[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 107 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING MARZIE THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2025

   Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a profound tribute to my 
longtime and respected Congressional District Director, Marzie Thomas, 
who passed on June 12. Marzie, as she was known to her family and 
friends, was an extremely talented administrator who cared for her 
community. She understood Tennessee's 9th Congressional District and 
did an outstanding job meeting my constituents' needs because of a deep 
familiarity with it and then as a 16-year newspaper professional and, 
in 2003, editor and publisher, for The Tri-State Defender, a Memphis-
based African American-focused newspaper founded in 1951. A native of 
Memphis, she was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and 
attended LeMoyne-Owen College. She married the late Alonzo Thomas in 
1976 and they have two daughters, Marthel Ellison and Richara Thomas, 
and a granddaughter, Madison Ellison. She served first as my special 
assistant for veterans' affairs and community outreach beginning in 
August 2007, became my Deputy District Director in 2009 and then 
District Director in 2013. A lifelong member of the historic East Trigg 
Avenue Baptist Church, where she was baptized, Marzie was also a fine 
soloist, famously singing ``God's Amazing Love'' among other tunes, in 
its choir until just months ago. A newspaper professional, a civic 
activist, a community organizer, a cherished church member, wife, 
mother, and grandmother--and a good friend. Marzie Thomas will be 
sorely missed.

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