[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF ANNA CHATMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Anna Chatman, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 
businesswoman, community activist and friend and mentor to many.
  Mrs. Chatman lived her life with great joy and in endless commitment 
to her faith, family and community. Together, she and her beloved 
husband, the late Reverend Marcellus Chatman, raised their daughters, 
Marcella Caffie and Ruby Alexander. Her devotion to family extended 
outward into the community, where she touched the lives of countless 
individuals through her focus on social justice and political 
empowerment. In 1969, Mrs. Chatman founded the Harvest Day Care Center. 
As owner and operator, she secured funding in order to provide quality 
day care for mothers on welfare, which enabled numerous parents to 
break through the wall of poverty by having a safe and affordable place 
to bring their children while they worked. The Harvest Day Care Center 
remains in operation today, run by Mrs. Chatman's daughter, Ruby 
Alexander.
  Mrs. Chatman's inner light, dynamic personality and her ability to 
connect with people created lasting impressions on those around her and 
served to forever change the landscape of the Democratic Party in 
Cuyahoga County. Even though she had no prior experience in politics, 
then U.S. Congressman Louis Stokes asked Mrs. Chatman to accept the 
role of executive director of the 21st District Caucus (which became 
the 11th District Caucus), knowing she could rally the support of 
African-Americans who felt overlooked by the Democratic Party. Mrs. 
Chatman inspired and guided countless individuals to become empowered 
and involved in the caucus. Under her direction, the caucus evolved to 
become one of the most powerful political organizations in the Nation, 
attracting up to 50,000 people to the caucus's annual Labor Day picnic 
and existing as a catalyst of political action and societal justice.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and remembrance 
of Anna Chatman, whose joyous life reflected great joy and an 
unwavering focus on lifting the lives of others. I offer my deep 
condolences to her daughters, Marcella and Ruby; to her grandchildren, 
great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and to her extended 
family members and many friends. Although she will be greatly missed, 
her singular life, framed by love, integrity, conviction and strength, 
will shine forever in the hearts of her friends and loved ones and will 
forever illuminate the soul and hope of our entire community.

                          ____________________