[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING NOVELEAN ``MOTHER'' HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and invite 
my colleagues to join me in honoring Novelean ``Mother'' Harris of 
Richmond, California, who passed on January 11, 2012 at the age of 95. 
Mother Harris was a deeply religious and caring woman who fed and 
clothed the unfortunate and those in need, and a pioneering business 
owner in her community.
  Mother was the second child born to the late Charlie and Lillie 
Turner on Thursday, June 15, 1916 in Bernice, Louisiana. She came to 
know Christ at an early age when her family moved to El Dorado, 
Arkansas, and joined the New Bethel Baptist Church. Later, Novelean 
married the love of her life, the late George H. Harris, and had two 
sons, James and George, and a daughter, Carolyn.
  George moved his family to Richmond, California, in 1943 to seek 
better opportunities. Soon afterwards, George and Mother joined North 
Richmond Missionary Baptist Church, under the late Reverend F.W. 
Watkins, where they were active participants in their church and their 
community. George opened one of the first successful insurance 
businesses in Richmond. He was also one of the first African Americans 
to serve on the Contra Costa County Grand Jury. With the goal in mind 
to also own a business, Novelean enrolled at the Charm Beauty School in 
Oakland, obtained her state cosmetology license, and opened the first 
African American owned beauty salon in North Richmond. She later 
established Novelean's Beauty Salon on the Southside of the city where 
she mentored and trained other women to become licensed cosmetologists. 
At the time of her death, Mother Harris held one of the oldest business 
licenses in the City of Richmond.
  Mother Harris served in many capacities at North Richmond Missionary 
Baptist Church, but she will be most remembered for running the 
church's Soup Kitchen. Mother Harris never turned away a hungry person. 
She and her volunteer staff provided nutritious meals to countless 
people and ensured that the needy received a bag of groceries and 
clothes. She ministered to the homeless who came to eat. Each day at 
noon, Mother Harris would stop whatever she was doing to lead a prayer. 
Her passion for feeding the hungry extended beyond her service in the 
church. Mother Harris often prepared large pots of soup in her own 
kitchen and delivered meals to the homes of seniors and the disabled.
  Mother Harris was a strong pillar in her city. She encouraged others 
in the community to vote and supported the campaigns of many who sought 
elected office by giving advice, raising contributions, and feeding 
candidates in local, state, and national elections.
  The City of Richmond declared May 5, 2007, ``Mother Harris Day'' in 
honor of her contributions to the community. A bench was dedicated to 
her outside of North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church. Mother Harris 
was a life member of the Richmond Branch NAACP and was a founding 
member of the Cosmetology Organization of the Greater Bay Area.
  Simply stated by Mother Harris, ``God gave me a vision early in my 
life to reach out and help those in need.'' She leaves a legacy for us 
all to follow.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in offering sincere condolences 
to her children, family, and friends.

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