Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. I would like to recognize the gentleman from Virginia, Glenn Nye, for 1 minute.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Congressman Connolly from the great State of Virginia.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, I am pleased to bring to the floor H.R. 1804, the Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009. The bill modernizes the Thrift Savings Plan, the retirement savings plan for Federal employees. The legislation includes several other important retirement reforms for Federal employees and members of the Armed Forces. This bill enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the last Congress when it passed the House as H.R. 1108. Two weeks ago, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee again considered and reported favorably the current language of this bill. I am pleased that the bill makes further progress in ending the military family tax which unfairly penalizes the survivors of those who died in service or as a result of their service- connected injuries. As Chairman Skelton will explain, this bill increases the monthly amounts paid to surviving spouses who are denied the full amount of their annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Our enhancement to the TSP program also will benefit military members and their families. The Federal Employee Thrift Savings Plan is one of the best retirement savings programs in the Nation. The plan runs with very low cost and is a model for both the private sector and other governments. The bill we are considering today will strengthen and modernize the TSP. At the suggestion of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the bill provides for automatic enrollment in TSP for new Federal civilian employees. Employees have the opportunity to choose whether to enroll or not, but for those who do not make any decision enrollment would be the default. The decision on automatic enrollment for members of the uniformed services is at the discretion of the Secretaries of the military departments. The bill would also provide a Roth contribution option for TSP. With a Roth option, employee contributions are made after taxes are deducted, and the employee does not pay taxes on the fund upon withdrawal. This option is currently available in many private sector retirement plans today. The bill also includes a provision to allow employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System to receive credit for unused sick leave towards their retirement annuity, as is currently the case for employees covered by the older Civil Service Retirement System. The committee also adopted amendments to make it easier for former employees to reinstate their retirement credits if they return to Federal service, and to work part-time at the end of their career. I want to recognize the Federal Workforce Subcommittee chairman, Mr. Lynch, who has worked really hard on this, and for his work on these issues and the bill. I would also like to thank Representative Norton, Representative Van Hollen, and Representative Connolly for their thoughtful amendments that improve the bill. I would like to thank the Oversight Committee ranking member, Mr. Issa of California, for his amendments that strengthen the legislation as it relates to members of the uniformed services. Thank you for your input. Finally, I would like to thank Chairman Skelton and the Armed Services Committee for their contribution to this bill that will provide better financial protection to the families of our military men and women. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to Congresswoman Carol Shea- Porter from New Hampshire.

Mr. TOWNS. At this time I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the Congresswoman from Washington, D.C., Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Mr. TOWNS. I recognize the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for 3 minutes, the person who has worked really hard on this and has done a fantastic job. And of course, when it comes to the military and military personnel, he is always there doing the right thing.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee on Armed Services, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Solomon Ortiz.

Mr. TOWNS. I'd like to reserve the time to close.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Tracye Rawls-Martin. Tracye Rawls-Martin, proud daughter of Henry Sr. and Shirley M. Rawls, wife of Arnold V ``Woody'' Martin, stepmother to Britt'ney D. Clarence and ``Nana T'' to Woody's oldest daughters' son, Charles Lovell 3rd. Tracye Rawls-Martin, MS ATC is a Certified Athletic Trainer and one of 5 African American Athletic Training Education Program Directors in the United States. She is ``mother,'' advisor and professor to more than 16 Athletic Training Students within the BS/MS Degree Program in Athletic Training & Sports Sciences at Long Island University Brooklyn Campus. She began her academic career as a Dance Education major and progressed to a Pre-Physical Therapy major and finally fell in love with an Athletic Training major. After completing two semesters in the Pre-Physical Therapy program at Kingsborough Community College, she decided it was time to move on to a more exciting and productive field--the field of Athletic Training and Sports Sciences. The field of Athletic Trainers was made for her because it is designed for Health Care Professionals who specialize in prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active. All Certified Athletic Trainers must have at least a bachelor's degree in athletic training, which is an allied health profession, must pass a comprehensive exam before earning the ATC credential, must keep knowledge and skills current by participating in continuing education and must adhere to standards of professional practice set by a national certifying agency. The combination of