[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 79 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO NEZAM KELVIN AND CYNTHIA HOSEIN

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Nezam Kelvin and 
Cynthia Hosein, for their outstanding volunteer work with the 500 Block 
Association Community Garden and Food Pantry.
  Kelvin, as he is known, and his wife Cynthia were born and raised in 
Trinidad, West Indies. In 1989, they moved to East New York in 
Brooklyn. They have two children, Princess (18) and Kelvin Jr. (13), 
and attend the Shepherd Home Open Bible Church.
  Mr. Hosein is the President of the Euclid 500 Block Association 
Community Garden and Food Pantry, where both Kelvin and Cynthia 
volunteer. This picturesque garden is located on Euclid Avenue between 
Belmont and Sutter Avenue. In the spring of 2000, the Association built 
a basketball court behind the garden to provide neighborhood kids a 
recreational alternative to ``hanging out'' in the street. In addition 
to basketball, the site is used for regular cookouts for the kids and 
volunteers. In November 2000, the Association, together with Food For 
Survival and Green Guerillas, opened their food pantry. The number of 
people served, already at 440 families, increased dramatically after 
September 11, 2001. The line is so long, police assistance is now 
necessary to maintain an orderly process. Needless to say, the food 
pantry has had a tremendous effect on the community.
  I would like to congratulate Nezam Kelvin and Cynthia Hosein, and the 
Euclid 500 Block Association Community Garden for their dedicated 
efforts in support of our Brooklyn community and I urge my colleagues 
to join me in honoring these dedicated community servants.

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