August 3, 2012 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 158, Pt. 10 13411 RECOGNIZING MARK JOHNSON pion and his ongoing commitment to the youth Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she was of the District of Columbia. recognized for 15 years of outstanding service HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON f and commitment. A virtuous woman and mother of two, we THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TRIBUTE TO MERCERDESE CLARK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES embrace her children and her family. She was a loving and caring mother who nurtured not Thursday, August 2, 2012 HON. CORRINE BROWN only her children, but the community. We Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to OF FLORIDA honor Mrs. Clark for the many contributions ask the House of Representatives to join me IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the impact she had on the lives of many. in recognizing Mark Johnson, the first African- Thursday, August 2, 2012 She was truly an invaluable member of our American in history to capture both a World community and an outstanding servant. The and championship Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on be- life of Mercerdese Clark was one of accom- twice in his career. Also known as ‘‘Too half of the constituents of the Third Congres- plishment, excellence and service. In her Sharp,’’ Mr. Johnson was a top pound-for- sional District of Florida, I rise now to offer passing, we pay tribute to a consummate pro- pound fighter during his sixteen-year career heartfelt condolences and pay tribute to the fessional woman for her life of service and we from 1990 to 2006. He perfected finesse, life of an extraordinary accomplished woman, pray that by her example each of us become power, and speed. Attesting to his athleticism, Mrs. Mercerdese Clark, a humanitarian, heal- the bearers of her spirit and humanitarian leg- his perseverance, and his well-developed er, life activist, and friend. acy of passion for service and excellence. We skills, Johnson attained twenty-one knockouts We are moved and encouraged when recall- come now to join in prayer for, son, Kenneth before his matches made it to the fourth ing the life achievements and service of Mrs. Clark and daughter Kim G. Clark and a host round. Clark as a nurse, community leader, and so- of loving relatives, Sorority Sisters, and friends Mr. Johnson had more than execution; he cial activist. She has been an advocate for so- whose lives have been forever changed by had an array of intangibles that set him apart cial service, health awareness and a role this woman of God. We thank Our Heavenly from the rest of his profession. In his pursuits, model and mentor to youth and entrepreneurs Father for allowing us to be blessed with the Mr. Johnson left his natural division to take a in the Central Florida community for many time spent with Mrs. Mercerdese Clark. Super Flyweight title and then go on to chal- years. An Orlando native who received her f lenge . While Mr. Johnson did Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Hampton not reach significant popularity due to his University in Virginia, Mrs. Clark served as a PERSONAL EXPLANATION weight class and lack of defining fights, he nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital and Winter went on to become one of the top pound-for- Park Memorial Hospital. Shortly after, she be- HON. MARTIN HEINRICH pound fighters in boxing for several years. came the first African-American female to be OF NEW MEXICO During his career, Mr. Johnson won forty- the Director of the Orange County Health De- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES four matches and lost only partment in Orlando, Florida. At the time of Thursday, August 2, 2012 five. He had twenty-eight knockouts. During her retirement, she worked as a Nursing Care Mr. Johnson’s amateur career, he won 125 Coordinator at Orlando Veteran Administration Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Speaker, on July 31, boxing matches and lost only six. He won the Outpatient Clinic. 2012, I unfortunately missed three votes, first Junior World Penta-Continental title in As a community activist, she gave of herself which included rollcall Nos. 537, 538 and 539. 1993. He held the International Boxing Fed- and her talents to benefit both the individuals If I had been present, I would have voted eration Flyweight title from May 1996 to Sep- and the many organizations she served. Mrs. ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall vote 537. If I had been present, I would have voted tember 1998, the International Boxing Federa- Clark became chairwoman of the Parramore ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall vote 538. tion Super Flyweight title from April 1999 to Heritage Renovation project which was re- If I had been present, I would have voted November 1990, and the World Boxing Orga- sponsible for assessing the needs and defin- ‘‘no’’ on rollcall vote 539. nization Junior title from August ing solutions for existing conditions within this 2003 to September 2004. Mr. Johnson was historic neighborhood. She worked tirelessly to f the first African-American in history to capture maintain the goal of the agency to preserve, RECOGNIZING FLEX-A-LITE ON both a World Flyweight and Super Flyweight develop and improve the economics of the THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY boxing championship, and he did that not area; improve the educational level of the resi- once, but twice. dents; and preserve the cultural heritage of HON. ADAM SMITH Since 2008, after retiring from professional the community. She took special pride in the OF WASHINGTON boxing in 2008, Mr. Johnson, along with his area because she had close ties to the com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES father and lifelong trainer, Abraham ‘‘Ham’’ munity having grown up there as well as her Johnson, has been training underprivileged own personal and historical connection her Thursday, August 2, 2012 boys and girls in their gym located in South- family had to the neighborhood. Mrs. Clark’s Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I east Washington, D.C. Today, Mark Johnson parents, Leroy E. Richardson and Rosa rise to honor the Flex-a-lite company, a Fife, is employed as a Roving Leader within the James Richardson, her paternal grandmother, Washington manufacturer for their 50 years of D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, Adeline Richardson, and other family mem- American manufacturing. The company has and in that capacity, he conducts home and bers were among Orlando’s earliest residents continuously set itself apart from its competi- school visits, and teaches at-risk children to in Central Florida. Mrs. Clark could recall the tion in the automotive industry by promoting read and write. He also is heavily involved in early days of the founding Orlando community strong domestic sales and rarely outsourcing gang violence prevention. Mr. Johnson serves where needs of families were often provided manufacturing abroad. as a positive and accomplished role-model for from the surplus of another. It was those Eddy Davis, along with his son-in-law, troubled youth within the Washington, D.C. memories that inspired and motivated her to Rainer Willingham, founded Flex-a-lite in area. become president of the Parramore Heritage 1962. The company dramatically changed the Mr. Speaker, on June 10, 2012, Mark ‘‘Too Foundation, president of the Carter Street automotive world, by inventing the very first Sharp’’ Johnson was the first Boxer from Neighborhood Association, and Board Director flexible fan created from hand-cut fiberglass Washington, D.C. to be inducted into the Box- for the Orlando Neighborhood Improvement roofing material. In 1978, the founders pat- ing Hall of Fame, and, at 40 years old, he is Corporation. She also became a business ented the first electric fan and three genera- the youngest ever to have received such an owner in the area to contribute to the eco- tions later, the company continues to prosper. honor. ‘‘I have known Mark since he was 6; he nomic development of the vicinity by opening The current president of Flex-a-lite and deserves it and he’s the best bantamweight a women’s boutique, Clarks’ Ladies Fashion. granddaughter of Eddy Davis, Lisa Chissus, ever,’’ former world-champion Sugar Ray Mrs. Clark had a very successful career and has said that the business has been able to Leonard said of Mark Johnson’s induction into received numerous awards through her contin- overcome hardships during tough economic the Hall of Fame. I ask the House to join me uous involvement of various community, social times because Flex-a-lite remained loyal to in commending Mark Johnson for his out- and civic groups in Central Florida including three key factors: innovation, quality, and standing accomplishments as a boxing cham- the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma smooth succession.

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