[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11659]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO GWENDOLYN TOWNS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mrs. Gwendolyn 
Towns, a distinguished member of the Brooklyn community. It behooves us 
to pay tribute to this outstanding leader and I hope my colleagues will 
join me in recognizing her impressive accomplishments.
  Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns attended college in her home State of North 
Carolina where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early 
Childhood Education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technological 
State University. Later, she earned a masters degree in Guidance and 
Counseling from Brooklyn College, and obtained postgraduate credits 
from Pace University.
  She has advocated for quality education for children and adults 
through her work with several organizations including the Women's House 
of Detention and NYC Public Schools where she spent over 30 years 
training both students and teachers to fulfill their potential.
  Mrs. Towns continues her leadership and commitment to education 
issues as a member of various national and local committees. Her 
accomplishments include raising over $850,000 for undergraduate and 
graduate scholarships as chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus 
(CBC) Spouses Annual Golf and Tennis Tournament. In the 10th 
Congressional District, she administers the General Mills/CBC Spouses 
scholarship program, which provides financial resources to 
undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates pursuing careers in a 
health-related profession.
  Additionally, Mrs. Towns serves on the Board of Directors of the 
Brooklyn Children's Museum, and as President of the Interfaith Medical 
Center Auxiliary where she coordinates Toys for Tots and insures that 
each patient is remembered during the holiday season. As co-chair of 
the Interfaith Medical Center Foundation's annual fund raising ball, 
she is helping to ensure that the hospital continues to grow to meet 
the community's needs. Mrs. Towns is also affiliated with the NYC 
Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Concerned Women of Brooklyn, 
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Boys and Girls High School Women's Day (Women 
on the ``High''), Bridge Street Martin Luther King Day Award, Barber 
Scotia College, New Lots Lion Club, NAACP and Berean Missionary Baptist 
Church.
  Most importantly, she and her husband, Congressman Ed Towns, are the 
proud parents of two children: Assemblyman Darryl Towns and Deidra 
Towns Blount. They have five grandchildren: Kiara, Jasmine, Kristian, 
Trinity and Dale.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize 
the accomplishments of Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns as she offers her talents 
and philanthropic services for the betterment of our local and national 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Gwendolyn Towns' selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes her most 
worthy of our recognition today.

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