[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO MARGE THOMAS

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I honor Marge Thomas, who is 
retiring as the president and chief executive officer of Goodwill 
Industries of the Chesapeake. Ms. Thomas began her career with Goodwill 
in Milwaukee in 1974 and rose to become the first woman executive in 
the enterprise to win a national Goodwill Industries leadership award, 
to go along with Outstanding Management and Distinguished Career 
Awards.
  Ms. Thomas took over Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake in 1994 
and transformed the agency into one of Baltimore's largest nonprofit 
organizations during her nearly 18-year tenure. When she joined 
Goodwill Chesapeake in 1994, the agency served 453 people, operated 17 
stores, and had total revenues of $8 million. Today, it serves more 
than 17,000 people, and the organization has expanded to include nine 
training sites and 26 retail stores, and it has government contracts 
throughout the greater Baltimore region and the Eastern Shore. Total 
revenues have grown to $40 million, with nearly $30 million generated 
through the agency's retail operations. Her accomplishments include 
expanding Goodwill services to provide a variety of training and 
employment needs for individuals who have mental and physical 
disabilities, including those needing public assistance, and those who 
have criminal backgrounds or face other employment challenges.
  Congress would do well to learn from Ms. Thomas, who has found ways 
during these trying economic times to create jobs, train employees, and 
increase revenues. She has offered a helping hand and, more important, 
hope to many people struggling to climb onto the first rung of the 
economic ladder. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Ms. Thomas 
for a job well done; for her lifelong commitment to public service and 
for her many outstanding contributions in helping the less fortunate 
among us. She has made a positive difference in so many people's lives. 
I know her future plans include some travel, attending some classes at 
Anne Arundel Community College, and serving as a mentor to women 
nonprofit executives. Please join me in sending best wishes to Marge 
Thomas for a happy, productive, and well-
deserved retirement.

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