[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 71 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. GORDON HARGROVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 29, 2022

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Gordon 
Hargrove, a community advocate who has spent his career fighting to 
deliver basic services to the most vulnerable people in Worcester, 
Massachusetts.
  In 1957, while attending Worcester State College, Mr. Hargrove began 
working as part-time staff at the multi-service neighborhood center, 
the Friendly House. Over the course of 65 years, Mr. Hargrove worked 
from his position as a volunteer at the Friendly House to the role of 
Executive Director, in which he has served for 52 years. During this 
time, Mr. Hargrove has used his passion and knowledge to fortify the 
Friendly House as an important service provider to Worcester's 
immigrant and low-income communities.
  Mr. Hargrove played an integral role in securing funding for the 
construction of the main Friendly House building, which allowed for 
collaborative projects with family shelters across Central 
Massachusetts. In the 70s, he helped coordinate providing services to 
children with behavioral issues and advocated for health insurance 
providers to fund mental health services. Mr. Hargrove also spearheaded 
a program to provide meals to elders--making the Friendly House the 
first shelter in Worcester to do so. Today, most community service 
sites offer elder meal programs, undoubtedly due to the work of the 
Friendly House and Mr. Hargrove's leadership.
  Madam Speaker, the impact of Mr. Hargrove's advocacy cannot be 
understated. Countless people have had food on their tables, roofs over 
their heads, and a job to go to everyday because of the services 
provided by the Friendly House and the community-based solutions Mr. 
Hargrove has championed. There has never been a problem too big to take 
on or a family he didn't try to help. For over half a century, Mr. 
Hargrove has led the Friendly House with nothing but compassion and 
goodness in his heart. He has devoted his professional life to being of 
service to others and the community.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress and all the 
people whose lives were changed for the better because of Mr. 
Hargrove's work, it is my great privilege to congratulate Mr. Gordon 
Hargrove on his retirement, and to thank him for his tireless efforts 
to create a more equitable world.

                          ____________________