[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF MARVIN TURNER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2024

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Marvin Turner, who passed away on August 12, 2024. Marvin was a 
dedicated civil servant and worked tirelessly to make the District of 
Columbia the 51st state.
  Marvin was a native of Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating high 
school, Marvin joined Job Corps and then began his career fighting for 
the rights of workers and for fair housing in North Carolina and South 
Carolina with the Service Employees International Union.
  Marvin came to D.C. to work for the Washington Metropolitan Area 
Transit Authority. Soon after arriving in D.C., Marvin became a staffer 
for then-Mayor Sharon Pratt and then became a member of my staff. In 
2013, Marvin was appointed as a commissioner on the District of 
Columbia Sentencing and Criminal Code Revision Commission, where he 
worked with other commissioners and D.C. Councilmembers to revise 
sentencing guidelines and the criminal code.
  During his career, Marvin worked closely with Reverend Jesse Jackson 
as an advance staffer, as well as serving as the D.C. Statehood 
Coordinator for the National Rainbow Coalition. Marvin's work on the 
local and national levels ultimately led to him working for the 
Democratic National Committee's Office of the Secretary for nearly 20 
years.
  Marvin's work left an indelible mark on both D.C. and our Nation. I 
ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the incredible 
life and legacy of Marvin Turner.

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