[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 98 (Thursday, June 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING FRANK B. MESIAH AS HE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD FROM THE 
                      BUFFALO CHAPTER OF THE NAACP

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2017

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
exceptional service of civil rights and social justice pioneer Frank B. 
Mesiah as the former president of the Buffalo Branch of the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as he is 
presented with the President's Award at the NAACP Annual Medgar Evers 
Dinner.
   Frank Mesiah is from Buffalo's West Side and a graduate of Grover 
Cleveland High School, in the Buffalo Public School system he would 
later fight to integrate. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees 
from Buffalo State College and worked as both a Buffalo police officer, 
Buffalo teacher, and at the New York State Department of Labor to 
support his wife and three daughters.
   After serving our nation and earning an honorable discharge from the 
United States Army in the 1950's, Frank worked tirelessly to further 
the civil rights movement in the city of Buffalo. Under his leadership, 
the local NAACP chapter saw many successes in the public sector, 
notably in the city's police force and the public education system.
   Frank diligently played the role of watchdog in the community by 
exposing racism and discrimination. Through the work of the NAACP, the 
Buffalo Public Schools were desegregated, thanks in no small part to 
Frank's efforts. He also fought for reforms in the Buffalo police force 
to ensure black and white officers were treated equally in the 
workplace. The NAACP also advanced black teachers and administrators in 
public schools.
   In addition to striving for improvements for people of color in the 
city of Buffalo, Frank fought for the rights of women, senior citizens, 
and the gay and lesbian community. Buffalo is indebted to his 
remarkable determination and steadfast resolve. While much work remains 
to be done, Frank's work and the battles fought by the NAACP under his 
leadership have created a better place for us all.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to highlight 
the tremendous service of Frank Mesiah and the Buffalo Chapter of the 
NAACP. Our city is so grateful for his dedication to civil rights. I 
wish him the absolute best in all his future endeavors.

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