[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 54 (Monday, April 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E387-E388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING CHARLES THOMAS BLACKNALL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 2, 2018

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of hard-work 
and integrity in our community, Charles Thomas Blacknall. Charles was 
honored as Messiah Baptist Church Men's Ministry, Man of the Year 2018 
on Saturday, March 31, 2018. I'd like to acknowledge him and his great 
work on the occasion.
  Charles was born in Franklinton, North Carolina and attended the 
Franklinton Public High School. He then moved to Yonkers following the 
completion of his high school education. At the age of 21, Charles 
became a member of Local 3 Electrical Union (EBEW) and was employed by 
Phelps Dodge Copper and Wire Company as a machine operator for more 
than eight years.
  As a proud union member, Charles worked a wide array of union jobs. 
Following his time at Phelps and Dodge, he was assigned to Edison Price 
Lighting Company as a shipping and receiving clerk for 8 years. His 
next assignment was with Kliege Brother Electrical and Lighting as a 
Craftsman Painter for eight years.
  In 1992 Charles left Local 3 and accepted a position as a Concierge 
in White Plains, where he worked until retirement in 2004.
  Outside of work, Charles was very active in the community. He 
volunteered his time with multiple groups, including as a member of the 
Yonkers Branch of the NAACP, the National Action Network (NAN), Messiah 
Baptist Church Bible Study Class, and Messiah Baptist Church Men's 
Ministry. Charles was also very active in youth sports, and 
particularly enjoyed being a Volunteer Coach with the Commerce 
Community Center Youth League Basketball in Yonkers.
  Of course, Charles' true passion was always his family. He and his 
wife have four lovely children, Lashanda, Nicholas, Marcus and Thomas, 
and he was blessed with five grandchildren Arzane, Alexis, Zarius, Lee 
Lee, and Mariah.
  Charles Thomas Blacknall is a special member of our community and his 
life serves as an inspiration to us all. It is my honor to congratulate 
him on receiving this wonderful honor, and to thank him for all of the 
tremendous work he has done on behalf of his community.

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