dance education & athletic performance was a winning combination for her personality because she loves helping people, teaching, watching and participating in sports. In addition to nurturing her students through academic requirements for the program, she has had the honor and privilege of working with over 1000 athletes worldwide; high school, junior college, division one collegiate athletes, semiprofessional and professional. Her current responsibilities as Director of Athletic Training Education Programs at Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus include teaching (18 credit hours teaching a variety of sports medicine topics which include risk management, injury prevention, orthopedic examination & diagnosis, medical conditions and disabilities, acute care of injuries and illnesses, therapeutic modalities, conditioning, rehabilitation exercise and pharmacology, psychosocial intervention and referral, nutritional aspect of injuries and illnesses and health care administration), administrative (direct and administer BS/MS Degree Program and Advanced Master's Degree program in Athletic Training and Sports Sciences, maintain guidelines and standards set forth by the accrediting agency, work with the Clinical Coordinator to establish and maintain affiliations, conduct and publish research/ scholarly activities in areas of expertise, advise students, develop and implement internal/external marketing strategies for the Athletic Training Education Programs, assist in the recruitment of faculty, continue to encourage good citizenship and professional conduct among all students and faculty so as to promote the best interest of athletic trainers, maintain continuing education credits, participate/coordinate and conduct committees within the Division, School of health Professions, the University and the Brooklyn Committee), service (active member with the local, regional and national athletic training organizations, Athletic Training Students Club/Members and Faculty noted on national website, Instructor for American Heart Association, Book Reviewer for Lippincott Williams and Wilkin publishing company, participant in several health events for children, i.e. TEAM L.I.U- Teenagers Educated About Asthma Management). In addition, Tracye Rawls-Martin is an entrepreneur and a top executive for one of the world's largest direct selling telecommunications providers. On a part time basis she has reached the first earned executive position in the company. She is well on her way to helping hundreds and thousands of individuals achieve financial freedom and continue to live out their life long dreams whether it is to have more time with their families or to explore the beaches of the world. Tracye will continue to pursue her passions and would like to contribute her success to the Lord, her family and her students. She will not rest until she has fulfilled her life's long mission--to take care of children of all ages, to feed them, clothe them, teach them and love them; in the end to develop a place they can call home and a place they can always return to a ``University for Children.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Humena Bute, an educator and youth advocate. Ms. Humena Bute worked for the NYC Department of Education from 1970 until her early retirement in 1995. While employed with the Department of Education she advanced to Special Education Records Manager in School District 19. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Human Services from Empire State College in 1997. She applied for and received a per-diem substitute teacher certificate in 1998, and has worked in various NYC schools in Brooklyn to present. In 2000, Ms. Bute became a member of the Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club Inc (NANBPWC). She became a Life Member in 2005. During the past eight years Ms. Bute has held the office of Recording Secretary, Vice President (Membership Chair) and has voluntarily served on the Battered Women's Shelter project, the Thanksgiving Basket Committee and the Founders Day Celebration Committees from 2003-2005. Ms. Bute received an Appreciation Award from The Brooklyn Club president in 2002. In 2007 Ms. Bute received the Membership Chair of the Year Award from National Director of Membership of NANBPWC Inc. She has recently been appointed to serve as Membership Director of the Northeast District of NANBPWC Inc. From 1997 to 2000 Ms. Bute was given the opportunity to work with at- risk youths as an Educational Specialist for Mental Health Juvenile Justice Diversion project in Brooklyn N.Y. She was also a recruiter for Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program in various High Schools in Brooklyn N.Y. In 2004, Ms. Bute became a member of the Stuyvesant Heights Lions Club and in 2006 she received the Lion of the Year award from the club president. In 2007 Ms. Bute was nominated as Club President and still holds that title to this day. She is also a Board Member of the Bridge Street Child Development Day Care in Brooklyn NY. Ms. Bute has recently joined the American College of Counselors. Ms. Bute is a mother of two children, Felicia Allen and the late Gregory Bute and three loving grandchildren Jason Allen, Geninne Allen and Shanay Bute. Ms. Bute regards her many accomplishments and children as gifts from God.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Linda Bradley, a champion of Nursing and health and wellness promotion. Linda Bradley was born in Brooklyn, New York to Lola Balance and the late Jerry Balance. Linda is the oldest of four siblings, her brother and sisters are Denise, Michelle and Jerry, Jr. She is wife of Calvin Bradley, mother of four children Nicole, Calvin III, Michael and Johnathan and grandmother of Amir. Linda was always a curious child and now is very active in her community. After graduation from Canarsie H.S., Linda indulged her desire for inquiry and obtained a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology in Applied Science from N.Y.C Community College. Linda went on to obtain an A.A.S. and a B.S.N. in Nursing. Linda continued her education and earned a dual degree; she earned a Master's of Science in Nursing and a Masters of Public Health and received the Outstanding Community Leadership Award from Hunter College. