[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTY R. PINKSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
Dr. Marty R. Pinkston, a longtime and dear friend of my family and one 
of our community's unsung heroines.
  On Friday, December 15, 2006, her peers, friends and supporters will 
honor her at a farewell dinner as she retires from her position as 
Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at Florida Memorial 
University.
  A preeminent educator, Dr. Pinkston is affectionately known as 
``Marty'' to her countless admirers and is truly one of the most 
indomitable community activists of South Florida. Having dedicated a 
major portion of her life to making the public educational system work 
on behalf of Florida's minority and poor students, she has been 
relentless in developing innovative educational programs that 
succinctly responded to the needs of our community's underserved 
college student population. Responsible for developing strategies to 
secure additional resources for the university from local, state and 
federal sources, Dr. Pinkston was unrelenting in her dedication to 
providing quality education for all those willing to walk the extra 
mile in pursuing their college degree.
  Having received her bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University, 
she went on to obtain her MA in Business Education from New York 
Institute of Technology and her Doctorate in Education from Nova 
Southeastern University. She complimented her educational achievements 
with her chairmanship of the Metro-Miami Action Plan Trust and service 
on the United Way of Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Chamber of 
Commerce, as well as on the Metro-Dade County Safe Neighborhoods Parks 
Oversight Committee.
  Dr. Pinkston epitomizes an admirable spirit of compassion and her 
concern for the less fortunate in our society will forever be lauded. 
But she is more than that. Dr. Marty Pinkston is remarkable not just 
for her energy, achievements and leadership, but because of the kind of 
person that she is. People are naturally attracted to her. The day just 
goes better if you get the chance to spend some time with Marty 
Pinkston.
  As one of those hardy spirits who conscientiously chose to reach out 
to the less fortunate, Dr. Pinkston thoroughly understood how 
leadership could truly change people's lives. She wisely exercised her 
leadership and politic skills, alongside the mandate of her conviction 
and the wisdom of her knowledge. The crucial role she played all these 
years in developing the winning strategy for many a successful 
candidate for elective office evokes a genuine insight borne out of 
experience and expertise. She would often say that the accolades are 
not that important at all. Instead, she would note that what is 
important is that our community receives the recognition of its 
strength and promise amidst the tremendous challenges it has had to 
undertake all through the years.
  It is an honor to have the the privilege of knowing this gentle and 
caring leader. I salute Dr. Marty R. Pinkston, a very dear friend, on 
behalf of a grateful community that she truly loves and cares for. Now, 
in retirement, she embarks upon new challenges in life and I am certain 
her legacy of greatness will only grow and develop as she enters this 
new phase of life. I wish her every happiness and success.

                          ____________________