[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 120 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MRS. IMOGENE BURRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
Mrs. Imogene Burris. With her passing May 27, 2016, we honor her 
brilliant social justice work.
  Much of Mrs. Burris' life was spent improving the lives of those less 
fortunate both in her personal and professional life. Mrs. Burris, for 
many years, was a business woman where she operated Summerside Homes, 
Vallejo, facilities for the developmentally disabled. She treated the 
clients as her own children and insisted that all employees treat the 
clients in the same manner.
  In addition to her impressive and important career with Summerside 
Homes, she was active in many community and business organizations 
including the National Council of Negro Women, Delta Sigma Theta, the 
Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club of Vallejo.
  In her personal life, she had a tremendous wit and enjoyed dialogue 
on all kinds of subjects especially those involving current events and 
the status of the African American community. She instilled in everyone 
around her the desire to lead a life that makes a difference by 
improving the lives of those less fortunate than you. Mrs. Burris loved 
to travel to learn more about the world and interact with all sorts of 
experiences.
  Mrs. Burris is well remembered by her family and community as a 
stylish dresser and a hallmark was her grand and colorful hats. For 
many years she got a new hat for every Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day 
and her birthday. She had a hat for all occasions with matching purse, 
gloves and shoes. Mrs. Burris' community will also miss the delectable 
soul food she cooked, especially her well regarded peach cobbler.
  Mrs. Burris was married for 67 years to the late DeWitt Burris and 
they had 6 children, two of whom preceded her in death. She is survived 
by a daughter Faye Anderson, a retired Middle School principal with San 
Francisco Unified School District, and two sons: Rev. Dr. Ronald 
Burris, an Associate Professor of church history at the American 
Baptist Seminary of the West and Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in 
Richmond, and John Burris, a law professor at North Carolina Central 
University School of Law. Mrs. Burris has a host of grandchildren, 
great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and several generations 
of nieces and nephews all whom adored her and are mourning her passing. 
She was the ``grand dame'' and Matriarch who took great pride in 
family, friends and the community at large. All who met her could feel 
her kindness and sincerity. Her motto was ``If I can be helpful, I 
will''.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes the legacy of 
Mrs. Imogene Burris. Her contributions have truly impacted countless 
lives through the Bay Area. I join all of Mrs. Burris' loved ones in 
celebrating her incredible life and offer my most sincere condolences.

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