[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 75 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




JOYCE ELLINGTON HONORED FOR YEARS OF NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVISM AND LIBRARY 
                                ADVOCATE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 10, 2002

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of 
Joyce Ellington and would like to recognize her extraordinary and 
tireless service to the residents and members of Northside Neighborhood 
Association.
  Ellington has served on the board of San Jose's oldest neighborhood 
group, Northside Neighborhood Association (NNA) during its entire 36-
year history. In addition to becoming the first African-American chair 
of San Jose's Library Commission in 1980, she was the driving force 
behind obtaining a library for the Northside area in the early 1970's. 
With help from then-Mayor Norm Mineta, another NNA original member, 
federal funding was obtained for the construction of the library.
  In 2000, unbeknownst to Ellington, NNA proposed to rename the library 
in her honor and eventually petitioned the city council for approval.
  The renaming of the library in Ellington's honor not only recognizes 
her achievements as a community activist, but is also a way to honor 
the diversity of San Jose, and in the Northside neighborhood, one of 
San Jose's oldest communities and where most African-American families 
lived in the turn of the century and early 1900's.
  Ms. Ellington has lived in Northside for over 70 years and her home, 
built in 1908, is the oldest home in San Jose with continuing African-
American inhabitants.
  Joyce Ellington has devoted her life to enrich and advance her 
community, and her contribution deserves to be honored to serve as an 
inspiration for neighborhood children and for the residents of San 
Jose. I am proud and grateful to thank Joyce Ellington for reminding us 
all that one person can truly make a difference in the lives of many.

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