[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 158 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E904-E905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING STANLEY ``STAN'' AUSTIN RANSOM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stanley ``Stan'' 
Ransom, an esteemed musician and historian.
  Stan was born in Winsted, Connecticut on January 24, 1928. After 
graduating from high school in 1945, he attended Yale University on a 
full scholarship. Stan enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946, achieving the 
rank of Corporal while serving in Japan. After his military service, 
Stan returned to Yale to complete his BA in Intellectual History, 
English, and Sociology. Stan earned his Masters Degree in Library 
Services from Columbia University in 1953 and worked for the New York 
Public Research Library.
  In 1956, Stan began working for the Huntington Public Library, first 
as Assistant Director and later as Director. In 1974, he was named 
Director of the Clinton-Essex-Library System in Plattsburgh, a position 
he held for seventeen years. Stan retired briefly before serving as the 
Director of the Plattsburgh Public Library from 2007 to 2012, for which 
he secured grant funding to upgrade computers and created a program to 
teach computer skills to local residents.
  Stan has nurtured a love of professional folk singing and 
storytelling. Developing his talents as a folk singer, known as ``The 
Connecticut Peddler,'' he recorded twelve albums of folk music from 
around New York State. Stan has performed at public libraries, 
children's centers, local nursing homes, and assisted living facilities 
across the North Country.
  Stan's historical research uncovered the works of an obscure slave 
and poet named Jupiter Hammon, who wrote poems in the 1700's in the 
Huntington area. Stan published a book of Hammon's poetry in 1970, 
earning him an Award of Commendation from the American Association for 
State and Local History. Stan established October 17th, Hammon's 
birthday, as ``Black Poetry Day'' in 1970, a holiday officially 
recognized by New York State in 2022.
  Stan is an active member of the Plattsburgh Rotary Club, Sons of the 
American Revolution, Toastmasters Club, and serves as the Secretary of 
the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. He and his wife Chris have 
been integral members of the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration 
Committee since 2000, providing 19th-century children's games for the 
annual Commemoration. Stan also performs music from the early 19th 
century throughout the Celebration weekend.
  Stan has received countless awards recognizing his contributions to 
brotherhood, libraries, history, intellectual freedom, and folklore. In 
July 2019, he was honored by the Clinton County Senior Center in their 
``Six Over Seventy'' Award series.
  On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I wish to 
recognize Stanley Ransom for his lifetime of service to this Nation, to 
the preservation of history, and to the arts.

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