[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E502-E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN TRIBUTE TO PRESTON WILCOX, EDUCATOR AND ACTIVIST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life 
and achievements of Preston Wilcox and his commitment to community 
empowerment, education, and public service. In 2006, the passing of 
Preston Wilcox removed from the world a scholar whose academic stature 
was as profound as its practical application. Though he is no longer 
with us we will not forget the contributions he has made to Harlem and 
to society at large.
  Preston Wilcox was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1923. He moved to New 
York after World War II. He went on to graduate from the City College 
of New York in 1949 and in 1957 he earned his Master's degree in social 
work at Columbia University. Mr. Wilcox utilized his skills to benefit 
the Harlem community from 1958-1964 where he served as a program 
consultant to the East Harlem Summer Festival, a United Neighborhood 
Houses initiative which was designed to prevent juvenile delinquency. 
He continued in this vein for the Massive Economic Neighborhood 
Development, and anti-poverty program.
  As a teacher, Mr. Wilcox taught courses in social work theory and 
community organization at Columbia University's School of Social Work, 
Clark Atlanta University, Medger Evers College, along with other 
institutions of higher education. As a practitioner, Mr. Wilcox was a 
strong advocate for parent participation in curriculum development and 
in the hiring of school supervisors and teachers. He also participated 
as a social researcher in the Princeton University six week summer 
studies program for junior high school students for what has now become 
the Upward Bound Program.
  After twenty years of involvement in the black educational movement 
he developed AFRAM Associates, a public service agency to provide 
technical assistance to community groups in the areas of education, 
economic development, and consumer rights. AFRAM operated a parent-
implemented program in education funded by the Follow Through Program 
Division of Compensatory Education of the

[[Page E503]]

U.S. Office of Education. AFRAM also operated a farm experiment, AFRAM 
Farm, in upstate New York, as a campsite and recreational center for 
urban-bound families and groups.
  After his death, the acquisition of his personal and professional 
papers, writings, office files, and printed matter documenting his dual 
career as an educator and community organizer, by the Schomburg Center 
comprising twenty-one linear feet, add an important name to the roster 
of black intellectuals who made Harlem their home.
  Today, I am proud to pay tribute to the life of Mr. Preston Wilcox.