[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MARGARITA ``MARGIE'' NELSON IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2021

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I 
rise today to recognize Margarita ``Margie'' Nelson, whose dedication 
towards bettering Southern Florida and giving back to her community has 
had a significant impact on Florida's 25th Congressional district.
  Born in East Chicago, Indiana in 1958, Margie moved to Naples, 
Florida in the 1970s. It is here where she met her husband, Kevin, and 
together they have three children, Teresa, Sheri, and Billy. Margie 
began her long career with the Collier County Sheriff's office in 1970, 
where she worked for the Department of Investigations. While working 
and raising her family, Margie received her bachelor's degree in 
Business Administration from Hodges University. She continued her 
career with the Collier Sheriff's office until her retirement in 2014.
  Unable to stay away from serving her community, Margie returned to 
school and received her teaching certificate. Then, in 2016, she 
rejoined the workforce as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) 
teacher for the Hendry County public school system. Presently, Margie 
is the guidance counselor at LaBelle Middle School, where she uses her 
wisdom and experience to assist and support her students. Her 
commitment towards helping her students cannot be matched, and, if 
Margie wasn't busy enough, she is currently in the process of receiving 
her master's degree for school guidance counseling.
  Her passion for serving others is not limited to working with 
students, she is also an active volunteer in several organizations 
within her community. She is an integral member of a sewing group at 
the First Baptist Church of LaBelle, where she creates activity bags 
for her local children's hospital and participates in projects to help 
an orphanage in Guatemala. Additionally, she volunteers to acquire and 
assemble boxes for Operation Christmas Child, which provides gifts to 
needy children worldwide during Christmastime.
  Madam Speaker, as a lifelong public servant, Margie's commitment to 
giving back knows no bounds, and it is truly a privilege to know and 
work with her. Her determination to help others has never wavered, and 
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this outstanding 
individual.

                          ____________________