E172 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 25, 2021 CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY rado Job Corps; special assistant to the CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MONTH AND HONORING SHEVRIN United States Air Force Red Horse Officer MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS LEE JONES Corps at Osan Air Force Base in Korea (’68– SINCLAIR ’69 Pueblo Incident); healthcare quality assur- HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY ance consultant for Northrop Corporation (’84 HON. RALPH NORMAN OF Saudi Arabia); office manager of Vern’s prac- OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tice, president of both the Clear Creek Valley IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and Colorado Medical Society Auxiliaries, and Thursday, February 25, 2021 Thursday, February 25, 2021 an advocate for child health issues through Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, the American Medical Association. Mr. NORMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today as part of our national celebration of Black Sharon became active in the community in to celebrate the life of Major General Thomas History Month, I am paying tribute to African- which she and Vern raised their family— Lee Sinclair who passed away on February American leaders from Florida who have Wheat Ridge, Colo. She owned a ladies’ bou- 17, 2021. Born to the late John Albert Sinclair and made outstanding contributions to our commu- tique, Stepping Out, where her daughter Gladys Lee Sinclair on September 22, 1947, nity and our country. These accomplished helped to manage the store and created Thomas was raised in Union and graduated men and women have not always received the memories there together until Sharon’s retire- from Union High School. He pursued a Bach- recognition they have earned. ment in 2004. During retirement, Sharon and elor of Science at Clemson University and re- Today I rise to honor Shevrin Jones. Vern traveled the world and enjoyed time with ceived both a Master’s in Education and EdS Shevrin grew up in Carol City. He earned his their family and friends. degree at Winthrop University. Furthering his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molec- Sharon was a devoted wife and loving studies, Thomas attended the United States ular biology from Florida A&M University and mother and grandmother. Sharon is survived Army War College where he received a Mas- his master’s degree in educational leadership by her husband of fifty years Dr. Vern ter’s in Strategic Studies. Thomas served his from Florida Atlantic University. Jones went on Ritzman; son Michael Ritzman of country as a decorated United States Army to found L.E.A.D. Nation, a non- Breckenridge, Colo.; daughter Michelle (Matt) veteran of 38 years, retiring after earning the profit organization committed to youth leader- Spidell, of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; grandson rank of Brigadier General for the South Caro- ship development and social entrepreneurship Trevor Ritzman of Lakewood, Colo.; and furry lina Army National Guard. While on active- training. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Edu- granddaughters Daisy and Maya. duty, he amassed notable honors including the cational Leadership at Florida Atlantic Univer- I appreciate and thank her for her lifetime of Legion of Merit, the Army Achievement and sity. service to our community. National Defense Service Medals, and the Shevrin was elected to the Florida House of f South Carolina Palmetto Cross for his dedi- Representatives in 2012, where he served cated efforts during Operation Hugo. Thomas honorably for eight years. In 2020, he was HONORING THE LIFE OF CAROL spent half of his military career in command elected to the , becoming the ANN MARTINEZ roles, leading his surrounding staff through first openly LGBTQ member of any race to HON. J. LUIS CORREA significant assignments. serve in that chamber. For 27 years, Thomas found a fulfilling ca- Senator Jones is continuing his family’s OF CALIFORNIA reer in the Union County School System as a proud legacy of public service. His father, Eric IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES high school teacher, junior high school prin- Jones, served as Mayor of West Park for over Thursday, February 25, 2021 cipal, and assistant superintendent. He en- 15 years. joyed mentoring students and retired as a Senator Jones has always had a passion for Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today Union County supervisor. A member of Grace education. He taught A.P. Chemistry in the to honor the life of Carol Ann Martinez, wife of United Methodist Church, Thomas remained Broward County Public School district, serves Marine Corps Veteran SSGT Jose Martinez, faithful and humble through all facets of his as the Executive Director of Florida Reading and an avid volunteer to the American Legion life. Former Chairman of the Union Community Corps, and founded South Florida Youth Sum- Post 132. Carol passed away on January 29, Foundation and President of the Union Civitan mit, the largest gathering of young people in 2021, during an emergency heart surgery. Club, he was determined to leave a lasting South Florida. Carol was born on March 6, 1960, and mark on his hometown. Thomas was happily Every day, Senator Jones is making a posi- raised in Santa Ana, CA. She was a graduate married to Kathryn Bowers Sinclair with three tive difference in his community and for our of Santa Ana High School and worked for the adult children, Libby, Kelly, and Tommy, and country. Santa Ana Police Department early on in her ten beautiful grandchildren. His presence will I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring career. certainly be missed by those who knew him, and celebrating Shevrin Jones. Being a proud military wife was a highlight but his legacy will shine on for years to come. f for her. She was an Auxiliary member and was involved with the American Legion Post f SHARON RITZMAN 132 alongside her husband. She assisted with CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY the children and youth activities for the post MONTH AND HONORING HON. ED PERLMUTTER and district levels. As well as being a historian ARTHENIA JOYNER OF COLORADO for the post, she took pictures and docu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mented activities. Carol also started events such as the ‘‘Welcome Home Vietnam Vet- HON. STEPHANIE N. MURPHY OF FLORIDA Thursday, February 25, 2021 erans Dinner’’ and the ‘‘Welcome Home Ko- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise rean War Veterans Dinner’’. today to recognize Sharon Leatrice (Karr) She assisted with a multitude of functions Thursday, February 25, 2021 Ritzman of Golden, Colorado who passed and fundraisers outside of the Legion as well Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, away on February 8, 2021. like the Relay for Life. The Relay for Life was as part of our national celebration of Black Sharon’s childhood was spent in Omaha, near and dear to her heart from losing so History Month, I am paying tribute to African- Nebraska. After graduating high school in Ne- many family members to cancer. American leaders from Florida who have braska, Sharon went on to attend the Univer- Carol was incredibly giving, and losing her made outstanding contributions to our commu- sity of Iowa. There she was an active member to heart complications affected so many peo- nity and our country. These accomplished of Pi Beta Phi and graduated with a bachelor’s ple. We will all love her, miss her and remem- men and women have not always received the degree in psychology. Shortly thereafter, Shar- ber her every single day. recognition they have earned. on married Vern Ritzman on August 28, 1965 She was laid to rest on February 22, 2021, Today I rise to honor Arthenia Joyner. Born in Omaha, NE. Following their wedding, Shar- at Riverside National Cemetery. in Lakeland and raised in Tampa, Ms. Joyner on accompanied Vern on his career path of She is survived by her husband, her daugh- has been a champion for justice and equality family medicine, all the while holding a variety ter Jessica and her grandsons Aaron, Evan, from a young age, participating in her first civil of meaningful positions herself. Sharon’s ac- Jayden and Roman. rights demonstration as a high school junior in complishments include chief operator for I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 1960. She studied political science at Florida Northwestern Bell Telephone in Sioux City and the life of Carol Ann Martinez. May her mem- A&M University, where she also earned her Iowa City, Iowa; client advocate with the Colo- ory live on with her loved ones. law degree.

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