[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF VERA MEDLY FOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 13, 2015

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Vera Medley Foster, who passed away on February 25, 2015 at the age 
of 90. A selfless servant to the underprivileged youth in Western New 
York, Mrs. Foster was a prominent member of the community.
   Vera Medley Foster was born on November 3, 1924 in Helena, Arkansas. 
During her early life she lived on expansive land with her family, 
where she was brought up learning wholesome values from her family and 
schooling. She went on to marry her high school sweetheart, the late 
Bernard Austin and moved to St. Louis in the 1940's to open her own ice 
cream parlor and sandwich shop.
   After Ms. Foster's endeavors, she found herself settling in Buffalo 
where she met her life partner Mr. Clinton Modis Foster. Together they 
had three children whom she devoted her life and love to. While raising 
her children she returned to her entrepreneurial roots and opened a 
beauty salon in her home. Her salon became a staple of the community 
and the influence of her kind heart began to touch more people. As her 
children grew older she became more involved in the community with the 
Parent Teachers Association of Buffalo Public School #23; the Delavan-
Moselle Community Center and the Wider Horizons Tutoring and Enrichment 
Program.
   Ms. Foster's influence did not stop there; later she became involved 
with the City of Buffalo's leadership and served on mayoral cabinets. 
She served as an advocate for the youth of the City and set up many for 
success through the Mayors Summer Youth program. Ms. Foster served on 
the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Steering Committee, as well as on 
the board of directors for the Masten Boys and Girls club for 32 years. 
Her passion for business never faded, as time went on Ms. Foster 
founded and served as president of the North Fillmore Business 
Association.
   Ms. Foster was beloved by the community she served. She has been 
honored by over one hundred proclamations and awards from the City of 
Buffalo and organizations. Ms. Foster also has been honored with a day 
in her name, August 3, 2013 was proclaimed as Vera Medley Foster Day, 
and shall always be remembered as such. Her name is also engraved in 
the streets of Buffalo with Vera Medley Foster Way in the heart of the 
city.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor the 
life of Vera Medley Foster. I ask that my colleagues join me in 
expressing our deepest condolences to the Foster family, and to 
celebrate the exemplary work she did to enrich the communities of 
Western New York.

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