[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E554-E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FATHER JOSEPH MARTIN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
the life of Father Joseph Martin, Jr. for his pioneering work in 
substance abuse rehabilitation.
  A native Baltimorean, Father Martin graduated from Loyola High School 
in 1942 and

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went on to attend Loyola College from 1942-1944. Father Martin began 
working part-time at St. Mary's Seminary his senior year of high school 
and while he was attending college, he felt the calling to enter the 
priesthood. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore 
in 1948.
  When it became apparent that Father Martin had a problem with 
alcohol, he entered the Guest House in Lake Orion, Michigan, an 
alcoholism treatment center and sanctuary for Catholic priests. He left 
the Guest House in 1959, returning to Baltimore to resume teaching at 
St. Charles College in Catonsville. He seized every opportunity to 
speak about alcoholism, captivating audiences with what became the 
``Chalk Talk on Alcohol.''
  In 1970, Father Martin reached out to Mae Abraham, a woman he met 
through A.A., and with the encouragement of her and her husband, he 
made the decision to work the field of recovery. He became a lecturer 
and educator in the Division of Alcohol Control for the State of 
Maryland, conducting seminars for doctors, lawyers, parole officers, 
and social workers. His quest to open a treatment center began and in 
1983 his dream came true with the opening of a facility in Havre de 
Grace, Maryland.
  For his leadership and devotion to the recovery of substance abuse, 
Father Martin earned several awards to include the Andrew White Medal 
from Loyola College, for his contributions to the general welfare of 
the citizenry of Maryland; Rutgers University's Summer School of 
Alcohol Studies' Distinguished Service Award (1988); and the Norman 
Vincent Peale Award (1992).
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the life of 
Father Joseph Martin, Jr. His legacy of hope and healing for those 
suffering from addiction will continue to carry on through his 
rehabilitation center.

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