[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E715-E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING NAACP MID-MANHATTAN BRANCH'S SALUTE TO NAACP WOMEN OF 
                               EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch of the Metropolitan 
Council of NAACP Branches as they pay tribute to the everlasting 
accomplishments and contributions of the NAACP Women of Excellence in 
celebration of Women's History Month and the Centennial Anniversary of 
the

[[Page E716]]

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
  NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch honors the Honorable Hazel N. Dukes, 
President of the New York State Conference of NAACP Branches; the 
Honorable Mildred Roxborough of the NAACP National Development 
Department; the Honorable Laura D. Blackburne, Counsel for the New York 
State Conference of NAACP Branches & NAACP Special Contribution Fund; 
the Honorable Paula Brown Edme of the NAACP National Development 
Department; the Honorable Gloria Benfield, Membership Chair for New 
York State Conference of NAACP Branches; and the Honorable Shirley 
Stewart Farmer, Co-Founder of the NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch. As a Life 
Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
People, I am proud to join Mid-Manhattan Branch in saluting these NAACP 
Women of Excellence.
  Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil 
rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the 
world are the premiere advocates for civil rights in their communities, 
conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the 
public and private sectors. The Mid-Manhattan Branch recently 
celebrated its 40th Anniversary since its founding in 1966.
  In the mid 1960s a group of citizens, concerned that there was no 
NAACP Branch in the Mid-Manhattan area, met for several months to plan 
a branch. Over 500 letters co-signed by Roy Wilkins and Ralph Bunche, 
invited hopefully interested residents to a meeting at Freedom House 
(120 Wall Street, New York, NY).
  For forty years, the Mid-Manhattan Branch has been an advocate for 
all its citizens in the struggle for civil rights and equality. Today, 
the Branch plays an active role in confronting the gaps and disparities 
in healthcare, economics, education funding, Criminal Justice, 
diversity in the Courts and in the Judiciary.
  Their efforts continue in voter education, registration and 
mobilization, as well as youth development and enrichment programs. 
Today, the Mid-Manhattan Branch has over 600 members, with eight 
working Committees (Education, Health, Fundraising, Legal Redress, 
Membership, Civic Engagement, Veteran Affairs, and Youth Council).

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