[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26623]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING ABNER W. DARBY OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN F. TIERNEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 3, 2007

  Mr. TIERNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Abner W. Darby of 
Lynn, Massachusetts. Abner Darby was born and raised in Austin, Texas, 
where he was a star athlete excelling in football and track and field. 
He went on to attend Prairie View University before he honorably served 
the country as a member of the United States Army.
  Although Abner was a Master Mechanic; owned and operated 2 gas 
stations in Lynn; and served as a housing manager for the Lynn Housing 
Authority, Mr. Darby will best be remembered for the time he spent as 
Executive Director of the Community Minority Cultural Center (CMCC). 
The CMCC provided Mr. Darby with the vehicle through which he affected 
positive change in the community and where he did the work that was his 
passion.
  Abner Darby dedicated his life to making the lives of those around 
him better. Having personally experienced the pains of segregation, 
Abner worked tirelessly to erase discrimination and open doors and 
create equal access and equal opportunity for all people regardless of 
race, creed, or national origin. He did so locally, statewide and 
nationally. Through his work at the CMCC, Abner Darby served as a 
bridge between Lynn's increasingly diverse community and the city's 
traditional, established institutions. For many, the first steps on the 
ladder of opportunity were taken on Abner Darby's back.
  Abner fought diligently to ensure that the benefits of economic 
development and employment opportunities were shared by all. He 
spearheaded efforts for the recruitment and training for Civil Service 
positions that led to the hiring of minority firefighters and police 
officers. Under his leadership, the CMCC offered job fairs, computer 
training, after school programs and ESL classes, and it also sponsored 
art exhibitions, cultural celebrations and workshops so the diverse 
communities could develop a better understanding and appreciation for 
one another. Without Abner's efforts, some would have remained 
culturally, economically and educationally deprived.
  There was only one thing that Abner Darby could not do. When asked to 
do something, Abner could never say no. More importantly, when he 
promised something, he always delivered. Abner Darby is a loyal, hard 
working and well-respected man. He is gifted with an infectious laugh, 
contagious enthusiasm and a warm, embracing personality that moves 
others to follow him.
  Tonight in Lynn, Abner Darby's family, friends, neighbors and 
colleagues will gather to salute and offer thanks to a man who has made 
an indelible mark on the city and helped its residents in countless 
ways. It is a most appropriate and deserving recognition for someone 
who has given so much of himself to his community.

                          ____________________