[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN CELEBRATION OF MAYOR DAVID N. DINKINS 89TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2016

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 89th Birthday 
of Mayor David N. Dinkins. Let me congratulate my beloved Brother and 
partner in government and in life and colleague for his dedication and 
commitment to New York City and for all of his great accomplishments 
over the many years that I have known him. He has truly made a historic 
imprint on the city that we know and love today.
  To speak of all his accomplishments and in recognition of his 
birthday on July 10, 2016, it is only right to begin with the day of 
his birth, on July 10, 1927, in Trenton, New Jersey. After graduating 
from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps at 18 and served 
briefly in World War II. My fellow veteran was the recipient of The 
Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a Montford Point Marine in 
the United States Marine Corps, during World War II. After the war, he 
attended Howard University, graduating with a B.A. in Mathematics in 
1950. David then moved to New York City and received a law degree from 
the Brooklyn Law School in 1956.
  My esteemed colleague's political career began when he joined the 
Carver Club headed by J. Raymond Jones, known as the Harlem Fox. At 
that time, David befriended three up and coming New York politicians: 
Basil Paterson, Sr., Percy Sutton, and me. We later became known as the 
``Gang of Four'' and together we were able to significantly shape the 
African-American presence in New York's political landscape.
  Along his professional journey, he won his first electoral office, a 
seat in the New York State Assembly in 1965. Shortly afterwards, David 
was offered the position of Deputy Mayor of New York by then Mayor 
Abraham Beam. He then secured the position of City Clerk which he held 
for ten years from 1975 to 1985. On his third run for the office, my 
cherished colleague was elected as Manhattan's Borough President in 
1985. In 1989, David ran for Mayor of New York and became the 106th 
Mayor of the City of New York.
  My valued friend was the first African-American Mayor of New York 
City. He was truly a peacekeeper amid the racial tensions that erupted 
throughout the city, testing his ability as a municipal leader. He 
presided over a decrease in crime in the city, balanced the city budget 
by turning a $1.8 billion dollar deficit into a $200 million surplus 
and maintained racial peace after the Rodney King verdict sparked 
rioting in a number of cities across the nation. Under his watch, New 
York City had many great successes including the historic New York City 
Tribute to Nelson Mandela--``Safe Streets, Safe City: Cops and Kids,'' 
the revitalization of Times Square, and the historic agreement which 
has kept the US Open Tennis Championship in New York City. His 
administration created Fashion Week, Restaurant Week, and Broadway on 
Broadway, which are events that New Yorkers and tourists continue to 
enjoy. In 2015, The Municipal Building was renamed in his honor to the 
David N. Dinkins Municipal Building.
  My highly respected colleague's accomplishments lie not only in 
politics but also through his educational career. David accepted a 
professorship at Columbia University's Center for Urban Research and 
Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public 
Affairs in 1994 after his role as Mayor. He serves on the school's 
advisory board and has hosted the David N. Dinkins Leadership & Public 
Policy Forum for nearly 20 years. In 2003, the David N. Dinkins 
Professorship Chair in the Practice of Urban & Public Affairs was 
established at Columbia University. The David Dinkins Archives & Oral 
History collection was opened by Columbia University Library in 
December 2015 in his honor. In 2013, he released his memoir A Mayor's 
Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, which chronicles the life 
of this devoted public servant as a New Yorker who remains in love with 
this city.
  David, my fondest comrade and greatest supporter, is also involved 
with many organizations and a board member of several non-profit and 
charitable groups. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 
He is a founding member of the Black & Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus 
of New York State, the Council of Black Elected Democrats of New York 
State and The One Hundred Black Men. He was also vice president of the 
United States Conference of Mayors, and is a member-at-large of the 
Black Leadership Forum. David serves as Chairman Emeritus of the 
National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and the Constituency for 
Africa (CFA), and serves on the steering committee of the Association 
for a Better New York and the New York Urban League Advisory Council. 
He is on the board of New York City Global Partners and is a member of 
the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Advisory Board of the 
International African American Museum.
  It is noteworthy that David's birthday celebration will take place at 
Ellen's Stardust Diner, formerly Ellen's Cafe, which was located across 
from City Hall for over 20 years and was a popular gathering place for 
many NYC mayors. Ellen's started a ritual where the Mayors would come 
in on their birthdays and Ellen's would donate their favorite pie to 
charity. In honor of this long-standing charitable tradition, Stardust 
Diner owner Ellen Hart-Sturm will be donating pies to David's favorite 
charity the Association to Benefit Children.
  Mr. Speaker, with great love and admiration for my brother loyal 
friend and outstanding public servant, I ask you and my colleagues to 
join me in celebrating the 89th Birthday of David Dinkins, in 
recognition of all of his accomplishments.

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