Chris Van Hollen: “I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of the late Elwynda Kowan Patterson Chapman of Mitchellville, MD. Mrs. Chapman…”

“I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of the late Elwynda Kowan Patterson Chapman of Mitchellville, MD. Mrs. Chapman was born in Kinston, NC, to loving parents Courtney L. Patterson and Bernice I. White Patterson. After attending local schools, Mrs. Chapman continued her education at North Carolina Central University and later received her masters in library science from the Catholic University of America in 1980. Mrs. Chapman pursued her passion with a tremendous career as a library scientist, serving the Federal Government over countless years at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Agricultural Library, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Her commitment to her career culminated in her participation in the founding of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Library and Information Network, which has been instrumental to the organization and sharing of relevant security data between agencies. In addition to her robust career, Mrs. Chapman was a pillar of her community. From 1988, Elwynda and her husband ``Mayor'' David Chapman were deeply involved in the Lake Arbor Community. Above all, Mrs. Chapman had a paramount devotion to the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, where she is best remembered for her love of worship and praise songs, involvement within the Sunday school, and faith community outreach efforts. Mrs.…”