[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: May 26, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ANN-MARIE ADKER, PUBLIC SERVICE ROLE MODEL ______ HON. CARRIE P. MEEK of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, May 26, 1994 Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in celebration of the life, legacy, and many contributions made by Ann-Marie Adker, a matriarch of our community and unofficial mayor of Overtown. For nearly five decades, Ann-Marie served the residents of her community and waged many battles on their behalf. Through her efforts, Miami's first police substation was established in Overtown, and a neighborhood center and health clinic soon followed. Ann-Marie was an ardent warrior for the citizens of Overtown, and the poor. The works of few people in our community have captured the hearts and stirred the souls and imaginations of Miamians like those of Ann- Marie Adker. No one could speak for the people of Overtown like Ann-Marie. She lived there. She knew the people. She knew the problems. And, she knew the solutions. I've worked with Ann-Marie on dozens of projects and was always impressed by her energy, personal integrity, intelligence, and intense passionate concern for her friends and neighbors and even for people she never met. Mr. Speaker, it's people like Ann-Marie that make our communities work, for they ensure that the tasks that need to get done are done, and that attention is paid to neighborhoods that are too often overlooked. Ann-Marie understood that the quality of life centers around home and the neighborhood. Though she often worked on big projects with far reaching implications, she never lost sight of the fact that the success of even the largest projects must be measured by how they improve the lives of individuals and families. I encourage young people to get involved in government service, but clearly Ann-Marie was every bit as effective as most civil servants, and far more effective than many. She was as familiar at City Hall as any elected official, and certainly as respected. Ann-Marie was a true public servant. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in extending deepest condolences to Ann-Marie's family; her daughters Williene Adker, Barbara Adker, and Karen King; sons Winfred Young, Willie Everette Adker and Keith Adker; brother Claudell Young; former husband Willie Adker; 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Overtown, and indeed, all of America, has suffered a great loss. ____________________