[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 22 (Wednesday, March 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E327-E328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA AND SAMUEL RICHARDSON DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2005

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to take part in the celebration 
of Black History Month by recognizing distinguished civil and human 
rights leaders from the state of Minnesota: Virginia and Samuel 
Richardson.
  Samuel Richardson was born in Longview, Texas where he lived until he 
enrolled in Morehouse College. He moved to Minnesota in 1950 and 
immediately joined the local branch of the NAACP.

[[Page E328]]

  Wanting to see his children grow up in a place that valued equality, 
Samuel Richardson fought for it in numerous ways, such as by picketing 
the F.W. Woolworth's in St. Paul to advocate for equal access and jobs 
for African Americans there. He advocated for fair housing. He marched 
with Martin Luther King in Washington in 1963. He joined numerous 
organizations and served as their leader.
  Virginia Bardwell Richardson was born in Huntington, Tennessee. She 
attended the University of Minnesota, became a mother, and has always 
been passionate about education. She joined local activist 
organizations and served in leadership positions throughout her entire 
adult life.
  When Samuel was hired by Supermarket giant Applebaum's in a prominent 
marketing position, he was one of the only black advertising directors 
west of Chicago. After a long career with Applebaum's, he became the 
Minnesota State Commissioner of Human Rights. There, he focused on new 
laws to address discrimination of all kinds, and to promote protections 
for people with disabilities. He then worked for the State of 
Minnesota's Department of Education, where he remained from 1971 until 
1997.
  While raising four children, Virginia was a critical part of 
volunteer organizations, including Assistant Chair of the Minneapolis 
Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, Minneapolis Public Schools' quality 
committee and the Minnesota Epilepsy Board. Almost 25 years ago, she 
went to work full-time at the PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition 
for Educational Rights). Today, she serves as its manager of Parent 
Training.
  Samuel and Virginia are founders of the Bryant Village Initiative. 
This neighborhood-based organization works to make residents' voices 
heard about the effectiveness of city and county programs. It also 
provides critical input to the police department and welfare programs 
to help make their work more successful.
  The Richardsons are heavily involved in the Oakland Methodist Church. 
Both were active in their children's school Parent Teacher 
Associations. They have also been active politically, including work on 
the campaign to help the first black woman Mayor of Minneapolis get her 
start in politics.
  ``Most people are simply sitting and waiting to be led. All you have 
to do is step up and do it,'' Samuel Richardson said. ``You want to see 
change and you want to see people enjoy all the things the Constitution 
offers.''
  Mr. Speaker, this generous activist couple is one example of the 
critical leadership required for the change that makes our nation a 
better place. Samuel and Virginia Richardson have advocated for 
positive change in our country on behalf of African Americans, women, 
the disabled, and the poor. I can only hope that today we are 
developing leaders for the future who have the Richardsons' same high 
level of dedication to public service.

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