[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 39 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E564-E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO ELIJAH ``PAT'' LARKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the late 
Elijah ``Pat'' Larkins, a dedicated public servant, tireless community 
activist and the city of Pompano Beach, Florida's first African-
American mayor, who recently succumbed to a 16-month struggle with 
brain cancer.
  Born a farmer's son in Pompano on April 29, 1942, Mr. Larkins, the 
eldest of nine siblings, graduated from what is now Blanche Ely High 
School. While a student at Ely High School, he led a boycott of classes 
when a Senior Day gathering of the county's three black high schools 
was cancelled. Following his attendance at Tennessee State University, 
Mr. Larkins was named a Ford Foundation fellow, which allowed him to 
attend the 1970 National Housing Institute.
  In 1972, Mr. Larkins became a federally certified housing-development 
specialist who created the Broward County Minority Builders Coalition. 
The Coalition's mission is to ensure black-owned companies participated 
in South Florida's construction boom, an economic expansion that 
defined the area for years to come. In addition to his involvement with 
the Broward County Minority Builders Coalition, Mr. Larkins was a 
director of his own not-for-profit company, Malar Construction Co. in 
Fort Lauderdale.
  While serving as a City Commissioner for 19 years and Mayor of 
Pompano Beach for seven terms, Mr. Larkin helped diversify the fire 
department and police while also advocating on behalf of Pompano 
Beach's predominantly black northwest quadrant. Mr. Larkin was also 
instrumental in changing Hammondville Road to Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Boulevard. One of his proudest achievements was getting the E. Pat 
Larkins Community Center, a center that provides the setting for 
meetings, banquets and other social events, up and running.
  As a parishioner at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church for over 30 
years, ``His greatness was measured by his servitude,'' the

[[Page E565]]

Reverend Robert Stanley declared. Reverend Stanley continued saying, 
``For him, the position of mayor wasn't a position of clout. It was a 
place to make change.'' Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher stated: ``his 
involvement in the city is immeasurable.'' When asked his legacy, Mr. 
Larkins said, ``I have always had a great affinity and love for this 
city. I hope when it's all over it's said that Pat gave it all he 
had.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and all the members of this esteemed 
legislative body to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and 
accomplishments of Mr. Elijah Pat Larkins. I am honored to pay tribute 
to Mr. Larkin for his invaluable services and tireless dedication to 
the South Florida community.

                          ____________________