[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 27 (Friday, February 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF ANN PORTER FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 17, 2012

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and accomplishments of Mrs. Ann R. Porter and to acknowledge her 
contributions to education, social progress, and the Tampa Bay 
community.
  Mrs. Porter, a product of Hillsborough County Public Schools, 
attended Tampa's Middleton and Blake Senior High Schools and graduated 
from the University of South Florida. After graduating from USF with a 
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Mrs. Porter continued her 
studies at Nova Southeastern earning a Master of Science in Human 
Services and a Master's certification in Business and Entrepreneurship.
  After returning to Tampa Mrs. Porter began her career as an 
administrative secretary of the Tampa Urban League. During the War on 
Poverty years, Mrs. Porter started her career as one of Hillsborough 
County's first Social Service Planners at the Tampa Economic 
Opportunity Council, which became the Community Action Agency of 
Hillsborough County. As a Social Service Planner, Mrs. Porter was 
responsible for writing federal and state programs favorable to the 
Tampa Bay community. She was also the first Head Start director under 
the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners. On January 1, 2000, 
after 32 years of holding a variety of positions under the Hillsborough 
County Administrator's Office, Mrs. Porter retired.
  Since retirement Mrs. Porter has kept busy by volunteering throughout 
Tampa Bay. She served as President of the Tampa Urban League Guild and 
coordinated its first youth group. Shortly after, she was appointed as 
a Commissioner of the Tampa Housing Authority by the Mayor of Tampa. 
However, a majority of Mrs. Porter's volunteer time has been with the 
NAACP. During Mrs. Porter's time with the NAACP's Tampa branch she 
served in every official capacity, including the president. After 
working to merge Hillsborough County's Tampa and Plant City branches, 
Mrs. Porter became the first president of the NAACP's combined 
Hillsborough County branch. Proudly, she is a founder of the 
Hillsborough County Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund and the Robert 
W. Saunders Library Foundation Board, Inc.
  Currently, Mrs. Porter, a mother of four children, one son, three 
daughters and six grandchildren, serves in several capacities including 
membership on the City of Tampa's Community Development Corporation, 
Head Start Community Foundation Board, and the Commission on the Status 
of Women. Mrs. Porter is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 
and serves as AKA Connection Chairman in the Gamma Theta Omega Chapter.
  Moreover, Mrs. Porter was a member of the Greater New Salem Primitive 
Baptist Church for more than 60 years and served in various capacities. 
She is a member of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church where she serves 
in several capacities including the Chairlady of the Mother's Board 
Ministry.
  Ann Porter is a tremendous role model for our youth and an 
inspiration to our community. She selflessly devoted her life to others 
and not only helped numerous individuals, she helped an entire 
community. That is why I rise today to honor Ann Porter.

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