[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E266-E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL J. SIMMONS: ADVOCATE, ACTIVIST AND FRIEND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of my colleagues I rise to 
remember the lifelong contributions that Samuel J. Simmons made to his 
community, to issues affecting the aging and fair housing, and to this 
nation. I would like to extend my deepest regrets to his family and 
loved ones. We all mourn the loss of this great man.
  For the past twenty years Samuel J. Simmons has worked tirelessly as 
president and chief executive of the National Caucus on Black Aged, 
Inc., which is dedicated to serving the needs of the most vulnerable 
elderly Americans, and particularly aging African-Americans.
  As Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity at the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during the civil rights era, Mr. 
Simmons made enormous and lasting contributions to the infrastructure 
of fair employment practices that our nation holds so dear today. In 
doing so, Mr. Simmons administered fair housing laws, and wrote 
advertising guidelines to include the fair housing symbol.

[[Page E267]]

  Following his tenure at HUD, he worked to formulate training programs 
for managers of government-assisted housing and certifications for 
managers of elderly housing programs, as the founding president of 
National Center for Housing Management, created by presidential 
executive order. His longtime work, commitment and expertise in the 
area of equal housing initiatives and home ownership for all Americans, 
was recognized with his election to the board of directors of Fannie 
Mae.
  Samuel J. Simmons's service to this nation began decades ago, when he 
worked with the Detroit NAACP and Michigan State labor and employment 
groups while our nation was beginning to address the injustice and 
inequality that African-Americans faced in the workplace. When he 
arrived in Washington, he brought energy and determination to the Post 
Office Department, where he fought for fair appeals procedures that 
would adequately address the grievance and advancement issues of 
minorities. For his hard work and results produced, he received a 
Meritorious Service Award.
  Samuel J. Simmons spent his lifetime selflessly working to improve 
the access that the most vulnerable Americans have to employment, 
housing and affordable healthcare, and he will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________