[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO MRS. HORTENSE RIDELY TATE ON HER 104TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize Mrs. Hortense Ridely Tate on her 104th birthday.
  Born on March 9, 1899, Mrs. Tate was aware at an early age of the 
importance of education in her life. Upon completing high school, Mrs. 
Tate enrolled in Washburn College where she began her studies to become 
an English teacher, inspired by her father who was an elementary school 
principal. After completing college in 1921, Mrs. Tate took her first 
job at the Montclair YWCA in Montclair, New Jersey as Director of 
Cultural Programs. Over the next seventy-five years, Mrs. Tate made the 
YWCA her home away from home, serving as a committee member, board 
member, and eventually its President.
  In addition to her involvement at the YWCA, Mrs. Tate took a position 
in 1930 as a teacher at the Robert Treat Junior High School in Newark, 
New Jersey. While there she rose to the position of head guidance 
counselor and was an early mentor to me as I started my teaching career 
at Robert Treat Junior High School.
  While being extremely involved in the education community, Mrs. Tate 
also has a long history of community activism. She was a founding 
member of the National Council for Negro Women started by Mary McCloud 
Bethune as well as the Montclair Public Library and Human Relations 
Council, the League of Women Voters, her church, and the Alpha Kappa 
Alpha sorority.
  Through her community service as well as her dedication to educating 
our country's children, Mrs. Tate has always been an active member in 
the 10th congressional district of New Jersey. It was a distinct honor 
and privilege to have worked with her and I wish her the very best on 
this momentous occasion. Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues here in 
the U.S. House of Representatives join me today on wishing a very happy 
birthday to Mrs. Tate and in wishing her health and happiness in the 
years to come.

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