[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1661-E1662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CARTER GILMORE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2017

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and service of 
a pillar of the Oakland community, the Honorable Carter Gilmore. 
Although Mr. Gilmore passed away in 2006, the Oakland African American 
Museum and Library will be unveiling an exhibit focused on his life and 
career on December 9th, 2017.
  Carter Gilmore was born on May 30th, 1926 in Grapeland, Texas, and 
served in the US Navy during World War II. In 1947 he married Liz 
Hampton, and the couple soon moved to Oakland, where Mr. Gilmore worked 
as a plant manager for Granny Goose Foods.
  In 1977, Mr. Gilmore made history when he became the first African 
American elected to the Oakland City Council. During his tenure, which 
lasted until 1990, Mr. Gilmore made important contributions to the City 
of Oakland through his role in the creation of the citizen's police 
review board, and the city's anti-blight ordinance, among many other 
initiatives and accomplishments.
  In addition to his work on the City Council, Mr. Gilmore was also an 
active member of his church, Bethel Missionary Baptist, starting when 
he first moved to Oakland in the 1950's.
  Mr. Gilmore's life was guided by a belief that we should all work to 
improve our communities, and the lives of our neighbors. He was also 
staunchly committed to civil rights.
  That belief in social justice led him to join the Alameda branch of 
the NAACP, and he later served as the chapter president. He also served 
as president of the NAACP's Northern California division. In 1990, he 
helped lead the investigation into racial discrimination against 
African American employees at UPS, resulting in the largest settlement 
in the NAACP's history to that point.
  On a personal note, Carter was one of the first people to act as a 
mentor and advisor to me as I began my career working for Congressman 
Dellums. He always took time to

[[Page E1662]]

help clarify issues for me, and he was a true trailblazer who educated 
our community about the importance of black political power. I will 
always remember his wise counsel and his friendship.
  Though Carter Gilmore died in 2006, his trailblazing legacy as the 
City of Oakland's first African American elected to the City Council 
continues to inspire younger generations to aspire for heights that 
they may not have ever considered without his example.
  Today, the Oakland African American Museum and Library is unveiling 
an exhibit dedicated to Carter Gilmore's life and legacy. Therefore, on 
behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I join the family 
and friends of Carter Gilmore in celebrating his life of public 
service. I offer my sincerest gratitude to him for all that he did to 
pave the way for future generations of community-oriented leaders.

                          ____________________