[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING BESSIEFRANCES J. MEADOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
of Bessiefrances J. Meador of Riverdale, New York. The residents of 
California's 9th Congressional District remember Beth as a brilliant 
woman, an astute politician, a dedicated community activist, an 
accomplished attorney, and a loving friend to many. Beth passed away on 
March 30, 2007.
  Beth spent her early years in Independence, Missouri and Colorado 
Springs, Colorado. In 1955, she and her family returned to the Kansas 
City area. There, they joined the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church 
where Beth was very active as a youth and young adult.
  Upon her graduation from Sumner High School in 1961, Beth began her 
undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas. After earning her 
B.A., she obtained her law degree from the University of California at 
Berkeley, and was admitted to the bar in California and New York.
  Beth led a distinguished career in the legal profession, serving in a 
number of important roles. She was an administrative attorney in the 
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, and 
also maintained a private law practice. Beth worked as a litigation 
compliance officer for the New York City Child Welfare Administration 
and as Minority Business Specialist for the State of New York and the 
New York City Transit Authority. She previously worked as Assistant 
Director in the Office of Legal Services of the State Bar of 
California. In the last years of her life, Beth was a teacher in the 
New York City Public School System.
  Beth was active in politics throughout her life. Living in Oakland, 
California in the 1970s, she ran for the State Assembly, and was 
actively involved in many local campaigns. She participated in the 1972 
National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana, as well as 
numerous State and national political conventions. Delegates always 
sought her counsel, for as much as she was an idealist, she was also 
very practical in seeking strategies and initiatives for making the 
United States a better country.
  Always actively involved in her community, Beth was centrally 
involved in a number of organizations. An accomplished concert pianist, 
she contributed her talent as the youth music director at the historic 
Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, where she was also a member. Beth 
belonged to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Coalition of 
100 Black Women.
  On a personal note, Beth was my roommate for a year, and I was 
privileged to benefit from her wise counsel, her musical genius, and 
our thought-provoking discussions. After Beth moved into her own 
apartment, as a generous gesture of gratitude she gave me a beautiful 
set of dinnerware which I use to this day. Her memory and her love are 
deeply etched in my heart and in the hearts of many.
  The last time I saw Beth was in September 2006, when we celebrated my 
sister Mildred's birthday in New York City. We enjoyed our evening with 
Congressman Charlie Rangel, who welcomed us with open arms and generous 
hospitality to his district in Harlem. Beth was delighted to be with 
Congressman Rangel and enjoyed the evening tremendously. Little did we 
know that these would be our last moments together.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
great human being, our beloved Beth Meador. We extend our deepest 
condolences to Beth's family, and our deepest gratitude for sharing 
this great woman with us. She will be deeply missed. May her soul rest 
in peace.

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