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society, American Public Health Association and Public Health Association of NYC. She held P.T.A. positions in her children's school, is an active member of A.C.O.R.N. and was one of three women who were instrumental in the development of a Kwanzaa community event. She has held positions as Director of Nursing at a licensed agency, Patient Service Manager at Hillside Manor LTHHCP and a staff nurse and then a community outreach nurse for St. Johns Episcopal Hospital. Linda currently works at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York Lombardi Program as a Manager of Clinical Support Services in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. Linda has been an NYU adjunct clinical faculty for the clinical rotation in the Community Health course since 2007. Linda has dedicated her life to nursing, health and wellness which shows through her professional and community activities. Linda believes that through faith in God and healthy choices people can prevent a multitude of diseases. In her promotion of the profession of nursing, and belief that there are young, intelligent and vibrant minds within her community, she has participated in a community career day, appeared on a Brooklyn cable show and mentored two young women who are now R.N.'s. Linda is the current Health Ministry Director at Solid Rock S.D.A. church, who promotes ongoing health emphasis activities. Linda has assisted in the administration of NIH/Loma Linda Health Study II surveys from 2004-2007 at Solid Rock Church. She has taught as a Sabbath School teacher in the youth division for more than 20 years and is active with the Adventurer's and youth at the church and in the community. Linda believes that she is a living testimony of God's blessing and healing power and is very committed to nurturing the spirit, mind and body of every person she comes in contact with. Linda believes in excellence and that knowledge is power and whatever knowledge she has is to be shared. Linda has often described the essence of her being as ``one who shares'' in every aspect of her life.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lottie Dobson-Shannon. Lottie Dobson-Shannon is an educator with the Department of Education, Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy. She was born in North Carolina and moved to New York at the age of nine. She was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in Brooklyn, New York. Shannon began her career in 1972 at the Department of Education and worked her way to a management position. In 1987, she became the Project Director of the New York City Board of Education Mentoring Program, where she is still a mentor in the Women in Government Mentoring Program. She involved corporate, government, and cultural institutions in mentoring young high school students throughout New York City. The program thrived under her leadership and became the prototype for Matilda Cuomo's statewide mentoring program. In 1990, Shannon became the Executive Director for the Parent Advocacy Center of Medgar Evers College. She coordinated staff, raised funds and developed and conducted an award winning Parent Training Institute that was directed at teaching parents skills in advocating for their children in the city public schools. The program received recognition throughout the state, and from the former Commissioner Tom Sobol, New York State Education Department. The Parent Training Institute became a model for the development of parent participation in programs in Mount Vernon and Hempstead New York. Shannon returned to the Department of Education in 1996 as the Borough Deputy to the Chancellor (Rudy Crews). She was responsible for the development and implementation of projects and assisting the Superintendents and Principals in obtaining resources for their schools. In 2002, Shannon became the Parent Support Officer for District 17, Region 6 where she empowered parents, trained them in how to advocate for their children, and to learn how to navigate the school system. In 2007, Shannon became the District Family Advocate for District 22, where she continues to empower parents to become parent leaders and partners in their children's education. She also conducts professional development trainings, seminars and conferences that will develop the skills of the parents to become successful leaders in their schools. Shannon is also the host/producer of the award winning show, ``Keeping It Real with Shannon'', a talk show and entertainment that began in 1998. The show has aired on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT) and various networks for ten years. ``Keeping it Real With Shannon'' reflects on a wide variety of topics such as Domestic Violence, Police Brutality, Education, Male/Female Relationships, Health and Community issues. The show addresses the issues of the growing community and promotes local artists as well as professional artists. Past guests have included Terrie M. Williams, Publicist/ Author, Bad Boy Michael Baisden, KISS FM Radio Personality Dominic Carter, NY1 News Reporter Colleen Babb and Frank Laghezza from the District Attorneys' office, legendary R&B singers the late Isaac Hayes and Maxine Brown, Baby Washington, The Ink Spots and renowned gospel singer Vicki Winan. ``Keeping it Real With Shannon'' is the 2002 winner of the National Hometown Video Festival Award. It won first place for best in public access programming for talk show and entertainment. She was recognized for her award winning show with a Proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Mary Markowitz. Shannon personifies the qualities of intelligence, endurance, compassion, and a strong faith that characterize black foremothers who held the family, church, and community together through all adversities. Shannon is a woman of distinction who has accomplished great professional and educational victories, while maintaining a household and rearing a daughter who is a graduate of Morgan State University. She strongly believes that Christian fellowship should be practiced in all aspects of life. Shannon attended college and obtained three degrees, including a Masters. Shannon served on the Board of Directors for several Corporate and Community Based Organizations. She has won numerous awards and citations from national and local organizations including being recognized by DA Charles Hynes, the Brooklyn Borough President and NYS Governor Mario Cuomo. She was featured on (ABC) ``Like it Is'' with Gil Nobles, ``Metro Magazine'' (WYNE), ``The Hotline Show'' (Channel 31), ``McCreary Report'' (Channel 5), Fox 5-Dayside with Linda Vester and in the publications Caribbean Life, Daily News, Brooklyn Paper, New York Newsday and Medgar Evers Radio Station.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cynthia Cummings, Executive Director of Community Parents, Inc. and community activist. Cynthia Cummings is the Executive Director of Community Parents, Inc. (CPI), a non-profit community based organization, serving 275 children and families in Bedford Stuyvesant and Far Rockaway. Additionally, she presides over the Administration for Children's Services Head Start Training Institute at Berean Baptist Church, offering professional, career and credential programs. Continuing accomplishments include securing and renovating a permanent facility in Far Rockaway. Immediately following completion of her degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Cornell University in 1975, Ms. Cummings begun her career as the Teacher/Director of Moravian Head Start in Harlem, where she developed her administrative skills operating the program now known as Arthur and Thelma Adair Community Centers. She decided to pursue her studies further at New York University in Community Health Education as she worked at SUNY Health Science Center on the National Study on Sickle Cell Disease. Her interest and work in the health industry resulted in her being included in several research publications. She maintained an important connection with her community as chairperson of Community Parents Head Start, while then employed at Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield. In 1991, her predecessor passed the torch and Ms. Cummings relinquished the chair of CPI to assume the role of Executive Director. The program grew under her leadership, achieving the NAEYC accreditation and expanding its services into Far Rockaway, Queens. Concurrently, Ms. Cummings has spearheaded many partnerships to improve quality and to enhance services for Head Start children and families. CPI was selected as a promising practices site for the National Head Start Family Literacy Project and was featured in Newsweek Magazine. The organization was featured as one of 14 programs selected by the Administration for Children's Services New York City Head Start Best Practices sites. Most recently, in collaboration with Bank Street College, the agency was selected as an Emotionally Responsive Practices site for continued research on best practices. Among her professional affiliations are, chairperson of DC 1707 Local 85 Head Start Employees Welfare Fund, representing the interests of approximately 3,000 members. She also is a trustee of The Head Start Management Welfare Fund. Additionally, she is an active member of the National, Regional and State Head Start Associations contributing to the development of their respective annual training conferences. Locally, she is Board member of Brooklyn Kindergarten Society and remains active in the Cornell Black Alumni Association and involved in the Decatur-Stuyvesant Block Association. You often will see Cynthia greeting you at the door during the annual Brownstoner's of Bedford- Stuyvesant house tour. Cynthia has testified before the General Health and Welfare Committee of the New York City Council and was a panelist for the Citizen's Committee on welfare reform. She has presented at The National Center for Family Literacy Conference and at the National Association for the Education of Young Children on the Importance of Family Literacy. As a Johnson and Johnson Management Fellow, she continues her study of organizational management annually at the Anderson School of Business at UCLA. She also continues her activism as a participant in the CORO Leadership NY program. She is the recipient of Councilmember Annette Robinson's Spirited Leadership Award, was honored by the Mid-Bedford Heights Lions Club and Vanguard Independent Democratic Association and received a proclamation from Councilmember Albert Vann for her civic efforts. An avid horticulturist, one often will see her lovingly tending to her home gardens. Her creative, artistic expression further is nurtured through dance training and performing with Mo' Jazz, a blithe troupe of athletic and creative women over, let's say, forty. Cynthia is married to her soul mate, Richard Cummings, a pianist and composer, and she remains blessed to have in her life, her mother, Ellen Lewis, who recently celebrated her 99th birthday. Representing the ascending generation are her two daughters, Diarra, a Columbia University graduate, following professional ballet and modern dance associations, and Imani a graduate of The University of Tampa, who now resides in sunny California currently pursuing a second career in acupuncture.