[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E278-E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




LEE V. CHARLTON PRESENTED WITH THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DISTINGUISHED 
                             SERVICE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, while I very much enjoyed 
attending the Democratic Retreat and found it very valuable, it did 
have one downside for me: It meant that I had to miss the ceremony held 
at the Public Library in New Bedford on Saturday, February 7th, 
recognizing Lee V. Charlton for the great work he has performed on 
behalf of equality for all in Southeastern Massachusetts, and indeed 
for all that he has done in a wide variety of ways to improve the 
quality of life in the Greater New Bedford area.
  In recognition of his leadership role, including his longtime 
presidency of the New Bedford branch of the NAACP, his work in the 
YMCA, his efforts on behalf of United Front Housing, the leadership he 
has shown in our community action agency, People Acting in Community 
Endeavors, and many other areas, he was presented with the Martin 
Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award by Bridgewater State 
College at this year's Martin Luther King Breakfast. I very much regret 
the fact that the Inauguration of our new President also kept me from 
attending that event, because I would very much have liked to have been 
there to pay a very well-deserved tribute to Lee Charlton. As a Member 
of Congress representing New Bedford since 1993, I have benefitted 
enormously from Lee Charlton's commitment, wisdom and thoughtful 
approach to public policy.
  Madam Speaker, as a dedicated public servant, serving as plant 
engineer at New Bedford High School and the Greater New Bedford 
Regional Vocational Technical High School, and as a citizen activist, 
Lee Charlton has been a source of strength on whom others have relied.
  It is entirely fitting that he was given the Martin Luther King 
Award, and that the people of his home city of New Bedford honored him 
on February 7th. Lee Charlton is an example of the kind of citizenship 
we should be promoting and I ask that the information about Mr. 
Charlton and the award he won be printed here.

         The Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award


                          Mr. Lee V. Charlton

       Mr. Charlton has been president of the New Bedford branch 
     of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
     People (NAACP) since 1983, He has also held office on the 
     regional level, representing 20 NAACP branches in 
     Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and 
     Vermont.
       His affiliations are numerous as he has served on boards of 
     directors for the Greater New Bedford YMCA, the Salvation 
     Army of New Bedford, United Front Housing, South Shore 
     Minority Business Circle, People Acting in Community 
     Endeavors, New Bedford Historical Society, South Center 
     Community Development Corp. and New Bedford Economic 
     Development Council, among many others.
       Prior to his retirement, he was plant engineer at both New 
     Bedford High School and later at Greater New Bedford Regional 
     Vocational Technical High School. Previously, he was employed 
     with IBM and at the Job Corps Center of New Bedford. He 
     served for eight years in the United States Air Force in 
     civil engineering in the field of steam engineering, HVAC and 
     plumbing.
       He has earned numerous professional and community awards in 
     recognition and appreciation of his service and 
     contributions, especially in the arena of social justice.
       A native of West Virginia, he is the husband of Francisca 
     (Britto) Charlton. They have two children, Kenneth L. 
     Charlton, and Karen L. Charlton, and a great-grandchild, Lee 
     V. Charlton II. Mr. Charlton is a graduate of Huntington High 
     School in Huntington, WVa, the Steam Engineering/Utilitiesman 
     School of the United States Air Force and the United States 
     Navy in Oxnard, CA; Customer Engineering School at IBM in 
     Boston; and the Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Services 
     Engineers in Boston.
                                  ____


                            Lee V. Charlton

       Lee V. Charlton was born in Coalwood, West Virginia, the 
     son and grandson of bituminous coal miners. Charlton attended 
     all-black segregated schools until 1956 when he transferred 
     from Frederick Douglass High School to his neighborhood 
     school, the predominantly white, Huntington High School in 
     Huntington, West Virginia. Charlton made local history by 
     being the first African to show up and play for the school's 
     football team. While stationed in at Keno Air Force Station 
     in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Charlton and two other airmen from 
     Kingsley Field requested the assistance of the local NAACP. 
     The Klamath Falls Branch of the NAACP met in private homes 
     and was at least 60% white. The Klamath Falls Branch inspired 
     Charlton to ``pay back the support when- ever possible.'' 
     Charlton was quoted as saying ``because the NAACP and the 
     state of Oregon upheld my civil rights, while the military 
     denied three career airmen the right to wear their military 
     uniforms to the discrimination hearing. I will forever 
     grateful and indebted to the cause of the NAACP.
       Charlton's expressed indebtedness to the NAACP proved to be 
     no idle declaration. Charlton served as 2nd Vice and 1st Vice 
     President from 1978-1982. In 1983 Lee V. Charlton began the 
     first of twelve consecutive terms of President of the New 
     Bedford Branch, twenty four years of stellar leadership to 
     the organization that he held so dear to his heart. In 
     addition to service to the New Bedford Branch, he has served 
     in numerous capacities with the NAACP New England Area 
     Conference of Branches. This including being elected three 
     times as 1st Vice President to NEAC/NAACP. His contributions 
     and impact have been realized throughout the region. During 
     those twenty four years Charlton served with distinction, 
     raising the stature, stability, and accomplishments for and 
     through the Branch.
       In 1996, Lee Charlton joined with former City Councilor, 
     George Rogers to move the

[[Page E279]]

     City of New Bedford to pay proper tribute to one its greatest 
     historical figures, the slave abolitionist, feminist, and 
     champion of universal human rights, Frederick Douglass, who 
     formerly lived in New Bedford. Charlton and Rogers were 
     instrumental in getting a marvelous monument to Frederick 
     Douglass erected in front of City Hall. More than erecting 
     the monument, the effort served to bring greater attention 
     and awareness of people of New Bedford to the historical 
     contributions of New Bedford's people of color. To enhance 
     his effectiveness as President of the NAACP Carlton has 
     volunteered to serve on many community executive boards or 
     Committees. The following is a partial list: Chairman; New 
     Bedford Title I Parents Advisory Council, Moby Dick Boy 
     Scouts/OLOA Church; Chairman, webelo Leader, Scoutmaster, 
     Executive Boards; SouthCoast YMCA, Salvation Army, People 
     Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE), United Front Homes 
     Board of Directors, New Bedford Economic Development Council, 
     Cooperator Compass Bank, Garden Of Peace (Boston), New 
     Bedford District Wide School Improvement Council, South 
     Central Community Development Corporation, First Vice 
     President; South Shore Minority Business Circle.

                          ____________________