[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            HONORING THE REVEREND DR. S. HOWARD WOODSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of my 
colleagues to an effort taking place in central New Jersey today to 
honor one of our area's most noted spiritual and community leaders, the 
late Reverend Dr. S. Howard Woodson, Jr.
  Today, in the City of Trenton, New Jersey, one of our community's 
busiest thoroughfares, Calhoun Street, is being renamed in honor of Dr. 
Woodson. It's an expression of thanks from a grateful community for 
over half a century of leadership and community involvement by this 
amazing man.
  Reverend Woodson was a community leader in Trenton since 1946. As the 
respected pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Dr. Woodson was also a noted 
leader in our nation's civil rights movement. As the Chairman of the 
Board of the Carver YMCA, Rev. Woodson fought to be granted independent 
status from the National YMCA, in order to desegregate that community 
institution. Later, as President of the State Conference of the NAACP, 
he convinced officials to convene the first state conference on housing 
discrimination. This conference raised awareness and led to many 
advances in housing rights for all in our community. Reverend Woodson's 
long and distinguished career has been marked by many firsts. He was 
the first individual of color elected as councilman-at-large in 
Trenton. He was also the first person of color to serve as Chairman of 
the Ranking Legislative Committee, Assistant Democratic Leader, and 
Speaker of the New Jersey State House.
  In addition to being a respected and influential leader in community 
events, Reverend Woodson nurtured and helped grow the congregation of 
the Shiloh Baptist Church into one of the strongest, most committed and 
most spiritually vibrant churches in New Jersey. Through Reverend 
Woodson's leadership, the church erected a new center of worship and 
reached out to our community to clean up neighborhoods and bring people 
together for positive social change.
  Today's honor is well deserved, and one of many earned by the late 
Dr. Woodson over his long and distinguished career. I take pride in 
joining with my colleagues in the House in marking this honor for an 
individual who meant so much to so many in central New Jersey.

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