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Natalie Addison, the Assistant Manager of Collections at Starrett City and resident of Brooklyn. Natalie, a native of Queens, was raised in the Queensbridge Housing Projects. She attended and graduated, with a concentration in business subjects, from Washington Irving High School in Manhattan. Pursuing her interest in the field of business after high school graduation, Natalie excelled at the Berk Business School. Natalie was a high achiever who graduated with the honor of Valedictorian for Accounting and Business Management. Continuing to advance on her employment path, Natalie worked for the Equitable Life Insurance Company. Always interested to expand the application of her knowledge, she transferred to the New York City Board of Education and was assigned to the Community District 19 office located in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Currently, Natalie is employed by Starrett City at Spring Creek. As the Assistant Manager of Collections, Natalie interacts daily with Starrett's legal department. And when life appears to throw tenants a financial curve ball, Natalie's ability to aide people with finding a method of paying their rent becomes paramount. Her compassion and concern for her constituents demonstrated though her patience and efforts on their behalf immediately make the tenants realize the necessity to become more responsible for the well-being of their families. She makes an official matter understandable by providing a caring voice. As the ``First Lady'' of the Alpha Riders MC, Inc., located in East New York, Natalie was challenged by a motorcycle accident that left her seriously injured and hospitalized for four months. She attributes her rapid recovery to God and a dedicated staff at the Wartburg Lutheran Home For The Aging, where she and the Alpha Riders still today volunteer their time each month to others in need of love and assistance. Natalie has been married to Barry ``Mr. B'' Addison for thirty-one years and they are the proud parents of Ebony, Barry II and very proud grandparents of Lil Andre.

Mr. TOWNS

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.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Carmen Lourdes Martinez, Director of the Community Action Center in the Office of the New York City Comptroller. Carmen was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; she immigrated to Brooklyn, New York at the age of eight and is a product of the New York City public school system. She is a graduate of the City University of New York, having obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Medgar Evers College and continued her graduate studies in Public Administration at Brooklyn College. Carmen is currently Director of the Community Action Center in the Office of New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. Since joining the office on May 18, 1992, Carmen has rendered service to over 87,000 constituents, run the Comptroller's Foreclosure Intervention Hotline, and served as Management Co-Chair of the Comptroller's Quality of Work Life, Employees Recognition Committee. Carmen's many personal awards and recognitions include: Aegis Society, Inc. The Federation of African-American Civil Service Organizations, Inc. Merit Award; National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Distinguished Alumni Award; Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. 21st Century Visionary Award; Brooklyn Borough President Outstanding Achievement Award; Bedford Stuyvesant Community Legal Services Corporation Outreach Self- Help Program Valedictorian and Outstanding Scholarship Award. Outside of work, Carmen volunteers her time to grassroots activities designed to advance the community. She is a Charter Member and a member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Metropolis Lions Club; a Charter Member and former member of the Board of Directors of the Central Brooklyn Federal Credit Union; Former Member of the Board of Directors of the Central Brooklyn Partnership; participant in the New York City Department of Education's Kids and the Power of Work Program and volunteers as a judge for the New York City Working in Support of Education, Quality of Life Program. Recently Carmen completed her third term as President of the Alumni Association of Medgar Evers College. Carmen reared three children as a single mother, Grace M. Benjamin, Harry ``Jamie'' Martinez-Benjamin and Xiomara L. Maloney and is the proud grandmother of three.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rosemarie Armstead-Lowery, educator and community activist. Rosemarie Armstead-Lowery has always been a child of her community. Community has shielded her, nurtured her, and allowed her the freedom to be herself in a world where the expectations of others often times limit one's horizon. The major influences of her life have been family and Church and they, in that order, are responsible for much of who she has become. For the last sixty of her seventy years, she has found her niche in serving that community that has nurtured her. She has been teaching the youngsters of her community for almost fifty years. Rosemarie has been a Day Care director at the Horace E. Greene Day Care Center in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn at a time of transition for child care. She implemented a change in school-age programming which made her center one of the model programs for city wide school-age programs. After her directorship in daycare, Ms. Lowery returned to the classroom in the public school where she spent the next 12 years nurturing the students in her care at P. 335 in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. She considered her job to be a facilitator, one who made learning both possible and enjoyable. It was her responsibility to show youngsters that learning was fun and that they could soar beyond their wildest dreams if they were willing to put forth the effort. Rosemarie was judged a nonconformist by some of her peers because of her unorthodox methods