    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)]
    [Extensions of Remarks]
    [Pages E163-E164]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                          RECOGNIZING JOSEPHINE BARBEE

                                     ______

                              HON. JOHN W. MANNION

                                  of new york

                        in the house of representatives

                          Wednesday, February 26, 2025

      Mr. MANNION. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Josephine Barbee,
    mother of UAW International Representative Mark Barbee, who resides in
    my district in Syracuse, NY.
      Born on July 23, 1939, Josephine Barbee was a devoted mother and a
    true pioneer in early childhood education and community service. Along
    with her brother, Dr. Bishop Leonard R. Williams--pastor of Zion
    Holiness Church and Bishop of the Great Lakes District--she played a
    critical role in designing,

    [[Page E164]]

    producing, and implementing vital community programs across Newark, New
    Jersey.
      Her work included the creation of summer programs, lunch initiatives,
    and a food bank that have helped meet the needs of families and
    children in underserved communities, ensuring they had access to
    essential resources during difficult times.
      Josephine Barbee also founded the M.E. Stith Daycare Center at Zion
    Holiness Church, named in honor of her aunt. This daycare center became
    a cornerstone of early childhood development in Newark, serving as a
    nurturing and educational environment for generations of young
    children.
      Her commitment to increasing community access to vital services
    continued throughout her career with the Essex County Division of
    Welfare, where she worked to improve socio-economic conditions in the
    community. Even after her official retirement in 1985 she continued to
    support youth programs that still serve the greater Newark community
    today.
      While Josephine Barbee passed away on February 1, 2025, her legacy is
    carried on by her son, Mark Barbee, who shares his mother's commitment
    to serving others, ensuring that her profound impact remains alive and
    well in the lives of those she touched. We are fortunate that Mark
    continues to carry the torch she lit in my hometown of Syracuse, NY.

                              ____________________