[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE HILLCREST COMMUNITY CIVIC ASSOCIATION ON ITS 25TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in celebrating the Hillcrest Community Civic 
Association (HCCA) on its 25th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 
September.
  Ward 7's Belva T. Simmons, was the founder and 1st president of the 
HCCA. The idea for the HCCA was conceived on the front lawn of Dennis 
and Gloria Logan, on August 8, 1989, National Night Out Against Crime. 
The HCCA past and current Presidents are: Belva Simmons, Paul Savage, 
Pastor Franklin G. Singer, HI, Vincent Spaulding, and Karen Lee 
Williams.
  Located just east of the Anacostia River in Ward 7, Hillcrest is a 
beautiful and increasingly diverse neighborhood. Among its residents 
are D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, former Metropolitan Police Chief Isaac 
Fulwood, former U.S. Marshal James Palmer, and other notable public 
figures, as well as teachers, doctors, lawyers, government workers, 
civic leaders, professionals, retirees, and blue collar workers.
  In the early 1900s, Hillcrest was referred to as part of East 
Washington Heights. The initial developer, Andrew Randle and his United 
States Realty Company, is responsible for establishing the Pennsylvania 
Avenue southeast gateway that paved the way for development of 
Hillcrest under the Alger Company. Both early developers had inserted 
into some of the residential property deeds racial covenants to 
preclude African Americans from renting or purchasing homes in East 
Washington Heights. In fact, these deplorable covenants continue to 
remain as burdens on the land, but cannot be enforced due to a 1948 
U.S. Supreme Court case known as Hurd vs. Hodge.
  HCCA is a proud force joining members together in a community that 
stands for equality, diversity, civic pride and fellowship, while 
opposing crime and threats to its beloved community. HCCA has adopted 
Beers, Randle Highlands, and Winston Elementary schools. HCCA has 
partnered with the Palisades Community Civic Association. The community 
continues to grow and acquire new members and diversify.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating the Hillcrest Community Civic Association of Ward 7 on 
25 years in the District of Columbia.

                          ____________________