for reaching her students, but in the end the success of her students was her vindication. In 1988, Ms. Lowery decided to embark on a venture of her own and opened The Learning Center of Bedford Stuyvesant in a brownstone in Bedford Stuyvesant. The independent school was in response to the desire of parents for an alternative to the public school. The individualization of the learning process for each student was its strength. The program was based on an eleven month curriculum where travel was an important component. The students were encouraged to study and become part of the culture they visited. They have traveled to Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Virginia and around the local tri-state area. Unfortunately, the Learning Center closed at the end of its twentieth year because Ms. Lowery has turned yet another page. In the summer of 2007, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens created a new tri-Church configuration by combining the parishes of Holy Rosary, our Lady of Victory, and St. Peter Claver into a new tri- church Parish called St. Martin de Porres. Ms Lowery was hired as the Temporalities Manager. Her function is to act as a business manager of the newly formed Parish. She is currently responsible for the fiscal and temporal care of the Parish and its facilities. Times change, and circumstances along with them, but the opportunity to meet life head-on continues to present itself each day and for this she is eternally grateful.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Barbara Nicole Howard, a Health Department Representative and distinguished public servant. Barbara Howard is a Health Department Representative for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Public Health Detailing Program. The Public Health Detailing Program works with primary health care providers to improve patient care around key public health challenges in the areas of NYC with healthcare disparities. Ms. Howard provides medical providers with clinical tools and patient education materials via one-on-one relationships to improve health outcomes in the community. Barbara Nicole Howard was born in the Bronx, New York to Henry and Barbara Howard. The family moved to Staten Island shortly thereafter due to the need for a larger apartment and the 1970's housing shortage. Through the years, she volunteered at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, HIV/AIDS programs, special needs children's organizations, and hospitals; developing a heart for servicing the community. Ms. Howard obtained a Bachelor's of Art Degree in Sociology and a minor in Urban Affairs from Hunter College. After completing her studies, she worked in Brooklyn for the Legal Aid Society as a Forensic Social Work Assistant finding alternatives to incarceration for clients. She was then afforded the opportunity to work with the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation's Discharge Planning Program at Riker's Island for the mentally ill population as a Discharge Planner. She also had several promotions and worked as Supervisor of Discharge Planning / Community Liason. Ms. Howard enrolled in Baruch College's Executive Master of Public Administration program. Afterwards, Ms. Howard recommitted to public service as Provider Liason for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Early Intervention Program. After three years with the Early Intervention Program, Ms. Howard devoted herself to public health and began to work with the Public Health Detailing Program. Although, she continues to live in Staten Island, Ms. Howard has made Brooklyn her second home. She works, worships, and has many friends within Brooklyn. Ms. Howard is currently an active member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in downtown Brooklyn.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Vanessa Hughes. Vanessa Hughes was born August 17, 1959 to Rose and Leonard Reid Sr. She is the middle of five children and has two surviving brothers, Jeffrey and Bruce, one sister Shelissa, and a deceased brother Leonard Jr. Ms. Hughes attended neighboring schools, P.S. 260 and JHS 211. She has worked to support her community throughout her life. Known for her energy and enthusiasm, Ms. Hughes is the founder of the Community Based Operations for All Neighborhoods, a community civic group whose motto is ``Building Better Communities One Block at a Time.'' The need for community, social, recreational and education programs was the structure for the implementation of C.B.O.F.A.N. A strong advocate of children oriented activities and programs, Ms. Hughes implemented an ``Annual Mardi Gras Health and Awareness'' event which brought local programs such as the public library, Office of Environmental Management and Parks Department to the community to explain the services they offer. As the current Grievance Committee Chairperson of the Brueuklen Tenant Association, Ms. Hughes acts as a liaison between the community residents and the management of the Breukelen Housing Development by keeping abreast of the needs of the community and forwarding them to the proper people to have them resolved. As a community activist, Ms. Hughes can be found working with the Breukelen Community Head Start Program, Breukelen Community Center, elected officials, neighborhood businesses and her C.B.O.F.A.N. to ensure that the needs of her community are met for the betterment of the community. Please join me Madam Speaker in recognizing Vanessa Hughes' passion for public service.