[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ALICE GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with sadness today to honor my 
friend Alice Gray who died on February 10, 2006, at the age of 88. 
Surrounded by family and friends, she passed away peacefully in her 
Santa Rosa home. Known throughout Sonoma County for her leadership in 
the civil rights movement, Alice's strength, motherly warmth, and 
common sense were a hallmark of her style.
  Originally from Longview, Texas, Alice moved to California during 
World War II to join her husband Gilbert who was working in the 
shipyards in Marin City. In 1950 the family moved to Santa Rosa where 
there were few other black people, and Alice and Gilbert soon became 
community activists.
  In 1954 they co-founded the Sonoma Chapter of the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and led 
pickets to integrate local businesses. Alice also helped establish the 
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club in 
Sonoma, the Marin Rod and Gun Club, and the Community Baptist Church 
which has been led by the Reverend James Coffee for 45 years.
  In 1992 Alice and Gilbert launched the Gray Foundation, with an 
initial contribution of $150,000, to provide funds to students with the 
desire to further their education and serve their community. The Grays 
declared, ``The Gray Foundation is our effort to reverse 
unemployability, declining social values and violent self-fear. We seek 
to put our resources behind our words (put up or shut up) . . . As a 
people, we have to put our growing resources to use in support of our 
heroes/sheroes, our heritage, as well as persons and places of 
learning. We must listen and learn from each the traditions of self-
help and self-reliance that once gave our people strength.''
  The Foundation's programs embody that philosophy, from its 
scholarships for high school graduates to In Partnership, a unique 
enrichment program at Brook Hill Elementary School which focuses on the 
development of tools that young children will need for school success. 
Its theme is ``Students Taking an Active Role'' (the children are known 
as ``STARS'') and includes the South Park Grandmothers'' Club whose 
members, including Alice, went regularly to the school to be there for 
at-risk kids.
  Alice's husband Gilbert passed away in 1997 after 62 years of 
marriage. She remained active, including a drive to Los Angeles with 
her grandson Curtis last fall to attend the 18th annual California 
NAACP Convention. Always a high-spirited driver (called ``wheeling'' by 
the family), she drove for 100 miles on the trip, her first time behind 
the wheel since her husband's death. At the Convention, she met with 
the new president, Bruce Gordon, and many old friends from all over the 
state such as Willie Brown and Mervyn Dymally. She and Curtis attended 
seminars, including one on same sex marriage. Both of them were 
overwhelmed at the concluding banquet where Curtis was given the honor 
of doing an invocation and all 450 attendees sang Happy Birthday to 
Alice.

  Alice is survived by 7 great, great grandchildren, 28 great 
grandchildren, 32 grandchildren, 5 siblings, numerous nieces and 
nephews, eight of her nine children--Ann Gray Byrd, William Gray, 
Dorothy Woodward, Ida Johnson, James Gray, Charles Gray, Aubrey Gray, 
Robert Gray--and many close friends and admirers.
  Mr. Speaker, it was the Alice's and Gilbert's desire that ``the Gray 
Foundation serve as an example to others so that they, too, will put 
up, because we cannot afford to shut-up and still survive.'' Alice Gray 
herself was a shining example of someone who ``put up'', inspiring so 
many with her actions and her heart. I will miss my friend but know 
that her message of hope and compassion will continue to spread 
throughout the community and beyond.

                          ____________________