[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 4 (Friday, January 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE LEGACY OF REVEREND NORRIS K. ALLEN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2012

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Norris K. Allen, Sr. was the 
founder of the Martin Luther King Celebration of Rome, Georgia in 1987, 
which was held at the Rome City Auditorium. Rev. Clyde Hill, Sr. was 
honored at that event with the Outstanding Community Service Award for 
his leadership guiding Rome through the Era of Integration. Hill was a 
voice for the black community in the early 1970's, demanding jobs in 
public establishments, utility services companies, banks, and grocery 
stores, all while battling zoning and busing issues evolving from 
students integration into the Rome Public Schools System. The MLK 
Celebration grew into an annual, four-day event and has served its 
purpose for the past 25 years.
  Reverend Allen was also the founder of the Northwest Georgia Minority 
Business Association, which is an organization of 125 business-owners 
trained in economic development under the state mandate of Rural 
Economic Development of Small and Minority Businesses. This 
organization established a legacy to honor the downtown Black Business 
District--commonly referred to as Five Points. NWGMBA was retired into 
History on May 20, 2011 ending Twenty-Five Years of Service to the NW 
Georgia District. The NWGMBA has received several honors from numerous 
organizations, including: the Small Business Development Center of the 
University of Georgia, the Atlanta Business League, the Business League 
of Georgia, the Georgia Association for Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME) 
of Augusta. NWGMBA has also received the Congressional District Award 
for Outstanding Community Service Organization, and has been honored by 
both the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and the Atlanta Chamber of 
Commerce for its outstanding works. Minority Business owners 
experienced much progress; building and owning new businesses.
  Furthermore, ``Camelot''--held on January 15, 2009--was a concept of 
Reverend Allen. As President of local SCLC, he offered a celebration to 
honor the 80th Memorial Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and 
the historic election of the first African American elected as 
President of the United States. A ballroom gala affair gave opportunity 
to citizens to join in the nation's celebration. Norris and Gladys 
Allen attended the Inauguration in Washington, held a book signing at 
the Rome City Auditorium to create a record of Romans who attended the 
Historical Inauguration. This Book was presented to the archives of the 
City of Rome at RAHM on February 15, 2009. The Museum opened its doors 
on January 20, 2009, celebrating the historical signing-in ceremony in 
Washington, D.C.
  Reverend Allen continues to break barriers and cross racial lines, 
locally, state-wide, and nationally. On July 28, 2007, he presented a 
Who's Who of the MLK Diversity Class to honor a host of multi-racial 
leaders, making a difference by bringing harmony to our community. Rev. 
Allen will host ``Camelot II'', on January 15, 2013 honoring the 50th 
Anniversary of The Civil Rights Movement of Rome.

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