[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HARLEM'S MATRIARCH MS. FANNIE E. PENNINGTON

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2013

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of 
Harlem's Matriarch Ms. Fannie E. Pennington, who passed away on 
Wednesday, February 13 at the age of 99 years old.
  On Friday, February 22, the village Harlem joined together at 
Abyssinian Baptist Church to celebrate the amazing and historic life of 
Fannie E. Pennington who was a faithful and dedicated servant to the 
Lord and to our Nation. Great women like our wonderful Fannie 
Pennington are precious gifts we temporarily have in this world, but 
their assistance, contributions and accomplishments are far remembered 
and everlasting.
  Our beloved Fannie lived a full spiritual life--a life well spent and 
dedicated to the uplifting of African Americans and women. Daughter of 
Matthew Mark and Hattie Harris, and a descendant of the Balanta Fula 
Tribes of Guinea, Fannie and her late sister Amelia were baptized and 
christened into the family of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church by 
the Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.
  At Abyssinian, Fannie Pennington became one of the most devoted 
members, serving on the Progressive Ladies Usher Board, the Welcome and 
Hospitality Committee, which was once known as the Adam Clayton Powell 
Overseas Club. Ms. Fannie Pennington greeted and hosted historic world 
figures and American Icons such as Haile Selassie, Mary McCloud 
Bethune, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.
  Many of our friends will remember Fannie as a vivacious and beautiful 
personality, who tended bar in several of Harlem's elite dining 
institutions and establishments. She was also an official 
representative of the Barmaid Charity Organization, which raised money 
to send inner city kids to summer camp. I will remember Fannie for her 
loyalty and support to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., her years of service 
to the New York City Board of Elections and the Frederick E. Samuel 
Community Democratic Club, where she spent her life's work registering 
young people to vote.
  Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the 
Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th Anniversary of the March on 
Washington and the 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks, let us also celebrate 
the 99 years of our beloved Fannie E. Pennington.

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