[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DANBURY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2007

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, throughout America, the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, has 
worked tirelessly to ensure our Nation's creed, ``that all men are 
created equal,'' rings true.
  Recently, Connecticut's Greater Danbury Chapter of the NAACP 
celebrated its 50th anniversary. I rise to honor the efforts and 
contributions of those who have been instrumental in the development of 
this local chapter over the years and commend them for their support 
and dedication to the community.
  During the height of the civil rights movement, the Danbury chapter 
of the NAACP was actively involved in numerous local and national 
events in pursuit of justice and equality. In 1963, approximately 75 
members traveled from Danbury to Washington, DC to listen to Dr. Martin 
Luther King's historic ``I Have a Dream'' speech and participated in 
the historic March on Washington.
  In 1979, Danbury's main street was flooded with some 400 people, 
including the son of President Jimmy Carter, James Earl ``Chip'' 
Carter, to march from Kenney Park to city hall protesting the 
distribution of offensive pamphlets by a member of the Klu Klux Klan.
  And in the 1960s and 1970s, the Danbury NAACP was instrumental in 
influencing policy changes to encourage the hiring of African-Americans 
and minorities citywide in response to discriminatory hiring and 
admission practices at the Henry Abbott Technical School.
  Today, continuing the tradition of promoting social justice, the 
Danbury chapter of the NAACP is focused on improving affordable 
housing, ensuring quality education for children and adults, and 
encouraging people to vote and participate in the political process. 
Under the leadership of the Reverend Ivan S. Pitts, the chapter has 
seen a surge in membership, amplified meeting attendance, and the 
renewed respect of its leaders within the community.
  Beyond today's chapter leadership, I would like to formally applaud 
former presidents of the Danbury NAACP over the past 50 years: 
Constantine Brandi, the Reverend Leslie G. Lawson, Richard Brown, Dr. 
Frederick Adam, Samuel Hyman, Sylvester Craig, Ben Andrews, Robert 
Cherry, Jr., Harold Taylor, Gladys Cooper, the Reverend Aaron Samuels, 
William J. Knight, Stanford Smith, Sr., Daryle Dennis, Sherrie Neptune, 
and the Reverend Donald Dolberry.
  Recent events in Danbury remind us that racism is not just a 
historical stain in our community--it is ever present. The Danbury 
chapter of the NAACP is an example and an inspiration to all 
organizations dedicated to the cause of justice and I am proud to 
recognize them for their efforts. I ask that all Members of the United 
States House of Representatives join me in honoring their 50 years of 
outstanding achievement.

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