[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING GLORIA CHESTNUT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Gloria Chestnut, a 
native of Washington, DC, whose lifelong dream was to further her 
education. However, she was faced with a critical decision, as she was 
a single mother, sole provider in her home and yet would have to learn 
to cope with the challenges of being a student with homework as well as 
being a full-time breadwinner. Yet she did just that, beginning her 
amazing journey at the age of 45.
  In 1988, Gloria did continue her educational dream by enrolling in 
Medgar Evers College and was still a liberal arts student there when 
she retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 27 years of service. She 
began an introspective search into what would ultimately be her true 
calling. After graduating with an associates degree from Medgar Evers 
College, she entered the Graduate Center CUNY B.A./B.S. program and 
began classes at Brooklyn College in 1995.
  It was there in 1997 during a class in the radio and television 
masters program, when a fellow classmate shared his experience with 
Brooklyn Community Access Television, BCAT, that she realized her 
future potential. Here she was, a 67-year-old mother, grandmother of 
seven, and a great-grandmother of two found a career in the arts 
through the venues of film, video, radio, and television. Gloria 
volunteers much of her time assisting producers with their productions 
as well as editing her own weekly show at BCAT. She produces weekly 
shows that reflect spirituality: ``Expressions of Faith'' and 
``Expressions of Faith Ministries'' are programs that explore faith and 
the healing power of prayer.
  Gloria Chestnut is a member of various organizations: GAMA, 
Grandmothers As Mothers Again; United Parents For Justice; Church Women 
United; JPAC, Jewish Association for Services for the Aged; NCNW, 
National Council of Negro Women; AARP Brooklyn Chapter #180; St. 
Gabriel and Ft. Greene Senior Centers; JASA, Institute for Senior 
Actions, as a former volunteer cameraperson for Jazz 966 and Jazzy 
Jazz. As an independent producer, Gloria has numerous productions to 
her credit: Aids in the Black Church; The Messiah Is Coming; The Real 
Life of Harriet Tubman; Malachi Roots Revisited; Mighty Men in the 
Bible; and many more.
  Madam Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to 
recognize the accomplishments of Gloria Chestnut as she offers her 
talents and services for the betterment of our community. Since 1999 
she has been rewarded the Hardy Smallwood Foundation Community Service 
Award, first place PEGASY Religious Import Award, third place in the 
Alliance for Community Media/Northeast Region Festival, Women's History 
Month Access Fund Award, Bethune Recognition Award for Loyal and 
Faithful Service, and the International Library of Photography Editor's 
Choice Award.
  Madam Speaker, Gloria Chestnut is a remarkable woman who demonstrates 
that she has reinvented the wheel as a senior citizen with a wonderful 
second career as a video producer.




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