[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12776]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATION FOR THE LIFE OF GERTRUDE HOFFMAN PEELE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 2011

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of 
the Third Congressional District of Florida, and myself, we are deeply 
and profoundly saddened by the loss of our friend, Gertrude Hoffman 
Peele. Her motto was ``All we need to do is go for it'' and she always 
did.
  Gertrude grew up in Jacksonville when it was extremely segregated. As 
the only black family in her neighborhood, her parents never let her 
play outside and when some black families moved into the neighborhood, 
the Hoffman's playroom became the place where the black kids could 
gather safely. She recently told the story of how she had to run 
through certain neighborhoods just to get to school or attend a 
football game. She did not let these experiences break her spirit, 
however. She was inspired by her grandmother's words, `Brighten the 
corner where you are. If it's not bright enough for you, you make it 
bright. Take the light to the corner.'
  During the civil rights movement, she was raising her daughters and 
didn't have time to march. Instead, she spent her time making friends 
with people who could understand what the movement meant. Relationships 
meant so much to her that she said her greatest accomplishment was 
changing the way women in Jacksonville work together.
  In fact her accomplishments were many. The very essence of Gertrude 
Peele was service to, and for others. From her position as wife, 
mother, grandmother, to business and community leader, to officer of 
the National Council of Negro Women, to countless positions in 
national, state and community leadership positions and her tireless 
work on behalf of at-risk girls, Gertrude Peele meant service, 
dedication, leadership, and caring. Most recently, she was dedicated to 
The Reed Educational Campus, which provides a home-style environment 
for at-risk, tween girls to foster self-esteem, healthy lifestyle and 
academic success.
  All our lives and those of generations to come have been made the 
better by the love and commitment of our dear sister, Gertrude Hoffman 
Peele. May she find perpetual peace and glory now in the loving embrace 
of her Heavenly Father, and forever abide in a special place in our 
hearts.

                          ____________________