E1402 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks August 3, 2012 HONORING JUDGE JOSEPH P. lenge . While Mr. Johnson did University in Virginia, Mrs. Clark served as a CRONIN JR. not reach significant popularity due to his nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital and Winter weight class and lack of defining fights, he Park Memorial Hospital. Shortly after, she be- HON. PATRICK MEEHAN went on to become one of the top pound-for- came the first African-American female to be pound fighters in boxing for several years. OF PENNSYLVANIA the Director of the Orange County Health De- During his career, Mr. Johnson won forty- partment in Orlando, Florida. At the time of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES four matches and lost only her retirement, she worked as a Nursing Care Thursday, August 2, 2012 five. He had twenty-eight knockouts. During Coordinator at Orlando Veteran Administration Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Johnson’s amateur career, he won 125 Outpatient Clinic. boxing matches and lost only six. He won the a great American, legal scholar and friend— As a community activist, she gave of herself Judge Joseph P. Cronin, Jr. Judge Cronin has first Junior World PentaContinental title in 1993. He held the International Boxing Fed- and her talents to benefit both the individuals shown a lifelong commitment to public service and the many organizations she served. Mrs. and to Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Judge eration title from May 1996 to Sep- tember 1998, the International Boxing Federa- Clark became chairwoman of the Parramore Cronin first served his nation as a Marine and Heritage Renovation project which was re- following law school he joined the District At- tion title from April 1999 to sponsible for assessing the needs and defin- torney’s Office in Delaware County where he November 1990, and the World Boxing Orga- ing solutions for existing conditions within this prosecuted cases in the Juvenile Court. Fol- nization Junior title from August historic neighborhood. She worked tirelessly to lowing his service as a prosecutor, he went on 2003 to September 2004. Mr. Johnson was maintain the goal of the agency to preserve, to become Partner at the law firm of Cronin, the first African-American in history to capture Emuryan and Breen. Although in private prac- both a World Flyweight and Super Flyweight develop and improve the economics of the tice at the time, Judge Cronin still remained boxing championship, and he did that not area; improve the educational level of the resi- dedicated to the community by serving his once, but twice. dents; and preserve the cultural heritage of township as commissioner. Since 2008, after retiring from professional the community. She took special pride in the boxing in 2008, Mr. Johnson, along with his On November 5, 1991 Judge Cronin was area because she had close ties to the com- father and lifelong trainer, Abraham ‘‘Ham’’ elected to his first 10-year term to the Dela- munity having grown up there as well as her Johnson, has been training underprivileged ware County Court of Common Pleas. During own personal and historical connection her boys and girls in their gym located in South- these years as a trial Judge he earned a rep- family had to the neighborhood. Mrs. Clark’s east Washington, D.C. Today, Mark Johnson utation as a fair-minded and wise jurist. Judge parents, Leroy E. Richardson and Rosa is employed as a Roving Leader within the Cronin was retained for a second term and in James Richardson, her paternal grandmother, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, January 2008 he was elected President Judge Adeline Richardson, and other family mem- and in that capacity, he conducts home and by the 19-member Board of Judges to serve bers were among Orlando’s earliest residents school visits, and teaches at-risk children to a five-year term. In that role, Judge Cronin in Central Florida. Mrs. Clark could recall the read and write. He also is heavily involved in showed tremendous skill in leading a busy early days of the founding Orlando community gang violence prevention. Mr. Johnson serves Court System with significant responsibilities. where needs of families were often provided as a positive and accomplished role-model for Recently, Judge Cronin was instrumental in from the surplus of another. It was those troubled youth within the Washington, D.C. helping Delaware County establish a veteran’s memories that inspired and motivated her to area. treatment court to aid those heroes who now become president of the Parramore Heritage Mr. Speaker, on June 10, 2012, Mark ‘‘Too suffer from substance abuse and mental ill- Sharp’’ Johnson was the first Boxer from Foundation, president of the Carter Street ness. Judge Cronin will retire from his position Washington, D.C. to be inducted into the Box- Neighborhood Association, and Board Director on the Court of Common Pleas on August 31, ing Hall of Fame, and, at 40 years old, he is for the Orlando Neighborhood Improvement 2012. the youngest ever to have received such an Corporation. She also became a business Judge Joseph Cronin’s service to Delaware honor. ‘‘I have known Mark since he was 6; he owner in the area to contribute to the eco- County has been invaluable and he has our deserves it and he’s the best bantamweight nomic development of the vicinity by opening enduring gratitude. I join the citizens of Dela- ever,’’ former world-champion Sugar Ray a women’s boutique, Clarks’ Ladies Fashion. ware County and the 7th Congressional Dis- Leonard said of Mark Johnson’s induction into Mrs. Clark had a very successful career and trict in wishing him and his family the best for the Hall of Fame. I ask the House to join me received numerous awards through her contin- the future. in commending Mark Johnson for his out- uous involvement of various community, social f standing accomplishments as a boxing cham- and civic groups in Central Florida including RECOGNIZING MARK JOHNSON pion and his ongoing commitment to the youth the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma of the District of Columbia. Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she was f recognized for 15 years of outstanding service HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON and commitment. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TRIBUTE TO MERCERDESE CLARK A virtuous woman and mother of two, we IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES embrace her children and her family. She was Thursday, August 2, 2012 HON. CORRINE BROWN a loving and caring mother who nurtured not OF FLORIDA only her children, but the community. We Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ask the House of Representatives to join me honor Mrs. Clark for the many contributions in recognizing Mark Johnson, the first African- Thursday, August 2, 2012 and the impact she had on the lives of many. American in history to capture both a World Ms. BROWN of Florida. On behalf of the She was truly an invaluable member of our Flyweight and Super Flyweight championship constituents of the Third Congressional District community and an outstanding servant. The twice in his career. Also known as ‘‘Too of Florida, I rise now to offer heartfelt condo- life of Mercerdese Clark was one of accom- Sharp,’’ Mr. Johnson was a top pound-for- lences and pay tribute to the life of an extraor- plishment, excellence and service. In her pound fighter during his sixteen-year career dinary accomplished woman, Mrs. Mercerdese passing, we pay tribute to a consummate pro- from 1990 to 2006. He perfected finesse, Clark, a humanitarian, healer, life activist, and fessional woman for her life of service and we power, and speed. Attesting to his athleticism, friend. pray that by her example each of us become his perseverance, and his well-developed We are moved and encouraged when recall- the bearers of her spirit and humanitarian leg- skills, Johnson attained twenty-one knockouts ing the life achievements and service of Mrs. acy of passion for service and excellence. We before his matches made it to the fourth Clark as a nurse, community leader, and so- come now to join in prayer for, son, Kenneth round. cial activist. She has been an advocate for so- Clark and daughter Kim G. Clark and a host Mr. Johnson had more than execution; he cial service, health awareness and a role of loving relatives, Sorority Sisters, and friends had an array of intangibles that set him apart model and mentor to youth and entrepreneurs whose lives have been forever changed by from the rest of his profession. In his pursuits, in the Central Florida community for many this woman of God. We thank Our Heavenly Mr. Johnson left his natural division to take a years. An Orlando native who received her Father for allowing us to be blessed with the Super Flyweight title and then go on to chal- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Hampton time spent with Mrs. Mercerdese Clark.

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