[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16256]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF GLADYS BROWN McFARLANE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor Gladys Brown 
McFarlane, known to many as Sister Brown, as she turns 100. She is a 
remarkable woman for her devotion to her peers, community and country. 
I have known her personally since we both moved into the same building 
in Co-Op City in November 1971. She truly is a selfless woman who 
touches the lives of all whom she encounters.
  As a resident of Co-Op City for over 30 years, she continues to be 
active within the Co-Op City Baptist Church. Not only does she continue 
to attend services regularly, but she has also served as a Deaconess, 
Usher and a willing volunteer through her membership for over 25 years.
  She has also assisted others as an Inhalation Technician at Bellevue 
Hospital in New York City for over 20 years. If this wasn't enough, Ms. 
Brown served in the Medical Section of the United States Army starting 
in 1943 and was honorably discharged in September 1945. Clearly, the 
compassion that Gladys has for others has no boundaries.
  In her spare time, Gladys is a member of The American Legion, Co-Op 
City Post 1871 and also enjoys traveling. In her many years, she has 
traveled extensively. I am sure that those whom she has met in her 
travels and her comrades from the American Legion agree with me that 
the warmth and compassion she has is hard to come by.
  Her determination and strong work ethic are clearly inherent in 
Gladys' character as at the age of 14 she migrated from the Montego Bay 
in the British West Indies to the United States to live with an uncle 
residing in Harlem, New York. Today, she is the youngest and only 
living of four siblings. Despite this, her family still extends far as 
she has a host of nieces and nephews, legionnaires and comrades, 
friends, neighbors, acquaintances and everyday admirers.
  I am lucky to know Gladys and honored to come before you today on 
behalf of her 100th birthday. I firmly believe that I am a better 
person for knowing Gladys and believe that everyone who comes in 
contact with her feels the same way as well.

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