[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 43 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOCHIKI CIVIC AND SOCIAL CLUB, 
                                  INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 13, 2015

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th 
anniversary of the Dochiki Civic and Social Club in Newport News, 
Virginia.
  Originally known as ``Los Amigas,'' the club was founded on March 15, 
1940 by eleven businessmen gathered at the Odessa Barber Shop located 
at 29th Street and Chestnut Avenue in Newport News. Two years later, 
the name of the club was changed to ``Dochiki,'' a word of Chinese 
origin meaning love and friendship. The founders of the club were Homer 
Hines, Ward Bridgeforth, Virgil Evans, B. C. Anthony, Oliver Hawkins, 
James Hawkins, Harold Heath, James Jones, Irving Thomas, Robert 
Whitney, and Howard Ovelest.
  The club initially met in members' homes, and in 1948 they relocated 
to a room above a club member's garage which they nicknamed ``Alley 
Inn.'' As membership increased, the club leased larger space to 
accommodate its growing membership, and, on August 7, 1952, the club 
purchased property at 2705 Chestnut Avenue in Newport News, where it 
still meets today. In addition to this property, the club has acquired 
additional property along Chestnut Avenue through donations of club 
members, including Cornelius Glover, which allowed the club to 
significantly expand its facilities. Today, the club occupies much of 
the 2700 block of Chestnut Avenue and includes numerous amenities, such 
as a 300-seat ballroom, a commercial kitchen, restroom suites, office 
space, recreational and storage areas, lounges, a 24-seat bar with 
adjacent kitchen, a locker room, and ample parking, all of which are 
accessible for individuals with disabilities. The club offers its 
facilities for use free of charge to many community groups and has also 
served as the Chestnut Avenue voting precinct for many years.
  While Dochiki remains a place for men to socialize, debate politics, 
and enjoy sports, women have also played an active role in the club for 
much of its history. In 1960, the Dochiki Wives Auxiliary, Inc. was 
established to compliment the men's club and support its educational, 
social, health and civic projects targeted at aiding charities, youth 
programs, and senior citizens.
  Since its founding 75 years ago, the Dochiki Civic and Social Club 
has been actively involved in the Newport News community providing 
outstanding civic, social and philanthropic leadership to their fellow 
citizens. The club has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local 
charities, youth programs, and senior citizen projects. It has also 
strongly encouraged all of its members and fellow citizens in the 
community to be actively engaged in the electoral process.
  Today, the club's membership includes businessmen, educators, elected 
officials, members of the military and other professionals throughout 
the community, all of whom are devoted to supporting and improving the 
Newport News community through active civic engagement.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Dochiki Civic and Social Club on 
their 75th anniversary and I thank them for all that they have done to 
make Newport News a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

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