[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO SARAH KEYS EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sarah Keys 
Evans, a distinguished member of hte Brooklyn community. It behooves us 
to pay tribute to this outstanding leader and I hope my colleagues will 
join me in recognizing her impressive accomplishments.
  Sarah Keys Evans was born in rural Washington, NC, in 1929. As the 
second oldest of seven children, she lived in a small community and is 
a proud graduate of Mercy Catholic High School. She went on to Perth 
Amboy, NJ Hospital School of Nursing in 1948, and moved to New York 
that December. She found a kind home at the Franciscan Handmaids of 
Mary Convent in Harlem for Career Girls, and remained in New York for 2 
years before enlisting in the Women Army Corps in 1951.
  Following her honorable discharge as a private first class in 1953, 
she worked full-time and attended beauty school at night. What followed 
was a successful 30-year career as a hair stylist, including her 
ownership of Glamour Nook, Ltd. However, Sarah Keys Evans had no way of 
knowing that her stand for dignity would lay the foundation for Rosa 
Parks and the Montgomery, AL, bus boycott.
  In August 1952, while traveling home on furlough from the Army in 
uniform, Sarah Keys Evans was asked to give up her seat on the bus for 
a white sailor. She refused and was arrested and fined $25.00 for her 
actions. Her proud stance led to a 3-year legal battle that culminated 
in the historic ruling that outlawed segregation in interstate bus 
travel. In November of 1955, the Interstate Commerce Commission 
reversed the ``separate but equal'' policy and ruled that black 
passengers who paid the same amount for rail and bus fare as white 
passengers must receive the same service, without being shunted into 
seats reserved only for Blacks.
  Sarah Keys Evans's brave actions resulted in many well-deserved 
honors. Her contributions to America's civil rights movement brought an 
award from the New York State Beauty Culture Association and the Martin 
Luther King, Jr. ``Living the Dream Award.''
  The former Sarah L. Keys married George C. Evans, Jr., a native of 
Beaumont, TX, in 1958. She has lived in Brooklyn since 1954.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent on this body to recognize 
the accomplishments of Sarah Keys Evans, as she offers her talents, 
perseverance and community services for the good of our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, Sarah Keys Evan's selfless service has continuously 
demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes her most 
worthy of our recognition today.
  Mr. Speaker, please join our community in honoring Sarah Keys Evans 
for her dedication and outstanding service to our community.




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