[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8974]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO MARSHA T. DuPONT

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Marsha T. 
DuPont.
  Marsha was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Deacon Clyde Tarrant, Sr. and the 
Late Catherine Britt Tarrant. She is the only girl child out of three 
children born; her siblings are Clyde Tarrant Jr., and the Late Bruce 
Tarrant.
  She received her education from Public School 11 and Rothchild Junior 
High School both of Brooklyn, New York. Marsha received a scholarship 
from Fashion Industries Vocational High School, where she graduated 
valedictorian and Female Athlete of the Year, class of 1972. She 
continued her education attending and graduating from LaGuardia 
Community College and Fashion Institute of Technology where she majored 
in pattern making and fashion design. She later changed her career and 
attended and graduated from the Grace Downs Vocational Air Career and 
Hotel Management College in Glen Cove, Long Island. Marsha was employed 
by the Inter-Continental Hotel for 10 years as Reservations Manager. 
She changed employment to the Drake Swissotel Hotel in New York City 
where she also worked as Reservations Manager for 17 years. She 
received numerous awards and departmental training certificates and she 
was also cited as Employee of the Month and Manager of the Year. Marsha 
was loved and respected by her staff and fellow co-workers; she was 
always giving career opportunities to others.
  Marsha's love and flare for fashion and decorating encouraged her to 
form a company ``Duchess Unlimited'' where she worked as a Wedding 
Coordinator and coordinated anniversaries and other types of social 
events at cost.
  Marsha joined the Mt. Ollie Baptist Church in 1959 under the 
leadership of the late Rev. R.D. Brown. She sang in the Junior Choir, 
was an original member of the Buds of Promise, a member of the Junior 
Usher Board and later joined the Young Adult Choir. Rev. Brown 
appointed Marsha to the Senior Trustee Board to ``observe.'' She was 
the youngest female trustee. This was a major accomplishment for 
Marsha, for little did she know that God was preparing her for the 
future. In 1989 she was elected as the first female Chairperson of the 
Board and is still serving in that capacity today. She has given 20 
years of service to the trustee board.
  At present Marsha works as the Director of Housing/Food & Beverage 
for the Office of Conventions and Meetings for the National Baptist 
Convention USA, Inc. She was appointed to this position by the 
President of the Convention in 1995. She is a member of the religious 
Conference Management Association and Coalition of Black Meeting 
Planners. She is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women.
  Marsha began her work as a member of the Brooklyn District of the New 
York State Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. in the 
1970's under the leadership of Bishop Albert L. Jamison, Sr. as Chapter 
representative. Marsha gave great support and dedication to the late 
Brother Larry Brown and the late Minister Allen D. Jamison as Borough 
Presidents of the Brooklyn District. After their passing she then was 
appointed Borough President. The Brooklyn District took on new life and 
direction under her leadership.
  Marsha is also a Charter Member of the famous Tri-boro Mass Choir of 
which she credits the choir's annual prayer and fasting shut-in as her 
introduction to her spiritual growth and her enhancement to her 
personal relationship with God.
  Marsha was appointed by Bishop Jamison as his Executive Director to 
the Chairman of the Board for the Gospel Music Workshop of America, 
Inc. also she is the Administrative Assistant to the New York State 
Chapter.
  Her love for her church family and retired Pastor and his wife, Rev. 
Dr./Mrs. Spurgeon E. Crayton is consistently enthusiastic; the bond 
between them has always been a positive one.
  Her love and dedication for church work is untiring. Her motto: ``If 
I can help somebody as I pass along then my living shall not be in 
vain.''

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