[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO GLORIA THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Gloria 
Thomas.
  Gloria Thomas was born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant section 
of Brooklyn, New York. She currently resides in the East New York 
community, where she has lived for 35 years. Ms. Thomas is a graduate 
of Manual Training High School and later attended New York Community 
College. She has a certificate in Advanced Church Ministries from the 
Evangelical Training Association.
  For over twenty years, Ms. Thomas worked as a payroll manager for 
Robert B. Samuels Electrical Contractors. She retired in 2000 and 
became a volunteer at the Penn Wortman Senior Center. On November 15, 
2002, she became the President of the Penn Wortman Voices and later 
served as the program committee chairperson as well (June 2004-2010). 
As part of her duties, Ms. Thomas coordinated programs to entertain, 
inspire, and empower seniors. She is currently President of the FGC 
Penn Wortman Voices, where she and other choir members sing songs of 
inspiration at various events.
  Ms. Thomas attends Universal Baptist Church where Reverend Dr. James 
R. Green, Jr. is the pastor. She has been a member of this church for 
over 20 years. Prior to her retirement, she served in the Food and 
Clothing Ministry, Celestial Choir and the Liturgical Dance Ministry. 
She is committed to securing a better quality of life for seniors. As a 
newly recruited board member of the East New York Council for the 
Aging, Inc., her primary goal is to continue to support the mission of 
providing adequate programs and services for seniors.
  Ms. Thomas was featured in ``Remembered Lives,'' Our Times Press, 
December 2005. On May 20, 2006, the East New York Interagency Council 
for the Aging honored Ms. Thomas for her outstanding service and 
commitment to seniors. She also received a Beacon of Hope Award on 
August 5, 2006, from the East New York United Concerned Citizens, Inc. 
for her contribution and diligent work in the East New York community.
  Ms. Thomas remains a committed member of the community. She still 
works closely with the New York Branch of the NAACP, the Local 3 IBEW 
Retirees Association (Brooklyn Chapter); and the East New York 
Interagency Council for the Aging. She thanks God for the energy and 
strength to continue her work in the community.
  Ms. Thomas has a daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Paul Gary. She 
also has a granddaughter, Imani Safiya Gary, whom she loves dearly.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life 
of Ms. Gloria Thomas.

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