[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 156 (Friday, October 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAACP TOLEDO BRANCH

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 23, 2015

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a significant 
event in the life and times of a Toledo, Ohio institution: 2015 marks 
the 100th anniversary of the Toledo branch of the NAACP. The 
organization celebrates this milestone with a special gala on Saturday, 
October 24, 2015.
  The Toledo Branch of the NAACP was chartered on February 2, 1915. 
Today, one hundred years later, it is one of the oldest continually 
operating branches in the country. The branch was formed by some of the 
leading citizens of the day including Albertus Brown--the first chapter 
president--Charles A. Cottrill and Della Fields. These three founders 
were able to grow that initial gathering to about 160 people. Since 
then, the Toledo NAACP branch has marched through time thanks in large 
part to what historian Kenneth Goings refers to as the `` `unsung 
heroes' of the Toledo chapter--everyday men and women who worked behind 
the scenes over the years to make sure the chapter would make it to its 
100th birthday.''
  In addition to the legion of ``unsung heroes'' the Toledo branch of 
the NAACP was led by several legendary leaders who served at the helm 
of the organization throughout the years. These leaders' names 
reverberate through history, still recognized today through the 
buildings and streets named for them. We remember their legacy and the 
shoulders on which the generations forward have stood through the 
century.
  During its rich history the Toledo NAACP has been a leader in the 
fight for empowerment and justice for all. Its focus grew from battles 
against outright discrimination in the past to prosperity and ensuring 
the economic, educational, judicial and social equality as well as 
enfranchisement of all citizens.
  The Toledo branch explains, its ``purpose is to serve our mission by 
having a relevant agenda that emphasizes career and economic 
development, next level entrepreneurship, political empowerment, 
educational excellence, health and lifestyle awareness, civil rights 
and youth outreach.'' Coupled with the mission and vision of the NAACP 
``to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality 
of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial 
discrimination and ensure a society in which all individuals have equal 
rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination'' the 
Toledo branch's 100 year history is a story of highs and lows in that 
journey. The organization has been at the vanguard of the events which 
have shaped our nation's 20th century and beyond. Today, it continues 
on a path toward social justice reminiscent of the Rev. Dr. Martin 
Luther King's admonition that ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to 
justice everywhere.''
  Experiencing a rebirth, the Toledo branch of the NAACP is 
headquartered in the city's historic Dorr Street corridor, once home to 
a thriving African American business district and the center of its 
residential communities. The corridor's own storied history marched 
alongside that of the NAACP in bringing prosperity to Toledo's African 
American families.
  Former national NAACP chair Julian Bond once explained when 
discussing the organization, ``. . . the NAACP branches--the 
grassroots--kept plugging away. They kept doing what they do, and they 
do it well.'' For 100 years the Toledo branch of the NAACP has done it 
well: as a champion of humanity and hope, a beacon of light and a 
wellspring of truth. As we look back on a century of service, of 
triumph and trials, we look forward to renewed hope for the future.

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