[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1223]]
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WILLIAM STILL, ``FATHER OF THE 
                         UNDERGROUND RAILROAD''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2003

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory 
of Mr. William Still and to celebrate the upcoming National Underground 
Railroad Family Reunion Festival. Mr. Still, known as the ``Father of 
the Underground Railroad,'' was one of the primary architects of the 
legendary passage that assisted slaves in achieving their long sought 
freedom in the North.
  From early childhood, William Still worked on his father's farm in 
Burlington County, New Jersey. When he was 23, he left the family farm 
for Philadelphia, arriving poor and friendless. But, as a testament to 
his determined nature and a foreshadowing of his future success, Mr. 
Still taught himself to read so by 1847, he was able to hold a 
secretarial position in the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of 
Slavery. While in this position, Mr. Still became directly involved in 
assisting African-Americans with their escape from the institution of 
slavery, and was able to provide boarding for many of the fugitives who 
rested in Philadelphia before continuing their journey to Canada.
  William Still became well known for his hard work and dedication, and 
in 1951 when Philadelphia abolitionists organized the Vigilance 
Committee to assist fugitives traveling through the city, Mr. Still was 
elected chairman. During this time, Mr. Still used his house as one of 
the busiest stations on the Underground Railroad, being awoken 
endlessly and tirelessly throughout the night to provide fugitives with 
clothing and food. By some estimates, Mr. Still helped a total of 649 
slaves obtain freedom. In addition, Mr. Still interviewed the fleeing 
slaves, including the famous conductor, Harriet Tubman, and kept 
careful records so that families and friends would be able to locate 
their relatives in the future. The result was his 1872 publication, The 
Underground Railroad; a seminal work documenting the perilous journeys 
slaves took for freedom.
  In addition to his work on the Underground Railroad, Mr. Still, an 
active member of the Presbyterian Church, established a Mission School 
in North Philadelphia and organized one of the early YMCAs for black 
youth. Through these efforts, Mr. Still helped African-American youth 
embrace their newfound freedom, and it was with his strong leadership 
that the African-American community successfully made the difficult 
transition from the cruelty of slavery to the joys of emancipation.

  In honor of his esteemed and gracious work, the William Still 
Underground Railroad Foundation, Inc., as requested by the Harriet 
Tubman Historical Society, is sponsoring the first annual National 
Underground Railroad Family Reunion Festival to take place in Camden, 
NJ and Philadelphia, PA from June 27-29, 2003. The three-day 
celebration will reunite descendants of conductors, abolitionists, 
stationmasters, fugitives, and all those whose ancestors were 
associated with the Underground Railroad in a public arena.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Mr. William 
Still, a man who dedicated his life to ensure the freedom and survival 
of others. In addition, I offer my sincere admiration and appreciation 
to the William Still Underground Railroad Foundation for planning and 
sponsoring the first annual National Underground Railroad Family 
Reunion Festival.

                          ____________________