[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ERMA ROLLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Erma Jean 
Rolle, a passionate effective advocate for the needs of minorities, 
women and children. Moreover, we note her strong commitment to God, her 
family, her church and her community.
  Erma Jean Rolle was born in Little Rock, Arkansas moving to Milwaukee 
Wisconsin where she graduated from North Division High School. After 
graduation, she moved to New York with big dreams and goals to be 
accomplished. Erma joined the New Lots Community Church where she 
served as: an Elder; Clerk of the Consistory; President of the Women's 
Ministry; Youth Ministry Leader; member of the Women of Faith choir; 
Confirmation teacher; Vice-President of the Women's Brooklyn Classical 
Union; Music and Worship Committee; and a member of the Racial Justice 
Task Force.
  As a community activist, Erma has served on Community Board #5, Vice-
President of the Meadow Wood at Gateway Condominiums and Treasurer for 
the Jamaica Armory Gun Club. Moreover, she helped to organize and start 
the East New York Drum & Bugle Corps for sixty boys and girls. In 
addition, she was part of a committee that marched to stop domestic 
violence against women in the sixties and seventies.
  In 2001, Erma retired from the New York City Board of Education as a 
bus driver. In that same year, she celebrated another milestone--
graduating from the College of New Rochelle with a Bachelor of Science 
Degree in Psychology.
  Erma Jean Rolle is a role model for African-American families, 
especially hers. She has four children; Marshall, Cheryl, Fernanda, and 
Cassandra. She is also the proud grandmother of James, Kadrian, 
Brandon, and Kyran. In her leisure time, Erma enjoys going to the rifle 
range, shopping, bowling and traveling.
  Ms. Rolle lives a full and productive life gathering comfort from one 
of her favorite Biblical passages (Isaiah 40:31): ``But those who wait 
for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings 
like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not 
faint.''
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to cite Erma Jean Rolle for her invaluable 
contributions to the New Lots Community Church, her service to the 
community and her open-heartedness. Even today, she volunteers 
especially for causes that involve children, at the Johnny Ray 
Youngblood Academy.

                          ____________________