[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1841-E1842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO VERNON ODOM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS C. SAWYER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with Members the loss 
of a man who was not only an extraordinary community leader in the 14th 
Congressional District of Ohio, but whose work in the National Urban 
League touched the lives of countless others across the country.
  There are a few people who, by the very way that they live their 
lives, have changed entire communities, people whose actions enrich the 
lives of others and whose vision, perseverance, and accomplishments 
inspire others to succeed.
  Vernon Odom, a 43-year resident of Akron, OH, was such a person. 
Everyone whose life he touched benefited from his wisdom, his 
commitment, and his strength of character.
  Born in Biscoe, AR, in 1921, Mr. Odom was the son of a former slave 
who went on to attend medical school at Meharry in Nashville, TN, 
before the turn of the century. Mr. Odom's mother was widowed when he 
was only 2 years old. Surrounded by the racial tensions of the rural 
South during the 1920's and 1930's she managed to raise eight children, 
supervise sharecroppers, and fend off the theft of her property.
  At age 16, Vernon Odom moved to Cleveland to continue his education--
the school for African-Americans in his hometown only went to the 10th 
grade. After high school he enrolled at Morehouse College in Atlanta, 
GA, but soon had to postpone his studies to serve

[[Page E1842]]

in the U.S. Army during World War II. In the Army, Mr. Odom served as a 
master sergeant in the Signal Corps stationed in Europe.
  After the war, Vernon Odom finished his studies at Morehouse College, 
earning his degree in June, 1949. During this same period, he met and 
married his wife, Sadie Harvey, an Atlantan who became his inspiration 
and most trusted advisor. While participating in graduate field study 
in Harlem in August, 1949, Mr. Odom became embroiled in the Peekskill 
riot, defending Paul Robeson's right to sing in public.
  In 1950, Mr. Odom received a master's degree in social work from 
Atlanta University, and 3 years later joined the staff of the Akron 
Community Service Center and Urban League. He later rose to executive 
director, a position he held from 1964 to 1992. As the executive 
director, Mr. Odom changed the agency's mission from charity work to 
opportunity building.
  Mr. Odom served in leadership positions on most of the major planning 
and public-service boards in the greater Akron area. He had the unique 
ability to combine a broad civic vision with sincere concern for 
individuals which led him to be both widely respected and genuinely 
loved throughout the Akron community.
  During his career, Mr. Odom helped provide thousands of young men and 
women with jobs, training, money for school, and personal counseling. 
At the same time, he established himself as an effective civic leader--
pushing to desegregate the city of Akron's police department, 
workplaces and most other major institutions. For his work, he received 
national recognition, including the Whitney Young Medallion--the 
highest award of the National Urban League, the National Black Police 
Association Humanitarian Award, and an honorary doctorate in Human 
Service from the University of Akron.
  Mr. Odom was a lifetime member of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People, a member of the Century Club of the 
United Negro College Fund and the Arlington Church of God.
  Vernon Odom passed away on May 22, 1996. While my entire community 
mourns his death, we remain deeply grateful for the far-reaching and 
ongoing contribution he made to improving the quality of our lives 
together, throughout our community and Nation. Vern Odom's life itself 
is his legacy. Those of us who knew him are better for his having lived 
it among us.

                          ____________________