[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING LIVING LEGENDS TORCH BEARERS' AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2011

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor twelve members of the 
South Jersey community who received awards at the Living Legends Torch 
Bearers' Awards Program. These leaders of the African-American 
community dedicated years of educational, cultural, and religious 
service to South Jersey. Assemblyman Gilbert ``Whip'' Wilson, Bryson C. 
Armstead, Spencer Moore, Joyce Gilchrist-Pierce, Ruben Britt Jr., 
Beverly Collins-Roberts, Martha Chavis, Claudia Cream, Dr. Stella 
Horton, Dr. Ralph Hunter, Wilbert Mitchell, and Rev. John O. Parker Jr. 
deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the 
South Jersey community.
  Assemblyman Gilbert ``Whip'' Wilson is a lifelong resident of Camden 
County and has dedicated his life to service, first in the Air Force, 
where he was awarded with several medals. He then served as a member of 
the Camden Police Department and rose to the rank of lieutenant. After 
his retirement, he was on the Camden City Council, until he was 
appointed to the New Jersey Assembly.
  Two other honorees were also veterans. Bryson C. Armstead served in 
the Navy during World War II. He was a driving force behind the 
restoration of the Mount Peace Cemetery, and its placement on the State 
and National Registers of Historic Places. Spencer Moore served in 
World War II as was a member of the 92nd Infantry Division. He saw 
combat in Italy and received a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the 
Combat Infantry Badge.
  The other individuals that were honored with awards were: Joyce 
Gilchrist-Pierce, first female mayor of Camden; Ruben Britt Jr., author 
and current Assistant Director of Career and Academic Planning at Rowan 
University; Beverly Collins-Roberts, award-winning photographer, 
filmmaker and historian; Martha Chavis, a community leader and adjunct 
professor at several colleges; Claudia Cream, principal of Parkside 
Elementary school in Camden; Dr. Stella Horton, executive director of 
the Camden Center for Youth Development; historian Dr. Ralph Hunter, 
founder of the African American Heritage Museum in Newtonville; Wilbert 
Mitchell, executive director of RESPOND, a Camden-based educational and 
social services organization; and Rev. John O. Parker Jr., Pastor of 
Camden's Antioch Baptist Church.
  Mr. Speaker, the commitment of these individuals to the South Jersey 
community should not go unrecognized. I express my deepest appreciation 
for their dedication and unwavering service.

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