[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 36 (Monday, March 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E506-E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HONORABLE ANDREW DeGRAFFEN-
                                 REIDT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 2, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life and achievements of my dear friend, The Honorable Andrew 
DeGraffenreidt. Andrew died last week, at age 80, in a West Palm Beach 
hospital, his health having deteriorated since breaking his hip socket 
in October. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most 
difficult time, and I hope that they may take some comfort in knowing 
that Andrew had a profound impact on those in our community and made 
significant contributions to the lives of so many Floridians.
  Andrew was born in Kansas City, Missouri and reared in Hollandale, 
Mississippi. From an early age he showed the remarkable intellect that 
would serve him so well in the years to come, earning a Bachelor of 
Science degree from Tougaloo College, Mississippi, where he also met 
his wife, Eddie Pearl. Andrew went on to earn a Master of Science 
degree in Zoology from Pennsylvania State University in State College, 
Pennsylvania.
  Andrew put his education to work immediately, starting work as a 
teacher at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, before moving to 
Everglades Junior High, where he headed the science department, 
retiring in 1982. Additionally, he was the teacher for several programs 
for the Broward County School's ITV Center, including a program that 
focused on the contributions of minorities to the development of the 
United States. Andrew was a magnificent mentor to so many that he 
taught and had a profound impact on the lives of his students.
  Madam Speaker, Andrew had also had a distinguished career in 
publicly-elected office, and it is perhaps through this career that he 
had the greatest influence. Andrew was the first African American 
elected to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, serving three terms 
from 1973-1979. He achieved this office before the city created 
political districts in 1988, and remains the only African American to 
have won this office when it was contested city-wide. Andrew was also 
the first African-American Superintendent of Parks for the city, and 
served on the boards of Broward County's Urban League and United Way.
  Andrew was a tremendous public servant. He was a champion of the 
city's neglected minority neighborhoods, working to establish a

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Youth Advisory Board and to improve city infrastructure. He worked on 
reforming the city's police department, in particular pushing for the 
hiring of minorities and encouraging black and white police officers to 
learn from each other. He also played a key role in opening the Von D. 
Mizell Community Center in Fort Lauderdale's Dorsey-Riverbend 
neighborhood. The significance of his work was recognized when, in 
2002, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission named the recreation center 
at Bass Park in his honor and passed a resolution naming Andrew as an 
Honored Founder of the city.
  Madam Speaker, I will treasure Andrew's memory, and although his life 
has come to an end, his legacy will live on for generations to come. He 
will be remembered for his generosity and poise, characteristics which 
enabled him to improve the lives, and earn the respect, of all those 
who knew him. I am proud and fortunate to call Andrew my friend, and 
will miss him dearly.

                          ____________________