[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 30 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H647-H648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING MATTHEW JEFFERSON ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

  (Mr. AUCHINCLOSS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my 
constituent, Matthew Jefferson, in honor of his 100th birthday.
  Matt Jefferson and his late wife, Lillie, worked to eliminate racial, 
educational, and economic barriers in Newton. As Black residents in an 
overwhelmingly White city, they devoted themselves to their religious 
community, the Myrtle Baptist Church; their neighborhood, the village 
in West Newton, built around Myrtle; and the civil rights of people of 
color.
  Matt and Lillie helped found the Newton Interracial Fellowship to 
bring racial equity to Newton and helped form Newton's Fair Housing 
Committee, established to eliminate racial bias in housing.
  In 1968, Matt was appointed to the board of aldermen, becoming 
Newton's first Black city alderman. The board instituted the fair 
housing requirement that at least 10 percent of any large housing 
development filing for a special permit be affordable.
  Furthermore, he served on many boards and committees, including the 
Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Andover Newton Theological School, Middlesex 
Community College, Newton Housing Authority, and as president of the 
South Middlesex branch of the NAACP.
  Above all else, Matt is known for his kindness and generosity. He is 
a mentor, leader, family man, and fierce advocate for social justice.

[[Page H648]]

  I am proud to recognize Mr. Jefferson's accomplishments this Black 
History Month. Happy 100th birthday.

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