[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MS. PAULA J. MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
during this month, dedicated to the celebration of African Americans 
who have made great contributions to the world, to pay tribute to Ms. 
Paula J. Martin, a woman who has worked vigorously to ensure the less 
fortunate of her community have the necessary skills to succeed in 
life.
  Paula serves as the Executive Director of the Harlem Center for 
Education (HCE), a community based non-profit organization located in 
East Harlem, New York. Among its programs, HCE counts two federal TRIO 
Talent Search projects and one Educational Opportunity Center Project. 
Paula has been involved in TRIO programs for over 32 years.
  During the 20 years she has served as Executive Director of HCE, the 
organization has grown from an operational budget of $137,000 to one 
that is currently over $1,000,000. Her unique ability to secure timely 
grants has allowed the Harlem Center for Education to grow and reach 
more deserving young people and adults.
  Like most of the students with whom she works, Paula is a first 
generation college student. A graduate of Hunter College High School, 
she went on to receive a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and 
a master's degree in developmental psychology from Columbia University. 
This achievement alone is worthy of praise; but Paula did not stop 
there. She decided to dedicate her entire professional career to 
empowering individuals who shared her life struggles, thus helping to 
ensure that the cycle of poverty is broken.
  Booker T . Washington once said: ``Success is to be measured not so 
much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles 
which he has overcome.'' Indeed, Paula has overcome great obstacles to 
achieve the position that she now holds and would surely be considered 
a great success by Washington's standards. However, what impresses me 
the most about this incredible woman is that she was not satisfied with 
achieving success for herself. Like Washington, she has worked 
tirelessly to pull others up from the depths of despair, providing them 
with opportunities to find success in their own lives.
  Mr. Speaker, this country owes much of its greatness to the countless 
men and women of color who silently contributed to the pages of 
history. Today, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting them for 
their efforts and in paying tribute to the great leaders who stand upon 
their shoulders, such as Ms. Paula J. Martin.

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