[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12384]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SYLVIA WOODS

 Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to 
Sylvia Woods, the ``Queen of Soul Food'' and a New York icon whose 
eponymous restaurant for decades served as a home away from home for 
scores of Harlem residents, New Yorkers, Presidents, dignitaries, 
celebrities, and visitors from all over the world.
  As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sylvia's Restaurant, we 
celebrate the life and legacy of Sylvia Woods. Ms. Woods' big heart, 
entrepreneurial spirit, and extraordinary strength exemplified the 
vibrancy of the Harlem community she helped bring together.
  Ms. Woods was born in Hemingway, SC, in 1926. In 1954, she worked as 
a waitress at Johnson's Luncheonette in Harlem. Her mother helped Ms. 
Woods pursue her dreams by mortgaging the farm in South Carolina where 
Sylvia was born. Ms. Woods and her late husband Herbert used the 
$18,000 borrowed from her mother to buy the luncheonette in 1962 and 
founded the namesake restaurant.
  Ms. Woods' dream became an instant reality when people from all over 
the world flocked to 126th Street and Lenox Avenue to taste Sylvia's 
world-famous comfort food, including mouthwatering fried chicken, 
collard greens, and peach cobbler. Ms. Woods purchased six lots which 
took up nearly one city block on Lenox Avenue between 126th and 127th 
Streets, setting in motion the growth of the legendary soul food 
establishment. She ran the business until she retired at age 80 and had 
overseen its expansion to seat more than 450 people.
  Her famed eatery not only became a center of globally-renowned 
cuisine, but it also became a special meeting place for African-
American leaders. I fondly remember Sylvia's being one of the first 
places I visited with Rev. Al Sharpton in 2009 as Senator. I, along 
with countless others, deeply felt the love, life, and history of this 
iconic institution.
  Ms. Woods cared deeply about the community she loved and found ways 
to give back to her beloved Harlem. The Woods family created the Sylvia 
and Herbert Woods Scholarship Endowment Foundation in 2001 to provide 
scholarships to Harlem youth.
  Ms. Woods undoubtedly made an indelible impact on our great city and 
Nation. The landmark restaurant she created will continue to thrive for 
future generations of New York City families. Ms. Woods' legacy, 
accomplishments, and endearing spirit will live on in Harlem and around 
the world.

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