[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 141 (Tuesday, October 31, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   IN HONOR OF COMMANDER CHRISTOPHER JENKINS OF THE NEW YORK COUNTY 
                            AMERICAN LEGION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2000

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the late Christopher Jenkins, the former American Legion New York 
County Commander, who passed away this past summer. Mr. Jenkins, the 
first African-American ever to become the Commander of the New York 
County American Legion, was an outstanding veterans' activist and 
leader in the Harlem community.
  A member of ``the Greatest Generation,'' Mr. Jenkins served in the 
U.S. Navy during World War II. Originally from Savannah, GA, Mr. 
Jenkins moved to Harlem after his military discharge and began a career 
with the New York City Department of Sanitation. He became a 
Legionnaire at Harlem's Colonel Charles Young Post No. 398 in the late 
1940's. He was elected the Post Commander in 1958 and was later 
reelected to this office more than 15 times. He was then elected New 
York County Commander in 1975 and served until 1976. From 1992 to 1993 
he served as the First District Commander, Department of the New York 
American Legion. In 1995, he was elected Vice Commander of the 
Department of the New York American Legion, remaining in this office 
until his retirement from the Legion in 1996.
  Aside from his work with the local American Legion post, Mr. Jenkins 
was an extremely well-liked leader in his Harlem neighborhood. He was 
the founder of the Jackie Robinson Senior Citizen Center's Chorale 
Group and active in numerous community and religious organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the laudable accomplishments and community 
activities of Christopher Jenkins. A proud, loyal, and dedicated 
leader, Mr. Jenkins' gracious and friendly personality, his involvement 
in the American Legion, and his leadership in the Harlem community, 
will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________