[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF ARTHUR EVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2013

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the former Deputy 
Speaker of the New York State Assembly, and my former colleague, Arthur 
O. Eve, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. A Korean war veteran, 
factory worker, national political activist, and tireless advocate for 
all those forced to occupy the margins of society, Art's selfless 
public service inspires me to this day.
   Born in New York City and raised in Florida during segregation, Art 
arrived in Buffalo in February 1953. Having just earned his Bachelor's 
of Science from West Virginia State College, he enlisted in the United 
State Army. Art honorably served our country, fighting in the Korean 
War from 1953 to 1955. While serving his tour of duty in Germany, he 
managed a program for orphans, foreshadowing his legacy of advocacy for 
children, the elderly, the homeless, the poor, and all others who 
suffer discrimination.
   In 1955, Art completed his service and returned to Buffalo, securing 
a job at a local Chevrolet plant. It was there he first observed the 
desperate plight Buffalo's youth. Due to a complete absence of role 
models and guidance, young people often succumbed to drugs and other 
criminal activities. A former All-High basketball player in Florida and 
an All-European player in Germany, Art intimately understood the 
immeasurable benefits of role models and organized activities in 
children's lives.
   Art became inspired to quit his job at Chevrolet to seek a position 
in parks and recreation. He found civil service jobs, the foundation of 
our city, were rarely awarded based on merit. Determined to transform 
the system from within, Art joined the local Democratic Party and soon 
earned his position in the Parks Department.
   A true reformer, Art was the sole ward leader who remained separate 
from the political establishment by 1958. He became known for his 
courageous independent activism and civil rights advocacy, which led to 
his election to the New York State Assembly in 1966.
   Art dedicated his extraordinary tenure in the Assembly to 
representing those who others ignored. During his first term, he 
pioneered efforts to secure $500,000 to begin the State University of 
New York system's SEEK/Educational Opportunity Program. The program 
provides financially disadvantaged students with academic support and 
supplemental funding to facilitate their pursuit of higher education. 
As of 2013, the program had $3.5 million worth of funding.
   Art's reputation as a champion of equality spread. Ahead of his 
time, Art supported many issues that remain relevant today, including 
legislation in favor of expanded access to healthcare and against hate 
crimes. By the 1970s, colleges in New York had established the Arthur 
O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program to aid students without 
scholastic or financial resources. In 1988, the Kennedy Center 
recognized Art's legacy with their prestigious Distinguished Leadership 
in Arts and Education Award.
   In 1979, Art became Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly. 
His tireless work towards equality and human rights brought national 
attention to the New York State Assembly. As Deputy Speaker, he was the 
highest ranking African American in the New York State Legislature. He 
was a founding member of the New York State Black and Puerto Rican 
Legislative Caucus, and served on the committee of public officials who 
attempted to quell the conflict at Attica State Prison. He remained 
Deputy Speaker until his retirement from the State Assembly in 2002.
   Art's rise to political prominence demonstrated great strides for 
the African-American community. In Buffalo, Art became the first 
African American to win the Buffalo Mayoral Democratic Primary. During 
his campaign, he led a historic voter registration drive, registering 
thousands of new African-American voters. Nationally, Art served as an 
adviser to Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign.
   I feel highly privileged to have served with Art in the State 
Assembly from 1999 to 2002. During my time there, I valued Art's advice 
and counsel. As a new legislator in Albany, I treasured the wisdom and 
companionship of my colleague and fellow advocate for Western New York. 
To this day, I feel extremely fortunate to have shared time in the New 
York State Legislature with Art.
   Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to celebrate Arthur Eve's 
extraordinary work in honor of his 80th birthday. I am profoundly 
grateful for his service and friendship, and continue to be inspired by 
his incredible legacy.

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