[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10539]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION ANNIE & AVERY GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 2010

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th 
anniversary of the marriage of Annie and Avery Grant, both exemplary 
and active members of their community. A simple glance at their 
dedication to civil service in Monmouth County, New Jersey uncovers a 
long history of local works and an extraordinary drive to improve the 
state in all aspects of public life. On the day of their golden 
anniversary, Annie and Avery Grant are indisputably worthy of this 
body's recognition.
  Annie Grant was born Annie Williams in New York City on October 27, 
1935, and has been recognized as a New Jersey State Notary Public for 
her many years of tireless service in professional and public life. In 
1991, Mrs. Grant was appointed Commissioner on the Monmouth County 
Board of Taxation, a position she held for 17 years until she retired 
in 2008. She was the first African-American to hold this position in 
Monmouth County. Mrs. Grant's accomplishments extend far beyond this 
office, however, as she has also led a long life of involvement in 
local politics. In addition to being the 1989 Democratic candidate for 
Monmouth County Clerk, Mrs. Grant has been the Long Branch Democratic 
Club's treasurer for 30 years, and was named Woman of the Year in 
Politics in 1992. Her intelligence and breadth of knowledge is what led 
me to invite her to speak about Social Security reform at the 
Democratic Congressional Roundtable in 2005.
  Avery Grant was born on July 9, 1933 in Memphis, Tennessee, and has 
led a prolific life of public works. A Vietnam Veteran, Mr. Grant is a 
retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, as well as a 
Professional Engineer, formerly with East Orange and the New York 
Transit Authority. Additionally, he is tirelessly active in the 
community of Long Branch, from serving on the Board of Education for 
over 12 years running to co-founding and editing the Community 
Newspaper, a bi-weekly, Monmouth County African-American newspaper. He 
has also been involved in over eight Monmouth County organizations, 
including but not limited to the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the 
NAACP, and EXODUS, a halfway house focusing on substance abuse. His 
avid dedication to the city of Long Branch and Monmouth County landed 
him a spot on The City News' list of ``100 Most Influential in New 
Jersey.''
  These remarkable individuals married on June 12, 1960. They have two 
children, Adrianne and Avery Jr., and seven grandchildren. Their 
ability to maintain a beautiful, loving family in concert with their 
incredible efforts in their community is an inspiration to us all. They 
are valued members of their communities and a credit to the state of 
New Jersey.

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