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Constance V. Hay-Alleyne. Constance has lived life as a goal oriented and knowledgeable Registered Nurse with ambitious and humanitarian social motivations. Constance is well known in the Panamanian and Caribbean communities. Her delightful intellectual curiosity has served her professional growth well. She holds a BSN and MSN degrees from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York and Georgetown University, in Washington D.C., respectively. She has distinguished herself as a competent Nurse Manager and Administrator for over three decades, in the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Washington D.C areas. In 1981, she joined the United States Army Nurses Corps, served as a Captain, active duty and in reserve. At home, Constance has raised her four children to love and respect everyone especially their elders. She insufflated in them positive outlooks in life and motivation to do ``as much as they can'' with care and dignity. It could not be otherwise since this has been an inheritance from her parents: John who died at the age of 114 and Imogene, at age 82. Faithful to that motto, she has been involved in many other activities such as a mediator at the Fafe Horizon Brooklyn Mediation Center, as a Board Member of the Community Board 5 and as the Chair for Education and Training for Tashia's Life, a lupus foundation. She was miraculously rescued from the September 11, 2001 disaster at WTI. This encounter made her redefine her mission on earth, realizing that God had saved her life for some special purpose. She serves the Lord at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where she functions as a Lay Ecinencial Minister, as well as a Vestry. Throughout her career, Mrs. Hay-Alleyne has received numerous awards and recognitions including: being featured in ``Who's Who?'' in Nursing in Cambridge.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Leora Keith. Mrs. Leora Keith is a widow and mother of four biological daughters. She is the adoptive mother of two and a past foster mother. She is a retired early childhood educator who served thirty seven years with the New York City Board of Education. Mrs. Keith encouraged countless children and their families, as she guided them towards successful careers. Mrs. Keith has been a member of the Upper Room Full Gospel Baptist Church for more than thirty years, where she has served on the Usher Board, as church clerk, worked with the youth and sings in the Senior Choir. Through her work with her congregation, she has inspired many with her commitment to family, community and church. Mrs. Keith is affiliated with the Order of Eastern Star under the Star of Bethlehem Grand Chapter where she held the titles of Matron and a Deputy Grand Matron. She is a lifelong member of the National Council of Negro Women Inc., where she served as Vice President of the Brooklyn section. A member of the Brooklyn Reading Association, The New York Alliance of Black School Educators, Board member of the Nascent Victorian Place Cultural Center, which is a non-profit multi-cultural center, dedicated to building links between communities. She is currently President of Tompkins Houses Resident Association Inc., where she partners with the Fresh Air Fund and Literacy Teen Reading partner program. Mrs. Keith is also a member of the Cabs Home Attendants Service Inc., and Continuous Quality Improvement committee. Leora Keith received a Bachelor Degree in Professional Studies from Pace University's Manhattan campus with a concentration in reading. She has master credits from Touro Graduate School of Education and Psychology in Early Childhood and Special Education. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the extraordinary level of passion and commitment towards the betterment of our youth that Leora Keith has given us.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Gloria Cooke, President of the AARP National Organization and community activist. Gloria Cooke was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Gloria attended Franklin K. Lane High School, and completed her education at Kingsborough College where she majored in computer technology. Ms. Cooke attends Mt. Sion Baptist Church faithfully, under the direction of Pastor Dan Craig. Gloria was a care giver for her mother and brother before they expired. Gloria's love of her life is her only son Charles. Ms. Cooke entered into the work force and became a leader in the banking industry for a period of 36 years. She worked for Bankers Trust for 25 years, and Chase Manhattan. She also is a member of Penn Wortman Senior Center. Gloria is a community activist and enjoys volunteering to help her community, neighbors and friends to help them in anyway she can. Ms. Cooke is the President of the AARP National Organization; she was given the position in the AARP Chapter which was founded by Director of Penn Wortman and Pink Senior Center Liz Sanders. The AARP Chapter services the East New York community. Her favorite hobby is travelling to the Caribbean Islands at least three times a year which inspired her to become a travel agent.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Awilda Rosario, a woman committed to the dignified care of the aging in her community. Awilda Rosario was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on December 3, 1951. She grew up with her mother, step-father and three sisters. Early on she was irresistibly attracted to reading and learning about the world and how people live. During her high school years, inspired by her Spanish Literature teachers, she discovered her love for human studies. After graduating from high school in the town of Loiza, she attended the University of Puerto Rico where she completed a Bachelors degree in Spanish Literature with a minor in Sociology. After teaching Spanish Literature at the high school level, Ms. Rosario decided to immigrate to New York, invited by one of her cousins who already lived there. Once in New York, she started to connect with her ex-classmates and friends who helped her land her first job. Because there are no accidents, that first job was as a Caseworker at Diana Jones Senior Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Her position afforded her the opportunity to work with community groups to