[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 123 (Monday, July 22, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E952-E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE MOYE FAMILY'S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AND FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2019

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
rich history of the Moye Family and their commitment to maintaining the 
values of loyalty and community.
  Jacqueline Johnson, a constituent and Buffalo resident who worked for 
many years in the Buffalo Public School District, brought the Moye 
family history to my attention as they gather in Buffalo to celebrate 
their 39th annual family reunion.
  The Moye family history begins in South Carolina, with the marriage 
of Ezra Moye to Sarah Howard. This union produced six children, Willis, 
Sonny, Ezra Moye Jr., aka ``Bud'', Millie, Rachel, and Margaret. From 
these six children, the Moye family has grown exponentially.
  The firstborn in the next generation of Moye's is Lawrence Moye, the 
son of Willis and Mattie. Prior to Lawrence's birth, all previous Moye 
ancestors had lived under the crushing burden of slavery. In 1865, 
Lawrence was freed from slavery, and in his first display of true 
freedom he chose to marry two weeks later. His love for his new wife 
Charlotte was unbounded by slavery, and he seized this opportunity to 
benefit the generations of his family to come.

[[Page E953]]

  Willis, Sonny, Ezra, Millie, Rachel, and Margaret endured the 
unspeakable hardships of slavery. Even after slavery was legally 
abolished, injustices in education, employment, and law enforcement 
have had an impact on African Americans in our society. Despite this, 
communities of strength and virtue have prevailed, as we bear witness 
today at this Moye family reunion.
  While this is the 39th annual Moye family reunion, it is the first 
one being held in Buffalo, and the city is honored to be the site of 
celebration for a family with such rich history and traditions. Family 
members descending from Eugene and Minnie, Daisy and Joseph, and 
Georgia and Neb live in Buffalo today. Moye family members began moving 
to Western New York as early as the 1930's, and thanks to the Moye 
Family Historian, Gregory Moye, we are able to recount some aspects of 
the family history today.
  The Moye family is the embodiment of a virtuous family with a rich 
history of obstacles that ultimately led to great perseverance and 
triumph. Family members from all around the country have traveled and 
sacrificed to be here today, for the simple and beautiful reason of 
celebrating family with one another. Buffalo is honored to have been 
called home for many members of the Moye family and I would ask my 
colleagues to join me in extending a warm welcome to each member of the 
Moye family and extend our best wishes for an enjoyable successful 
celebration this year and for generations to come.

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