[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF ELMIRA V. GILBERT

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 27, 2020

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of, 
and express sadness over, the passing of an extraordinary woman, Elmira 
``Nana'' V. Gilbert: Elmira moved to West Palm Beach, Florida when she 
was five years old and lived there for nearly nine decades. She passed 
away on March 5, 2020, just a few months shy of her 105th birthday.
  She was one of 52 members to graduate from the first high school for 
African Americans in Palm Beach County in 1935 and served as the vice 
president of her Class Reunion Committee for many years. She always 
lived her life to the fullest, embracing her role as matriarch of the 
Shederick, Gilbert, King, Brown I, and Brown II French families.
  Elmira was an extremely resilient woman having survived the many 
injustices of segregation and numerous hurricanes, including the deadly 
hurricane of 1928. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Elmira's many 
family members and friends. Our nation grieves with you, and I pray 
that you may find comfort during this extremely difficult time.

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