[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 66 (Thursday, April 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LEGACY OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS IN NEWARK

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                       HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2019

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, Frederick Douglass was born into slavery 
but laid to rest in power. His legacy touched countless lives in 
countless communities across this country, including Newark, New 
Jersey.
  Throughout Newark's history, its residents fought for the abolition 
of slavery and suffrage for Black people. People like the King family, 
whose house in Newark was part of the Underground Railroad, and people 
like Thomas Thompson, a black stagecoach driver who helped move people 
to freedom, were undeterred in the fight for Black freedom. It was 
leaders like them who arranged, in April of 1849, for Frederick 
Douglass to visit Newark and speak about Black freedom, justice, and 
empowerment.
  Frederick Douglass' speech at the First African Presbyterian Church 
on Plane Street was an historic moment in the city's long history of 
Black self-realization, a history Newark is still writing. Plane 
Street, now University Avenue, is the heart of Rutgers University--
Newark. It is a fitting tribute that Rutgers--Newark renamed its field 
on University Avenue the Frederick Douglass Field.
  Rutgers--Newark has, for generations, helped empower students from 
Newark to seek justice and freedom through education. I am proud to 
represent Rutgers--Newark in Congress and commend them for recognizing 
Frederick Douglass' legacy in our city.

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