[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO HARRIET TUBMAN AND THE 2006 HARRIET TUBMAN SPIRIT AWARD 
                               RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significance 
of the Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards, created to honor women of New York 
State who have perpetuated Tubman's legacy and her humanitarian 
accomplishments and to praise the 15 women chosen to be recipients of 
such a prestigious honor. Harriet Ross Tubman was a great liberator who 
was a monument to courage and determination in the fight for freedom 
and human rights for slaves in bondage.
  Harriet Tubman was called the ``Moses'' of her people. She was born 
on a plantation in Maryland, in or around 1820, and escaped from 
slavery in 1849. Upon gaining her freedom, Harriet Tubman settled in 
Philadelphia where she met William Still, the Philadelphia 
``Stationmaster'' of the ``Underground Railroad.'' In 1850, Harriet 
Tubman became a ``conductor'' on the Underground Railroad and 
eventually became the most influential of all the ``conductors'' by 
returning to the South 19 times through the Underground Railroad, 
freeing 300 slaves.
  In the mid-1850's, Harriet Tubman made the acquaintance of United 
States Senator, Secretary of State and former New York State Governor 
William H. Seward and his wife, Frances, in Auburn, New York. In 1857, 
the Sewards provided a home for Harriet Tubman in Auburn, which she 
later purchased and used as new headquarters for the Underground 
Railroad. Since 1995, New York State has assisted with efforts to 
recognize Harriet Tubman's legacy. In 1999, the State Office of Parks, 
Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) helped to document and 
list Tubman's historic brick home, her church and her gravesite in the 
Fort Hill Cemetery to the State and National Registers of Historic 
Places.
  In February 2001, Governor Pataki announced the creation of a $1.4 
million Underground Railroad Heritage Trail Grant Program to enhance 
heritage tourism and support site improvements at historic sites and 
interpretive centers commemorating the Underground Railroad across New 
York State. In addition, the Governor committed more than $280,000 in 
Bond Act funds to restore Harriet Tubman's home in Auburn. An 
additional $100,000 was provided in 2002 to help restore the Harriet 
Tubman Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, also in 
Auburn, New York.

  In 2003, Governor George E. Pataki proclaimed March 10th as ``Harriet 
Tubman Day''. He then officially signed into law a bill designating the 
day as a day of commemoration in New York State for the life and heroic 
contributions of Harriet Ross Tubman. Governor Pataki chose March 10th 
because it is the day Harriet Tubman died in 1913 at the age of 93. As 
part of the State's tribute, the second annual New York State 
Governor's Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards were presented to 15 women, 
whose accomplishments strongly embraced the spirit of Harriet Tubman,
  The 15 honorees have shown through their tireless efforts significant 
contributions to the culture and well being of New York and have paved 
the way for future leaders in the ongoing fight for human rights. All 
of these women, like Harriet Tubman, possess a pioneering spirit of 
excellence.
  The 2006 Harriet Tubman Spirit Award recipients were: Zenaida Chape', 
NYC Humanitarian and Community Advocate; Sarah Curry-Cobb, Pioneer and 
Civil Rights Advocate from Albany: Dr. Joan O. Dawson, NYC Educator and 
Youth Advocate; Patricia A. Devine, Youth Advocate from Albany; Maria 
Ginter, Diversity and Community Advocate from Albany; Mona Golub, 
Pioneer and Cultural Arts Advocate from Schenectady; Alvania Hill, 
Educator from Albany; Sharon Jordan Holley, Educator and Historian from 
Buffalo; Reverend Carolyn Peterson-Vaccaro, Women and Family Advocate 
from Albany; Frances Ethel Powell Pratt, Civil Rights Advocate from 
Nyack; Ruth Russell, Health and Community Advocate from Rensselaer; Dr. 
Cecilia Sanz, Children and Family Advocate from Albany; Rose Stuart, 
Pioneer and Family Advocate from Albany; Meilin Tan, NYC Humanitarian 
and Entrepreneur and Benita Zahn, Health and Media Advocate from 
Albany.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this stellar award and the 
very deserving recipients during the 2nd anniversary month of the New 
York State Governor's Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards.

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