[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 78 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO MARTHA RODRIGUEZ-TORRES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Martha 
Rodriguez-Torres, a distinguished member of the Brooklyn, NY, 
community. It behooves us to pay tribute to this outstanding leader and 
I hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing her impressive 
accomplishments.
  Martha Rodriguez-Torres was born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn 
and is one of five children born to the late Carmen Rodriguez. In spite 
of being raised in a one-parent household, her mother made certain that 
education and community involvement were a priority in her home. Martha 
has her bachelor of science from Boston College, a master of science 
and a professional diploma from Long Island University and was a member 
of the Harvard University Principal's Institute.
  After working in several school districts throughout the city, Martha 
became the principal of PS 156, the Waverly School of the Arts where 
she accepted the challenge of leading a low performing school with only 
17 percent of the children reading at or above grade level. Today, the 
school is one that stands as a model for others. The school has become 
a nurturing environment for both students and teachers and the reading 
scores at the school have more than tripled.
  Martha is respected by both her superiors and peers and has served as 
a mentor principal and was a member of the Chancellor's Distinguished 
Faculty, where she trained new principals. Martha worked with Hunter 
College in the design and implementation of a new program for the 
training of future administrators.
  It is through Martha's dedication, tenacity and courage that she has 
been able to make a positive impact on her school community and it is 
because of these very qualities that she now serves as a local 
instructional superintendent in Region 5 as well as the community 
superintendent for Community School District 19.
  Martha is to be applauded for refusing to let her humble beginnings 
be an impediment for success, not forgetting from where she came and 
for continuing to serve those with challenging circumstances.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize 
the accomplishments of Martha Rodriguez-Torres as she offers her 
talents and philanthropic services for the betterment of our local and 
national communities.
  Mr. Speaker, Martha Rodriguez-Torres's selfless service has 
continuously demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes 
her most worthy of our recognition today.

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