[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 30 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO MISS SANDRA ODESSA THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Sandra Odessa Thompson in 
recognition of her service to New York City and her dedication to her 
community through her numerous civic commitments.
  Sandra Odessa Thompson was born and raised in Brooklyn. Sandra is a 
permanent Associate Staff Analyst employed by the City of New York 
managing a portfolio of more than $100 million involving cultural 
institutions at the Department of Design & Construction (DDC). She 
earned a BS in Biology from Pennsylvania State University, a MA in 
Human Sexuality and Health Education, and a professional diploma in 
Human Resources Management from New York University. She is also the 
Editor-in-Chief of Origin, a new women's magazine, which is the premier 
magazine for women in the Delaware Valley.
  Over the years, Sandra has been actively involved in civic, community 
and fundraising events including a fundraiser for Creative Outlet Dance 
Theatre of Brooklyn, Inc., featuring the Broadway diva, Ms. Jennifer 
Holliday. She is a member of the Executive Board for the Organization 
of Staff Analysts (OSA); a member of OSA's Black History Committee; a 
team negotiator in 2004 for the City's Analysts; as well as a co-
founder of DDC's OSA Chapter, where she serves as Vice-Chair of 
Contracts & Negotiations. Sandra has also received numerous honors, 
community and civic awards including: the Precinct/Clergy Community 
Award for fostering police-community relations; the OSA's first Elaine 
Cherry Memorial Award for Union Activism; several City Council 
Citations; and the 98.7 KISS-FM Strong Achiever Award. She has also 
been recognized as one of The 2000 Most Notable American Women and for 
her work as a budget analyst for the City's portion [$65 million] of 
MoMA's (Museum of Modem Art) move from Manhattan to Queens and for one 
of her gardens (The Cloisters) she funded in a national magazine.
  Additionally, Sandra is creating a mentoring and scholarship 
foundation in her parents' memory. She mentors several young ladies; 
actively recruits and networks (in NYC) for prospective Penn State 
University (PSU) undergraduates as an alumni volunteer; and is a member 
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Previously, she was the past 
Recording Secretary and fundraiser for the 81st Precinct Community 
Council; a liaison between the 81st precinct community and youth 
councils; a strategic planning team member for the 2004 Youth Speak 
Outs & Borough Conference. Sandra also collaborated with the Kings 
County District Attorney's Office on the 2003 boroughwide Youth Speak 
Outs & Silence the Violence Youth Conference.
  Mr. Speaker, Sandra Odessa Thompson has dedicated herself to her 
community through both her professional and numerous volunteer efforts. 
As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and 
I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable 
person.

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