[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E291-E292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF MRS. MILDRED PARISH MASSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2015

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my Colleagues, Congressman Pete 
Aguilar, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congressman Xavier Becerra, 
Congressman Ami Bera, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congresswoman Lois 
Capps, Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman 
Jim Costa, Congresswoman Susan Davis, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, 
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Sam Farr, Congressman John 
Garamendi, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Congressman Mike Honda, 
Congressman Jared Huffman, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congressman Ted 
Lieu, Congressman Alan Lowenthal, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, 
Congressman Jerry McNerney, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, 
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Scott Peters, Congresswoman 
Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Linda 
Sanchez, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Congressman Adam Schiff, 
Congressman Brad Sherman, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congressman Eric 
Swalwell, Congressman Mark Takano, Congressman Mike Thompson, 
Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congressman Juan Vargas, and Congresswoman 
Maxine Waters, to honor the extraordinary life of Mrs. Mildred Parish 
Massey. Mrs. Massey was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother, sister, and friend. With her passing on February 16, we 
look to Mrs. Massey's personal legacy of leadership, service, and the 
outstanding quality of her life's work.
   Born on June 6, 1924 in El Paso, Texas, Mrs. Massey attended 
Douglass Elementary and High School in El Paso. She won a scholarship 
to Tillotson College in Austin, Texas and transferred to Southern 
University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to study Business Administration. 
Mrs. Massey continued her education at Texas Western College (now the 
University of Texas at El Paso) and was one of seven students to 
integrate the University.
   Throughout her life, Mrs. Mildred Massey broke many racial barriers 
in the workplace. She began her career in the United Services 
Organization and was the first African-American clerical worker at Ft. 
Bliss in Texas. In 1960, she moved to San Fernando and served as the 
first African-American to work at the Raymond Lamp Company, Assistant 
Manager of Lerner Dress store in Panorama City, California, Manager of 
the Rembrandt Sign Co. in San Fernando, California and as 
Administrative Assistant at the Veterans Administration Hospital in 
Sylmar, California.
   In 1975, Mrs. Mildred Massey moved to Oakland, California and worked 
for the Social Security Administration until her retirement in 1986. 
Upon her retirement, she helped found

[[Page E292]]

and manage the WC Parish Co., DBA Lee Associates until her second 
retirement in 1998 when she moved to Sun City, Arizona until 2010.
   In addition to her prolific career, Mrs. Mildred Massey broke 
barriers and was a dedicated civil rights advocate. Among her efforts, 
she worked with Mary McLeod Bethune to come to Southern University in 
Baton Rouge to change her University's discriminatory policy 
surrounding sorority pledging. Mrs. Massey was also an active member of 
the Easter Star Lodge, Phyllis Wheatley Club, the NAACP, and Myrtle 
Avenue Methodist Church.
   Mrs. Massey enjoyed traveling and visited Greece, Italy, Spain, 
Hawaii, the Bahamas, Mexico, Grenada, St. Maarten, the Virgin Islands, 
Cuba and Martha's Vineyard, among her many trips. She was intrigued 
with the beauty of butterflies and had a wonderful collection of 
butterfly ornaments and personal items, which brought her a lot of joy.
   As Mildred's daughters Barbara Lee, Mildred Whitfield, and Beverly 
Hardy mourn her death, they celebrate her life well-lived. They 
remember their mother as a kind and gentle soul, yet a strong woman who 
taught them to be confident, to be kind and to live life to its 
fullest.
   At 90 years of age, Mildred stayed connected with her family and 
friends through texting and the use of technology. She played bridge, 
was very independent, and determined to ``do it her way'' even while 
struggling with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
   Today, The California Democratic Congressional Delegation salutes 
and honors an outstanding civil servant and individual, Mrs. Mildred 
Parish Massey. Her dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives. 
We join all of Mrs. Massey's loved ones in celebrating her incredible 
life. She will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________