[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 185 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING ALBERT EDWARD PELHAM

  (Ms. SHERRILL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. SHERRILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Albert Edward Pelham, 
a beloved community leader and student advocate from my town, 
Montclair, New Jersey.
  Al was known for bringing people together. His work aided and 
inspired generations of Montclairians, and he leaves behind a beautiful 
legacy.
  Al was raised in Montclair and graduated from Montclair High School. 
He served our country in the U.S. Army before returning to New Jersey 
and graduating from Bloomfield College.
  From his leadership in the Montclair NAACP, the Montclair 
Neighborhood Development Corporation, Statewide Parent Advocacy 
Network, Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation, and more, he 
dedicated himself to making his community a better and fairer place.
  One of Al's many achievements was the creation of Project Oasis, 
which offers year-round educational and recreational opportunities for 
students. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Al adapted the program and 
organized a remote learning space so that all students had access to a 
computer to attend their virtual classes.
  He also created a program for students who were suspended to provide 
them with academic training and counseling as an alternative to staying 
at home.
  Al worked to ensure that all students, regardless of their 
background, had opportunities to excel.
  Al fought tirelessly for racial justice and inclusivity, guiding both 
the Montclair NAACP and the Montclair African-American Heritage 
Foundation through especially difficult times in our country. In 2019, 
he was recognized for these efforts with the Essex County Dr. Martin 
Luther King Jr. Leadership Award.
  Al's dedication to his community was matched by his deep commitment 
to his family. Al took any opportunity he could to be with his wife, 
Audrey; his children, Dwayne and Rhonda; his grandchildren, Charles and 
Cameron; his sisters; and extended family.
  On August 19, 2021, Al passed away after a battle with cancer. His 
selfless commitment to making Montclair a better place will not soon be 
forgotten. I was honored to have known Al and to have called him my 
friend. The counsel he gave me and so many others over the years will 
continue to impact us and the entire Montclair community for 
generations to come.

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