[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 4314-4315] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]LEE V. CHARLTON PRESENTED WITH THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD ______ HON. BARNEY FRANK of massachusetts in the house of representatives Friday, February 13, 2009 Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, while I very much enjoyed attending the Democratic Retreat and found it very valuable, it did have one downside for me: It meant that I had to miss the ceremony held at the Public Library in New Bedford on Saturday, February 7th, recognizing Lee V. Charlton for the great work he has performed on behalf of equality for all in Southeastern Massachusetts, and indeed for all that he has done in a wide variety of ways to improve the quality of life in the Greater New Bedford area. In recognition of his leadership role, including his longtime presidency of the New Bedford branch of the NAACP, his work in the YMCA, his efforts on behalf of United Front Housing, the leadership he has shown in our community action agency, People Acting in Community Endeavors, and many other areas, he was presented with the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award by Bridgewater State College at this year's Martin Luther King Breakfast. I very much regret the fact that the Inauguration of our new President also kept me from attending that event, because I would very much have liked to have been there to pay a very well-deserved tribute to Lee Charlton. As a Member of Congress representing New Bedford since 1993, I have benefitted enormously from Lee Charlton's commitment, wisdom and thoughtful approach to public policy. Madam Speaker, as a dedicated public servant, serving as plant engineer at New [[Page 4315]] Bedford High School and the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, and as a citizen activist, Lee Charlton has been a source of strength on whom others have relied. It is entirely fitting that he was given the Martin Luther King Award, and that the people of his home city of New Bedford honored him on February 7th. Lee Charlton is an example of the kind of citizenship we should be promoting and I ask that the information about Mr. Charlton and the award he won be printed here. The Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award Mr. Lee V. Charlton Mr. Charlton has been president of the New Bedford branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1983, He has also held office on the regional level, representing 20 NAACP branches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. His affiliations are numerous as he has served on boards of directors for the Greater New Bedford YMCA, the Salvation Army of New Bedford, United Front Housing, South Shore Minority Business Circle, People Acting in Community Endeavors, New Bedford Historical Society, South Center Community Development Corp. and New Bedford Economic Development Council, among many others. Prior to his retirement, he was plant engineer at both New Bedford High School and later at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. Previously, he was employed with IBM and at the Job Corps Center of New Bedford. He served for eight years in the United States Air Force in civil engineering in the field of steam engineering, HVAC and plumbing. He has earned numerous professional and community awards in recognition and appreciation of his service and contributions, especially in the arena of social justice. A native of West Virginia, he is the husband of Francisca (Britto) Charlton. They have two children, Kenneth L. Charlton, and Karen L. Charlton, and a great-grandchild, Lee V. Charlton II. Mr. Charlton is a graduate of Huntington High School in Huntington, WVa, the Steam Engineering/Utilitiesman School of the United States Air Force and the United States Navy in Oxnard, CA; Customer Engineering School at IBM in Boston; and the Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Services Engineers in Boston. ____ Lee V. Charlton Lee V. Charlton was born in Coalwood, West Virginia, the son and grandson of bituminous coal miners. Charlton attended all-black segregated schools until 1956 when he transferred from Frederick Douglass High School to his neighborhood school, the predominantly white, Huntington High School in Huntington, West Virginia. Charlton made local history by being the first African to show up and play for the school's football team. While stationed in at Keno Air Force Station in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Charlton and two other airmen from Kingsley Field requested the assistance of the local NAACP. The Klamath Falls Branch of the NAACP met in private homes and was at least 60% white. The Klamath Falls Branch inspired Charlton to ``pay back the support when- ever possible.'' Charlton was quoted as saying ``because the NAACP and the state of Oregon upheld my civil rights, while the military denied three career airmen the right to wear their military uniforms to the discrimination hearing. I will forever grateful and indebted to the cause of the NAACP. Charlton's expressed indebtedness to the NAACP proved to be no idle declaration. Charlton served as 2nd Vice and 1st Vice President from 1978-1982. In 1983 Lee V. Charlton began the first of twelve consecutive terms of President of the New Bedford Branch, twenty four years of stellar leadership to the organization that he held so dear to his heart. In addition to service to the New Bedford Branch, he has served in numerous capacities with the NAACP New England Area Conference of Branches. This including being elected three times as 1st Vice President to NEAC/NAACP. His contributions and impact have been realized throughout the region. During those twenty four years Charlton served with distinction, raising the stature, stability, and accomplishments for and through the Branch. In 1996, Lee Charlton joined with former City Councilor, George Rogers to move the City of New Bedford to pay proper tribute to one its greatest historical figures, the slave abolitionist, feminist, and champion of universal human rights, Frederick Douglass, who formerly lived in New Bedford. Charlton and Rogers were instrumental in getting a marvelous monument to Frederick Douglass erected in front of City Hall. More than erecting the monument, the effort served to bring greater attention and awareness of people of New Bedford to the historical contributions of New Bedford's people of color. To enhance his effectiveness as President of the NAACP Carlton has volunteered to serve on many community executive boards or Committees. The following is a partial list: Chairman; New Bedford Title I Parents Advisory Council, Moby Dick Boy Scouts/OLOA Church; Chairman, webelo Leader, Scoutmaster, Executive Boards; SouthCoast YMCA, Salvation Army, People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE), United Front Homes Board of Directors, New Bedford Economic Development Council, Cooperator Compass Bank, Garden Of Peace (Boston), New Bedford District Wide School Improvement Council, South Central Community Development Corporation, First Vice President; South Shore Minority Business Circle. ____________________