[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 66 (Monday, May 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ALTHEA GIBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 1997

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of my 
colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives a very special 
charitable event, the Second Annual Golf and Tennis Classic sponsored 
by the East Orange General Hospital Foundation.
  This annual charitable event, which will be held on June 12, 1997, 
will honor Althea Gibson, one of the most highly recognized women in 
the world today. She is a pioneer in sports and is revered as one of 
the greatest tennis players of all time and recognized as a world class 
golfer.
  Ms. Gibson was the first African-American to play tennis at the U.S. 
Open--1950--and Wimbledon, England--1951. She set the stage for women 
in sports when beginning in 1957 she won the U.S. women's singles 
championship, followed by a three time championship in women's doubles 
at Wimbledon beginning 1956 and culminating with Ms. Gibson winning the 
coveted Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship in 1957 and 1958.
  As a star athlete and a woman of character, integrity, and 
dedication, Ms. Gibson was undaunted in her quest for excellence in 
sports. She met challenges head on and broke down barriers so that 
others could enjoy the sport of tennis.
  In addition to her worldly accolades Ms. Gibson has been a longtime 
resident of the city of East Orange, serving as director of recreation 
and cultural affairs. Ms. Gibson is a role model, an author, an 
athlete, an outstanding woman of courage and dignity. We are proud to 
be her neighbor, and her friend. Today, we salute Althea Gibson for her 
courage, her tenacity, her spirit, and for setting the stage for a Zina 
Garrison and a Martina Navratilova, a Lori McNeil and a Billie Jean 
King, a Monica Seles and a Steffi Graff, and for other girls and young 
women of all ages, colors, and creeds who have a tennis racket in their 
hands and a love for the sport in their hearts.
  As the Representative of East Orange in Congress, I am proud of the 
accomplishments of Ms. Gibson, and I applaud the work of the East 
Orange General Hospital Foundation. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues 
join me in expressing our appreciation to Althea Gibson for her 
numerous outstanding contributions to humankind. She truly is a 20th 
century pioneer.

                          ____________________