstate the jobs of countless people of color who had been 
arbitrarily laid off. Mary also spearheaded the establishment of a 
Police Review Board in Rialto, which helped reduce the number of 
civilian shootings by Police and led the way for the first Black Police 
Chief of Rialto.
  Mary had a clear political gift, and she later served as President of 
the Inland Empire Democratic Club. She was not afraid of hard work and 
contributed greatly in my office by volunteering during my years as a 
newly elected California Assembly Member.
  Mary is survived by her only son, Stephan Collins, four daughters, 
Karen Collins Lewis, Remelle Lumpkins, Terry Hunter and Carolyn Gullex, 
15 grandchildren and 9 great grand children.
  Mary has left behind a wonderful legacy of social justice and 
community activism. She will be missed by family and friends alike. 
Mary touched us all with her kind deeds and leadership in our 
community. Barbara and I extend our deepest condolences to her family 
and may God bestow his comfort upon them at this time.

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