[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S4294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SISTER MARGARITA BREWER

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a 2015 Northern 
Kentucky University Lincoln Award recipient, my friend and a community 
leader, Sister Margarita M. Brewer.
  Sister Margarita has dedicated her life to serving the Latino 
community in Greater Cincinnati. Originally from Panama, Sister 
Margarita has taken an active role in programs assisting the 
underserved in her local community as well as in Central America.
  Sister Margarita founded the English Language Learning--ELL--
Foundation, Inc., in 2003 and continues to serve as its president, 
working with Cincinnati public schools to help English language 
learners become successful in their academic lives while fostering 
their cultural identities.
  I had the privilege of being one of Sister Margarita's ELL tutors 
while serving in the House of Representatives. I had to stop tutoring 
when I was appointed U.S. Trade Representative, but during my time as a 
tutor, I had the chance to see her good work in action. More recently, 
my wife Jane has worked as an ELL tutor and shares my admiration for 
Sister Margarita and her service. Jane was honored to receive the 
English Language Learning Foundation Tutor of the Year Award in 2014.
  In collaboration with Latino Programs and Services' English Language 
Learners Program at Northern Kentucky University, she also helped 
develop NKY's Fun with Science Camp, exposing students to all fields of 
science through hands-on learning activities.
  Additionally, Sister Margarita has been involved with the Crossroad 
Health Center, Family Service of Cincinnati, and Christian Community 
Health Services.
  I join the community in congratulating Sister Margarita, who has 
served the people of Greater Cincinnati and Ohio with distinction.

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