[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5377]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                      A TRIBUTE TO YOLANDA MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Yolanda 
Martin, a native of the town of Puerto Annuelles in the beautiful and 
rich province of Chiriqui, in the Republic of Panama. I hope my 
colleagues will join me in recognizing her accomplishments.
  Ms. Martin migrated to the United States in 1981, and settled in 
Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Martin's story is similar to many of our 
Nation's proud immigrants. In 1999 through 2002, she founded three 
Child Care Services. Ms. Martin is the executive director and CEO of 
Minnie's Day Care Center, Parents United For A Better Day Care Centers 
No. 1 and No. 2, both of which operate 24 hours. All centers provide 
parents with day care services, an after school program, pre-
kindergarten classes, a summer program and overnight child care.
  Ms. Martin attended several colleges over the years and is a N.Y. 
State certified EMT, NY State certified AIDS and HIV educational 
instructor, an American Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructor.
  From 1982-1985, Ms. Martin worked for NY State with the mentally 
disabled, from 1985-1998, she worked for the NYS Division for Youth 
Corrections in facilities with incarcerated youth ages 14 to 18 years 
old. From 1991 to 1995, she worked with the NYC Department of Education 
as an integrating bilingual paraprofessional in special education. From 
1990 to 1995, Ms. Martin also worked as an Emergency Technician with 
Tri-Com Ambulance services.
  Ms. Martin is the proud mother of three beautiful children: Ronald 
(25) Kendra (18) Courtney (9) and an adopted daughter in Panama, Kiris 
(10). When she is not working with others in the community, Ms. Martin 
spends time with her children and family. She is known for her 
excellent cooking, baking and interior decorating skills. Ms. Martin's 
hobbies are the performing arts, modeling, and horseback riding. One of 
her short-term goals is to own her own horse and then a stable with a 
minimum of six horses is her long-term goal. Ms. Martin truly believes 
that the key to success is to do for others. Says Ms. Martin, ``the 
more you do, the more is returned to you,'' it is the rule of the 
Universe.
  Mr. Speaker, Yolanda Martin's selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes her most 
worthy of our recognition today.

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