[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNITION TO NORMA BRITO TODD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2002

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call the attention of my 
colleagues to a friend and constituent of the Sixth District of New 
Jersey. Mrs. Norma Brito Todd, who at 82 years of age, works as the 
director and coordinator of Lunch Break Inc. in Red Bank, New Jersey is 
being honored as New Jersey's Outstanding Older Worker.
  Mrs. Todd was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on October 6, 1920. She 
was one of five children born to Joseph Brito, a real estate broker, 
and Lucy Brito, a homemaker. She grew up in Red Bank and attended River 
Street School and Red Bank High School. Norma began her college 
education at North Carolina State College in Durham, NC. She completed 
her studies at Cortez Peters Business School in Washington, DC. She 
graduated in 1944.
  In Washington, Norma met and shortly thereafter married James Richard 
Todd. Together they embarked on a thirty-five year career and never-
ending adventure in the U.S. Foreign Service, which took them all over 
the world. Some of their stops over the course of these thirty-five 
years included:
  Cairo, Egypt, where Norma helped administer anti-cholera injections 
and taught hygiene to local townspeople. Norma had ample time to 
evacuate, but she chose to remain at her husband's side and assist 
during this epidemic. The Todd's older daughter, Cynthia, was born in 
Cairo.
  Tel Aviv, Israel, Norma helped her husband distribute Social Security 
checks to retired Americans living in remote places in Israel. The 
Todd's second daughter, Coralle, was born during their stay in Israel.
  Now at 81 years of age, Mrs. Norma Todd is the Director and 
Coordinator of the Lunch Break Program in Red Bank. She has held this 
position since 1983. She arrives at the center each morning at seven, 
stating that she needs a little peaceful time to herself before the 
hustle and bustle of the day begins.
  Norma's colleagues describe her as: a mother, a teacher, a friend, or 
just a shoulder to cry on to those in the community who find themselves 
in need. She has a sparkle in her eye, and a bounce in her gait. 
Norma's life mission has always been to help those in need, both young 
and old. She has always devoted her time to her family and to public 
service. She has never measured her success by money but rather by her 
accomplishments throughout the world.
  It is with great satisfaction and appreciation that I ask my 
colleagues to join with me and commend the extraordinary contributions 
of Mrs. Norma Brito Todd.

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