[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 117 (Monday, September 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MRS. MARY EDITH BROWN COLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincere 
respect that I congratulate Mrs. Mary Edith Brown Coleman as she is 
recognized by First Church of God in Gary, Indiana, for 73 years of 
continuous service to the church. Edith will be recognized for her 
lifetime of dedicated service on September 22, 2013 at First Church of 
God.
   Edith Brown was born on February 13, 1917 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She 
was one of four children born to Luther Albert Brown and Dora Rozolia 
Draper Brown. Having gone on to live in Kansas City, Kansas, and 
Chicago, Illinois, Edith finally relocated to Gary, Indiana, in 1940. 
Quite the accomplished student, Edith completed her Bachelor of Science 
and Master of Science degrees in education at Indiana University in 
Bloomington. From there, she decided to go into the teaching 
profession. As a teacher at Frederick Douglass Elementary School in 
Gary for over 27 years, Edith was able to enrich the lives of so many 
young people in the Gary community. For her commitment to the youth of 
Northwest Indiana, she is worthy of the highest praise.
   Equally impressive, Edith has always been seen as the foundation of 
her family. She and her husband, the late William Henry Coleman, were 
blessed with the births of two wonderful children: Norma Louise Coleman 
and the late Merle Jean Coleman. Edith's family, as well as the many 
people whose lives she has touched, admire her for devoting unselfish 
love, time, dedication, guidance, and spirit to her family, her 
students, her church, and her community.
   As well as being dearly loved and respected by her family, her 
students, and her community, Edith is also well known for her 
involvement with her church, First Church of God. Over the course of 
seventy-three years, Edith has taught Sunday School, been the director 
of the Daily Vacation Bible School, held memberships in the local and 
national Missionary Societies, sung in the church choir, created 
beautiful and meaningful bulletin board displays, served as a 
deaconess, and taught a manners class for young children.
   For years, Edith has also been a distinguished member of the 
American Association of University Women, the Women's Association of 
the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society, the Red Hat Society, and the 
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Since her arrival in Northwest Indiana, Edith 
has been known as a good-hearted woman who is always willing to help 
the people of her church and her community. For her selflessness, she 
is to be commended and admired.
   Mr. Speaker, Mary Edith Brown Coleman has given her time and efforts 
selflessly to her church and the community in Northwest Indiana 
throughout her illustrious life. She has taught every member of her 
family and extended family the true meaning of service to others. I 
respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me 
in commending Edith for her lifetime of service.

                          ____________________