[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 147 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO EDWARD A. STEVENSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 4, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late Edward A. 
Stevenson, Jr., an outstanding individual who dedicated his life to 
public service. He was honored on November 19 by family, friends, and 
public officials for his outstanding contributions to the community 
with a street renaming in his honor. This is a fitting tribute for a 
man who has given so much to our community.
  The Honorable Edward A. Stevenson, Jr. was the only child of the 
distinguished former Assemblyman Edward A. Stevenson, Sr., who was the 
first Caribbean-American to serve in the New York State Assembly, 
representing the 78th Assembly District in the Morrisania section of 
the Bronx. He was also a founder of the Jackson Democratic Club in the 
South Bronx.
  Mr. Speaker, like his father, Edward Stevenson, Jr. was an active 
public servant in the Democratic party both in the Bronx and citywide. 
He became a District Leader in the 78th A.D. and managed several 
political campaigns.
  Under his leadership in the early 1970's, the Bronx Shepard's 
Restoration Corporation, composed of more than 100 religious 
organizations committed to rebuilding the Bronx, was founded. He 
understood the need for the rehabilitation and construction of new 
housing projects for the homeless, the elderly, and low- and moderate-
income families, as well as in facilitating educational opportunities 
for our youth. He also served as Chairman of the Neighborhood Advisory 
Board and as a member of Community Board 9. In 1990, he founded 
Envirogard Corporation, a real estate enterprise to pursue residential 
property management. Stevenson Jr. also managed the 972-unit Lafayette-
Boynton housing complex in the Soundview community.
  Mr. Speaker, as cofounder of Voters Organized To Educate and Register 
(V.O.T.E.R.), a not-for-profit entity, he helped and encouraged 
thousands of Bronx residents to participate in the electoral process. 
Two days before his untimely death in December 1996, Edward Stevenson, 
Jr. was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Board of Elections 
for the Bronx.
  Edward A. Stevenson, Jr. is survived by his wife Mildred and his 
eight sons, Greg, Eric, Eddie Jr., John, Cecil, Scott, Mark, and 
Motier. Like his father and grandfather, Eric is proudly continuing the 
family tradition of public service. The 34-year-old currently works as 
Community Coordinator under Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
Honorable Edward A. Stevenson, Jr.

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