[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E644-E645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING FLORENCE AND HAROLD PAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 2010

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, Harold and Florence were both born in 
Charleston, South Carolina where Florence attended the prestigious 
Avery Institute and graduated from Burke High School in that city. 
Florence moved to New York City where she attended Washington Business 
Institute. During his high school years at Burke High School in 
Charleston, Harold Payne excelled in athletics, in particular baseball 
and basketball. He was a star member of the Burke High School Senior 
Basketball team which won the South Carolina State Championship in 
1949. Harold obtained a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953. 
Harold later attended Bronx Community College.
  Mrs. Payne's professional pursuits took her to various organizations 
including the New York Telephone Company, Jujamcyn Theatres, Fine Arts 
Pillows Inc. as well as a private attorney, Donnaree Banton, Esq. In 
1997, I asked Florence to work for me. She fulfilled her dream of 
helping other on a daily basis.
  Harold served in the Army during the Korean conflict in the 8th Army 
Honor Guard. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff 
Sergeant and in 1956 began a career with the United States Postal 
Service while simultaneously working as a paraprofessional for 17 years 
with the NYC Board of Education. After 34 years with the Postal 
Service, Harold retired and became Director of the Tilden Towers Senior 
Citizens Center. It is there that he fulfilled his dream of serving his 
community. He retired from Tilden Towers Senior Center in January of 
this year.
  Both Harold and Florence donate time to charitable and civic 
organizations, it being their belief that one must give back to the 
community in a meaningful way. This they did by actively participating 
in many endeavors including: the Office of Black Ministry for the 
Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the Parent Teacher Association of 
Public School 16, NIA: A Minority Women's Professional Network, The 
Incarcerated Mothers Program, the Food Pantry at the Edenwald-Gun Hill 
Neighborhood Center and other worthwhile endeavors.
  They are most proud of their 50 year commitment to one another in 
addition to their role as parents and grandparents. The Paynes met each 
other through Florence's late sister Anna and her husband, Henry. On 
April 23, 1960, the Paynes were married in St. Aloysius Church in 
Harlem. They set up residence in the Bronx and have lived there for 
their entire married life. They are the loving parents of Lisa and 
Harold Jr. with a son-in-law, Terrance. They are also the proud 
grandparents of granddaughter Yiesha Danielle and grandson Malcolm.
  I ask everyone who believes in love to join me in celebrating Harold 
and Florence's Golden Wedding anniversary and in wishing them every 
happiness.

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