[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO JOHN I. SOUTHERLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John I. Southerland for 
his loyal service to the community.
  John I. Southerland was born in Sanford, N.C. to the late Annie Bell 
Southerland. He graduated from W.B. Wicker High School in 1959, then 
relocated to New Jersey and later to Brooklyn, N.Y. He is married to 
Eva Thomas Southerland and they are the proud parents of Jonathan 
Southerland, Stephanie Southerland-Raimer and Nydia Southerland.
  In 1968, Mr. Southerland joined the New York City Police Department. 
During his 27 years with the department, he earned numerous 
commendations and certificates. He received the Certificate of Merit 
for 27 years of service and a Certificate of Attendance, which is given 
to staff members who had not been late or absent for five more years. 
After retiring from the Police Department in 1995, he pursued his 
interest in fire safety. He then received a certificate and worked as a 
fire safety officer in the World Trade Center until September 11. Also 
during the 1990's, Mr. Southerland was installed as a Deacon, by the 
late Rev. Dr. Paul C. Hayes, at Mercy Seat Baptist Church of Brooklyn.
  In 2001, Mr. Southerland turned his attention to community advocacy. 
He is a member of the Executive Board of the Community Action Project 
(CAP), a community organization located in East Flatbush. As a board 
member, he has met with local politicians to lobby against fraudulent 
immigration services and rampant illegal truck traffic. Currently, he 
and the board strive to sustain the area's economic growth through 
better coordination of city services, specifically sanitation and 
police. He is also attending Queens College to broaden his 
understanding of political activism to better serve his community.
  Mr. Southerland is an active member of local DC 37. He was chosen as 
a delegate to go to Albany to meet with state representative to discuss 
issues pertaining to the union and its members.
  He continues to show commitment to the community by visiting the sick 
and helping senior citizens. He is always willing to share a smile and 
words of encouragement with everyone he meets. As a result, Mr. 
Speaker, today we acknowledge John I. Southerland, an asset to the 
community.

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