[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF CARROLL BROWN

                                 ______


                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Carroll Brown 
on the 10th anniversary of her founding of the West Haven Black 
Coalition.
  For the past decade, the West Haven Black Coalition has improved the 
lives of African-Americans and strengthened the West Haven community. 
By joining forces, African-Americans in West Haven have made their 
voices heard and have assumed leading roles in all walks of life. The 
West Haven Black Coalition has spurred efforts to register voters, 
improve parks, and educate our future leaders through its scholarship 
program.
  The West Haven Black Coalition's mission to encourage African-
Americans to get involved in their community is a reflection of the 
organization's founder and president, Carroll Brown. Carroll's selfless 
devotion to helping others has improved Connecticut at both the State 
and local levels. She helped working people across Connecticut when she 
served as a labor committee staff member at the Statehouse in Hartford.
  It is in her own community, however, that Carroll has truly set 
herself apart and shown others not only the way, but their 
responsibility to better their neighborhoods and surroundings. Her 
dedication can be seen in many ways, including her pioneering service 
as the first African-American woman on the West Haven Board of 
Education. She has fostered this community spirit in her husband and 
three sons.
  Carroll realized the potential for greater community participation by 
African-Americans in West Haven and had the vision to create the West 
Haven Black Coalition. In the 10 years since, the coalition has unified 
West Haven's black community and given rise to true grass roots 
community involvement. Her oft-repeated words capture her commitment to 
a cohesive community: ``In unity there is strength. Together we stand, 
divided we fall.''
  I have had the pleasure of working with Carroll Brown for many years 
and am pleased to take this opportunity to thank her and congratulate 
her on the 10th anniversary of the West Haven Black Coalition she has 
founded and nurtured over the years.

                          ____________________