[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF BRIDGETT ``BIDDY'' MASON

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                       HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 14, 2018

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
extraordinary life of Bridgett ``Biddy'' Mason and to declare August 
15, 2018 to be Biddy Mason Day in California's 44th Congressional 
District.
  Whereas on August 15, 1818, Bridgett ``Biddy'' Mason was born into 
slavery in Hancock County Georgia.
  Whereas at the age of 15, Biddy was given to the Smith family as a 
wedding present and moved from Mississippi to Utah, and eventually San 
Bernardino, California;
  Whereas with the help of friends in California and despite 
challenges, Biddy Mason gained knowledge of her rights and fought to be 
freed from slavery;
  Whereas 10 years after obtaining her freedom, Biddy Mason became a 
midwife, earning enough money to purchase her first piece of property 
on north Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles where she served her 
community;
  Whereas Biddy Mason became one of the first real estate moguls in Los 
Angeles and a stellar businesswoman;
  Whereas in 1862 Biddy Mason, along with John Ballard, Jeremiah 
Redding, Charles Owens, Louis Green, John Hall and Samuel Johns founded 
the historic First African Methodist Episcopal Church in her living 
room;
  Whereas the date of August 15, 2018, marks the 200th Birthday of this 
remarkable woman; and
  Now Therefore I declare and hereby recognize August 15, 2018 to be 
Bridgett ``Biddy'' Mason Day in the 44th Congressional District of 
California.

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