[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 115 (Friday, September 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           MILDRED L. DIXON: JUNE 26, 1923-SEPTEMBER 8, 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 15, 2006

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as the city of Winter 
Garden, Florida's first female and first African-American elected to 
the city commission in 1985, Mildred L. Dixon, 83, dedicated her life 
to serving her community.
  Commissioner Dixon first took office after filing a lawsuit 
denouncing Winter Garden's at-large elections as violating the 1965 
Voting Rights Act. She was the first black commissioner elected in the 
city's 77-year history. In seven terms, she ran unopposed three times 
and soundly defeated her opponents in four races.
  In 1983, 2 years before running for office, she was successful in 
initiating single member voting districts for commissioners in Winter 
Garden. Most recently, she initiated the city's current charter review. 
As an advocate for youth and senior programs, as well as affordable 
housing in the east Orange County community, she tirelessly pursued 
potential funding sources for area community centers, and possible 
joint ventures for low income and affordable housing developments.
  A retired nurse, she was a member of the 9th Street Church of Christ 
in Winter Garden since 1939. As a testament to her tenacity, and 
tireless love for her community, in 1992 the city named a street in the 
Horizons Oaks neighborhood in her honor. In 1999, the Mildred Dixon 
Activities Center, home of the West Orange Boys and Girls Clubs on West 
Crown Point Road was renamed in her honor.
  She was an officer in the West Orange Citizen Action Coalition; 
Orange County Community and Faith-based Coalition; West Orange 
Community Development Corporation; and the West Orange Community 
Housing Development Corporation. In addition, she was a member of the 
Orange County Community Action Board; West Orange Neighborhood Center 
for Families; the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
People; National League of Cities Black Caucus of Local Elected 
Officials; and the Tri-County, Florida and National League of Cities 
organizations.
  Mildred Dixon was a determined advocate for Winter Garden and its 
citizens. She will be missed.

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