[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23485]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO DR. EZELL PITTMAN AND THE RIDGEWOOD FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 2009

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Ridgewood Foundation and its longtime tour coordinator Dr. Ezell 
Pittman. This Foundation was established to enhance the lives of 
residents in the Ridgewood community--physically, educationally and 
economically. Over the years, however, it has earned a reputation as 
being much more.
  In 1990, the late Reverend Levi Chavous who was a good friend of mine 
and pastor of Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church for forty years 
founded the Ridgewood Foundation in consultation with Ms. Glenice 
Pearson. Their mission was to help better the communities that 
surrounded their church.
  The first challenge was to raise money for the Ridgewood Foundation. 
In 1993 Mrs. Deborah Breedlove, who served as the financial advisor, 
and the late Mrs. Mamie Floyd, a retired school teacher and community 
activist, organized a three-day trip to Potomac Mills in Virginia, the 
National Mall and the Frederick Douglas Museum in our Nation's Capital. 
The trip was such a resounding fundraising success that Dr. Ezell 
Pittman, a retired public servant, was enlisted to serve as the tour 
coordinator for the Foundation.
  Funds raised by the organization were used to provide introductory 
computer classes for seniors, a hypertension and diabetes program in 
the Ridgewood community, and scholarships for students graduating from 
Eau Claire High School. In the early years, the trips were promoted by 
asking the executive directors of the Aiken, Columbia and Florence 
Housing Authorities and the Columbia Urban League to sponsor youth to 
travel with the Foundation.
  Dr. Pittman took on his task of tour coordination with great zeal, 
and after the first Washington, DC area trip, subsequent four and 
seven-day trips were planned. Since 2001 four fundraising trips lasting 
fourteen days or longer benefitting the Ridgewood Foundation have been 
undertaken from coast to coast. Under Dr. Pittman's leadership, the 
Foundation has taken travelers to the 48 continental states, Eastern 
Canada and Mexico. The trips have included travelers from South 
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New York.
  After fifteen years and numerous trips, Dr. Pittman is relinquishing 
his position as tour coordinator for the Ridgewood Foundation. His 
service to the Foundation has been invaluable and his commitment over 
the last 15 years has been greatly appreciated.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our fellow colleagues join me in 
commending Dr. Ezell Pittman for his service to the community of 
Ridgewood and to the Foundation that helps support its quality of life. 
The Ridgewood Foundation will continue its good works, and its members 
will continue to follow the wonderful example set by Dr. Pittman.

                          ____________________