[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HISTORY OF THE BLACK HERITAGE STAMP SERIES AND HONORING 
                            CLARENCE IRVING

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                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during the week of 
the World Philatelic Exhibition being held at the Washington Convention 
Center, to recognize the history of the Black Heritage Stamp Series and 
to honor my former constituent, Chairman and Founder of the Black 
American Heritage Foundation, Mr. Clarence Irving.
  In 1976, Mr. Irving conceived the idea of commemorating Black 
American Women on U.S. Postage Stamps. His proposal was that either of 
two women, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune or Mary Church Terrell be so 
commemorated. This proposal was presented to the Honorable Joseph P. 
Addabbo who represented my district at the time and the initiative 
became part of the activities surrounding the bicentennial celebration 
of the United States.
  Two years later, the U.S. Postal Service created a completely new 
series commemorating Black Americans, with Harriet Tubman chosen as the 
first historical figure to start the ``Black Heritage USA Series''. 
Each year another stamp appears in this commemorative series honoring a 
prominent African American figure.
  Today, at 82, Clarence Irving still heads the Black American Heritage 
Foundation, organizing or supporting African American art initiatives 
throughout the country. I am grateful for his determination in 
realizing his vision and acknowledge him as the ``Father of the Black 
Heritage Stamp Series''.

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