[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MARTHA THOMAS: A POINT-OF-LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, recently Dr. John C. LaRosa, President of 
SUNY Downstate Medical Center announced the appointment of noted 
community leader and writer, Martha Thomas as Assistant Vice President 
for Community and Government Relations.
  It is no secret in Brooklyn that Martha is a very skilled 
professional who, in her previous positions at SUNY Downstate Medical 
Center served as the Director of Community Relations in the Office of 
Institutional Advancement as well as Director of Media Relations. Since 
joining the staff in 1977, Martha has been instrumental in educating 
elected officials about the needs of the medical community as well as 
serving as a liaison to the community and its leadership.
  I have known Martha for a number of years, and I know personally the 
level of her commitment to insuring that all people have access to 
quality health care. In her new position, she will continue to serve as 
the government relations manager in addition to advising the 
institution on legislative issues ranging from health care to 
education.
  Prior to joining SUNY Downstate, Ms. Thomas was a Michelle Clarke 
Fellow at Columbia University and a television reporter at Two Florida 
stations: WCTV in Tallahassee and WJXT in Jacksonville. She is also a 
playwright whose work has been produced on Manhattan's Theater Row and 
in Brooklyn, Harlem, Phoenix, Arizona and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
  Martha is the mother of two. Her son Eric is a teacher in Trenton, 
New Jersey, and her daughter, Dr. Cheryl Thomas is a graduate of 
Downstate's College of Medicine who practices in New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Central Brooklyn's Martha 
Thomas as a Point-of-Light for all Americans.

                          ____________________