[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING APRIL GREEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of my 
constituent, April Green.
  Born April Smith, Ms. Green was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia to 
Janet Smith Thomas on April 12, 1969. Raised by Janet and Daniel Thomas 
in Jacksonville, Florida, she was educated in the public school system, 
graduating from Sandlewood High School in 1987. Upon completion of high 
school she attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia 
where she majored in biology and played on the basketball team. April 
then enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, and shortly after enlisting was 
deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Storm, where 
she served in the Medivac Unit as a medical assistant.
  After serving her country and completing college at Georgia Southern 
she returned to Jacksonville, Florida and began a career in banking. 
After many years at Barnett Bank of Florida, reaching the position of 
Vice President of Loans, April was called upon to serve in a different 
capacity. In 2003 she was contacted by her pastor, Bishop Rudolph 
McKissick, Sr. to provide leadership in the role as the church 
administrator and chief financial officer. At Bethel Baptist 
Institutional Church, April oversees the day to day operation of the 
church staff, finances and development. Bethel is the oldest African 
American Church in the State of Florida with a membership of 
approximately 11,000.
  Always wanting to give back to the community and having a passion to 
assist kids with their quest to attend college and further their 
education, April started the Jacksonville Pistons, a non-profit 
organization that would accomplish that goal. She created a traveling 
basketball organization for boys and girls between the ages of 8-17 
with an emphasis on academic achievement and personal growth. To date 
she has mentored over 200 kids whom attended college.
  As she celebrates her 45th birthday, I speak for the entire Fifth 
District in thanking April Green for all her hard work serving the 
Jacksonville Community.

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