[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING PHILMORE GRAHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of 
Philmore Graham, who passed away on June 12, 2014, after 75 remarkable 
years.
  Born in North Carolina, Mr. Graham went on to graduate from Tennessee 
State University, serve our country in the Air Force and finally, build 
a career at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Notably, he was the first, 
and to this day remains the only, African American to hold the position 
of supervisor at Mare Island's Department of Nuclear Energy. Throughout 
his life, Mr. Graham was steadfastly dedicated to bettering the lives 
of young people in our community, particularly the lives of young 
African-American men.
  Mr. Graham founded the Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club in 
Vallejo, California, in 1966. What began as six young boys meeting in 
Mr. Graham's garage has become a thriving organization that enriches 
the lives of approximately 300 boys and girls today. He mentored scores 
of young people, offering them support and encouragement and instilling 
in them the values and principles they needed to succeed. Mr. Graham 
provided academic support, encouraged involvement in sports and taught 
young people the importance of perseverance, hard-work and self-
respect. Mr. Graham's unwavering passion and dedication to ensuring 
that our youth had every opportunity to succeed is an inspiration to 
all. And in turn, Mr. Graham was beloved by all those who were 
fortunate enough to have known him.
  For his good work, Mr. Graham was named the NAACP's Outstanding 
Citizen of the Year, was awarded the Good Neighbor Award, Salute to 
America Lifetime Merit Award, Profile of Excellence Award, Martin 
Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the ``Who's Who'' among Black 
Americans and was repeatedly named the Omega Man of the Year and 
Citizen of the Year.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we honor and thank 
Mr. Graham for his life of service to a grateful community.

                          ____________________