[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MRS. EGLANTINE MELITA GORDON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 1, 2010

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late 
Mrs. Eglantine Melita Gordon. It is with both profound sadness but also 
an enduring sense of gratitude that I recognize her for the tremendous 
inspiration she provided to both her church and community.
  Affectionately known as ``Mama G,'' Mrs. Gordon was born in 
Riverside, Hanover, Jamaica on November 26, 1916 to the late Jabez 
Buchanan and Florence Johnson. She attended Riverside All-Age School, 
Rusea's Comprehensive High School and Bethlehem Teachers College.
  Upon graduation, Mrs. Gordon began her professional career as a 
teacher at Riverside, Wesley, Elletson, and New Providence primary 
schools in Jamaica and William Gordon Elementary School in the Bahamas. 
She was also a private tutor.
  She was a member of the Meadowbrook United Church in Jamaica and 
served as an elder, member of the Women's Guild, and participated in 
the Social Services Outreach Program.
  In Miami, Florida, Mrs. Gordon was a member of Bay Shore Lutheran 
Church. She served as a greeter and member of the Lutheran Women 
Missionary League. She was the recipient of the Good Samaritan Award of 
Bay Shore Lutheran Church, which was awarded by the Lutheran Services 
of Florida.
  Mrs. Gordon was married to the late Rupert Carlton Gordon. They had 
three daughters: Yvonne Elaine Hill, Patricia Evadne Ferdinand and 
Rose-Marie Gordon-Wallace. She was blessed with a loving family who 
took pleasure in every aspect of her life and her interests. I offer my 
heartfelt condolences to her three daughters; sons-in-law, Tyrone Hill, 
Donald Ferdinand, Frederick Myers, and Roy Anthony Wallace; her 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, 
and friends.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and all the members of this esteemed 
legislative body to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and 
accomplishments of Mrs. Eglantine Melita Gordon. I am honored to pay 
tribute to Mrs. Gordon for her invaluable service and tireless 
dedication to both her church and local community. She will be missed 
by all who knew her, and I appreciate this opportunity to pay tribute 
to her before the United States House of Representatives.

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