[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MAYOR WILMER JONES-HAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating Mayor Wilmer Jones-Ham as 
she is honored with the Woman of the Year Award by the Dr. Marie Wright 
Tolliver Cultural and Civic Club of Saginaw, Michigan on Sunday, 
October 5th.
  The Dr. Marie Wright Tolliver Cultural and Civic Club is an 
associated club of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, 
Incorporated. The Woman of the Year Award is named in honor of Dr. 
Tolliver and the work she has done over the years to improve life in 
the Saginaw area.
  In keeping with the motto of the National Association of Colored 
Women's Clubs, ``Lifting as we Climb,'' Mayor Ham has devoted her life 
to her church, her family and her community. Bom and raised in Saginaw, 
she graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelors 
Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Supervision and 
Administration. She then returned to her roots in the Saginaw School 
System and taught 7th and 8th grades for 24\1/2\ years.
  As a devoted proponent of Saginaw her civic involvement is extensive. 
As an active member of numerous organizations including the NAACP, Zeta 
Phi Beta Sorority, SIGMA, MBS International Airport, Downtown 
Development Board, New Perspectives, League of Women Voters, National 
Education Association, Habitat for Humanity, Agape Home for Social 
Change, Saginaw International Mahogany Models, Boys and Girls Club, 
Saginaw Soul Children, Saginaw Orchestra, the Mayor's Ball and 
Scholarship Foundation, and Restoration Community, Mayor Ham has 
contributed insight, leadership, and direction to every organization 
fortunate to have her as a member.
  Through her position as Music Minister with Tabernacle Baptist Church 
she has expanded the ministry and founded several organizations devoted 
to praising God. With her personal motto of ``I can do all things 
through Christ which strengthens me'' (Philippians 4:13), Mayor Ham has 
developed the 100 Voice Boys Choir, and Women and Men in Praise. Mayor 
Ham also serves as a member of the Saginaw Interdenominational 
Ministries and the board of St. John Trinity.
  Mayor Ham was married to the late Howard Leon Ham, is the mother to 
DeRonnie, DeToya and Darvin and the grandmother to Darvin Jr., Donovan, 
Dominic, Dominique, DeRhonda, and Alexis. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House 
of Representatives to rise with me today and join in congratulating 
Mayor Wilmer Jones-Ham as she is honored by the members of the Dr. 
Marie Wright Tolliver Cultural and Civic Club of Saginaw.

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