advocate on behalf of the elderly. At that moment, just emerging from the 70's, the New York City Department for the Aging was not as yet the developed and diverse agency that it is today. The needs of the minority elderly, especially those unable to understand the complexity of the benefits and entitlement programs went mostly unmet. Many minority elderly individuals simply did not apply for benefit programs because they did not know they existed. Even if they knew, they didn't know how to apply for them. For this reason, she joined forces with Mr. Ed Mendez- Santiago, who would later be appointed the Commissioner for the New York City Department for the Aging. The organization he founded, the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-Raices, became a forerunner for advocacy and expansion of services that made benefits and entitlement programs accessible to the minority elderly. She held the position of Chairperson of the Board for a good number of years. After a few years of working as a caseworker, Ms. Rosario was appointed as the Director of the North Brooklyn meals-on-wheels program, also funded by the Department for the Aging and sponsored by Wartburg Lutheran Home for the Aging. During that time Ms. Rosario became very active with the community and served as a member of the Board of Directors of several organizations including the New York State Office for the Aging, Vision for the Blind, East New York Interagency Council and the Brownsville-Ocean Hill Interagency Council. After completing her Masters in Social Work and Administration at Hunter College, Wartburg Lutheran offered her the position of Director of Adult Day Health Care program which she held until several years ago. After 21 years with Wartburg, Ms. Rosario came to work with Brooklyn United Methodist Church Home to serve as Director of their Adult Day Care Program. As always, she continues to enjoy her work with the elderly and with those whose needs can be met by the services offered by this program. She is grateful to Brooklyn United Methodist for the opportunity to continue working with the community and doing what she likes.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ruth Sibler, a dedicated public servant for 26 years. Ruth Sibler is a volunteer at Public School 273 in New York City. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived in Brooklyn for seventy- three years. Ms. Sibler has worked diligently for the Teamster's Union for the 26 years prior to her retirement, and death of her husband, Mr. Sibler. Following her retirement, Ms. Sibler volunteered with P.S. 273 to assist in the library. Ms. Sibler considers volunteering in school the ``love of her life'', along with her children and grand-children, and brings a constant youthful insightfulness to her volunteer work. Madam Speaker, Please join me in recognizing Ruth Sibler for her time and dedication to public service.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise in support of S. 383, the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act of 2009. It has been over 5 months since Congress approved the $700 billion rescue plan for the financial industry. During this time, the oversight committee has documented the accountability and transparency shortcomings of the program. I have asked before and I will ask again: What did the American people get or what can they expect to get from the $700 billion rescue plan? It is my goal to make sure that the taxpayers receive meaningful answers to these questions to make certain that the money is spent wisely and to ensure that waste, fraud and mismanagement is avoided. I am pleased to support this legislation because I have no doubt that such oversight of the TARP program will greatly benefit from these measures to strengthen the TARP Special Inspector General. As Special Inspector General Barofsky told our Domestic Policy Subcommittee earlier this month, more than $300 billion has already been expended. The spending program is up and running, but the office designed to oversee this spending has not yet been provided with all of the authority it needs to do this job effectively. These are his words. We should not wait a moment longer. S. 383 provides this authority. It allows the SIGTARP to conduct oversight over all aspects of the TARP program. It also grants the SIGTARP the temporary hiring authority needed to quickly put in place the staff that the IG needs to conduct critical audits of the program. Under normal circumstances, I would not advocate any deviation from the normal civil service hiring process. I would say that is what we should follow, but these are anything but normal circumstances. These critical audits and investigation positions should be filled right away. I should note that, even with its current modest staff, the SIGTARP has demonstrated its effectiveness in overseeing the TARP program. Last month, I wrote to Treasury Secretary Geithner, urging him to adopt the recommendations made by Mr. Barofsky in his initial report to Congress. I asked that all TARP agreements include language requiring funding recipients to provide information to the SIGTARP and other inspectors general to establish internal controls and to clarify compliance. Importantly, S. 383 would require the Treasury Secretary to report back to Congress if any recommendations made by the SIGTARP are not adopted. I look forward to working together with Mr. Barofsky and with Secretary Geithner to ensure transparency in the TARP program. I believe this legislation is an important step in restoring our economy. It will provide greater accountability to the taxpayers who are funding the TARP program, and I urge its adoption. Let me just say that I want to thank all who have worked on this because I think this is legislation that is very, very important, and I think this is legislation that is going to help us eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.