[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF DR. ENID PINKNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, from the 24th district of the 
great state of Florida, I rise today to commemorate the 90th Birthday 
of Dr. Enid Pinkney.
  Whereas, Enid Curtis Pinkney was born October 15, 1931, in the city 
of Miami's Overtown neighborhood. She is the third of four children 
born to Bahamian parents, Lenora and Henry Curtis. She graduated from 
the all-black Booker T. Washington High School in 1949 and went on to 
receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Talladega College (Talladega, 
Alabama) in Social Science. She continued her education and earned a 
Master of Science degree from Barry University (Miami, Florida) in 
Guidance and Counseling and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane 
Letters from St. Thomas University (Miami, Florida). Dr. Pinkney served 
on the Executive Board of the National Alumni Association of Talladega 
College, has been inducted into the Talladega College Hall of Fame, and 
received the Southern Regional Outstanding Alumni award from the 
National Alumni of Talladega College. The Enid Curtis Pinkney 
Humanitarian Awards Luncheon was named in her honor by the Miami 
Talladega College Alumni Association; and
  Whereas, due to her civic involvement and knowledge as a historian, 
Dr. Pinkney was featured in Miami in Our Own Words, by the Miami 
Herald, Profiles of Miami by the University of Miami, and has been a 
columnist for The Miami Times. She wrote a chapter in Miami's Historic 
Neighborhoods entitled ``Brownsville.'' Dr. Pinkney conducted the 
African American Research for Burials in the City Cemetery, 1896 
through 1990. She produced the television program Resurrection: Blacks 
Buried in the City Cemetery for WPXM TV and a twelve-part series on 
Historical Perspectives of Brownsville for WLRN TV; and
  Whereas, Dr. Pinkney worked aggressively over the years to ensure 
that the role of African Americans in Miami's history is acknowledged 
and preserved. She appeared in several documentaries detailing Miami's 
history including Golden Side of the Tracks, a film Documentary about 
``Overtown,'' which was directed by David Weintraub. More recently she 
appeared in a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. documentary regarding his 
visits to Miami, Florida, produced by WLRN TV and directed by Mia 
Lorenzo. Dr. Pinkney also produced the documentary the Hampton House 
which aired on WLRN TV; and
  Whereas, Dr. Pinkney worked as a social worker from 1953 to 1955, 
after which she worked in the Dade County Public School System until 
she retired, in 1991, as Assistant Principal at South Miami Middle 
School. In the mid-1980s, she joined the Dade Heritage Trust historic 
preservation organization, and in 1998 was elected the first black 
president of the Trust leading the community in saving the Miami Circle 
from demolition. She also served as the first African American 
president of Natives of Dade. Under Dr. Pinkney's leadership, the 
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust prevented the City of Miami from building 
an Ecotourist Resort on ``Colored'' Beach. Her strong faith in God led 
her to become a founding and charter member of The Church of The Open 
Door, (Congregational) United Church of Christ, where she served as its 
first clerk. Dr. Pinkney was a member of the Board of Directors of the 
Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ for two terms, and 
served on the Executive Council, the Board of Common Services, and 
General Ministries; and
  Whereas, Dr. Pinkney is a recipient of the ``Distinguished Alumni 
Award'' from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher 
Education. She served as Founding President/CEO of The Historic Hampton 
House Community Trust, Inc. where she saved the Historic Hampton House 
Motel from demolition, and persuaded Miami Dade County to buy the 
building to restore it. Today, it is the only motel in Miami from the 
days of segregation. Dr. Pinkney is now President Emeritus of the 
Historic Hampton House; and
  Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a member 
of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th 
Congressional District of Florida, am proud to recognize Dr. Enid 
Pinkney on her 90th birthday.

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