[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2046-E2047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ADA BERRYMAN: AN OHIO PIONEER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 22, 1997

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, throughout history, there have been 
trailblazers who have achieved important firsts and made enormous 
contributions to the development of this Nation. While the names of 
some of these individuals are recorded in the annals of history, there 
are many others who should be recognized.
  I rise to acknowledge the contributions of Mrs. Ada Berryman, a 
former resident of Warren, OH, who was the first African-American to be 
appointed to the State Housing Board. This feat by Mrs. Berryman in the 
late 1940's was just one of many achievements during her lifetime.
  Mrs. Berryman was born in 1910 in Troy, AL. When she was young, her 
family fled to Ohio to escape the segregation of the South. Mrs. 
Berryman resided in Warren, OH, for 45 years. She is credited with the 
founding of the Warren Chapter of the NAACP. It was Ohio Governor Frank 
Lausche who saw fit in the late 1940's to appoint Mrs. Berryman to the 
State Housing Board. She became the first African-American to be chosen 
for this important State board. In addition to her appointment to the 
housing board, Mrs. Perryman served as president of the Warren Urban 
League board, and as a member of the Trumbull County Welfare Board.
  Mrs. Berryman was also active in the Democratic Party. She was a 
member of the NAACP Federated Democratic Women of Ohio. In 1957 Mrs. 
Perryman ran for city council on the Democratic ticket. She won the 
primary election, but was defeated in the November general election.
  Mr. Speaker, Ada Perryman passed away in 1967 at the age of 56. 
Throughout her life, she sought to make a difference. She challenged 
segregation, she challenged the political system, and she challenged 
our society. I want to note that a member of Mrs. Berryman's family, 
her granddaughter, Ada Posey, serves as Acting Director of the Office 
of Administration for the White House. She brought to my attention the 
achievements of this remarkable individual. I share the family's pride 
in Mrs. Berryman's accomplishments. I am pleased to share this 
information with my colleagues.

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