[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. JOE DORSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 30, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joe Dorsey on the 
occasion of his 80th birthday. Mr. Dorsey has had an incredible career 
in sports and serving his community.
  Joe was born in 1935, in Waco, Texas, to Charlie and Aldora Dorsey. 
He had five sisters: Ollie, Charlie, Alta, Evelyn, and Loretta. In 
1945, his family moved to California and settled in Albany. His father 
later opened and operated Dorsey's Locker, a popular neighborhood 
restaurant and bar in Oakland. It was more than a social hotspot but a 
haven that provided jobs for members of the community for nearly 60 
years.
  From 1948 to 1954, Joe attended Albany High School where he was a 
three-sport letterman. He led Albany High to four basketball and three 
baseball championships. During his senior year, he served as captain of 
both teams and was selected to the all-league teams to play both 
sports.
  Joe graduated from Albany High School in 1954 and enrolled in Contra 
Costa Junior College, where he continued to play basketball and 
baseball. During his freshman year, the baseball team won the Junior 
College State Championship and the basketball team won the conference 
championship. His leadership and talent on the field led to his signing 
with the Cincinnati Reds in 1957, but a shoulder injury ended his 
career after playing with the team for only two years. Albany High 
School and Contra Costa Junior College later inducted Joe into the Hall 
of Fame. Albany High School also honored him as their ``Athlete of the 
Century''.
  Joe married his high school sweetheart Bettye Willis in 1957 but they 
divorced in 1979. He later met Corrine Tucker and married her in 1984. 
From his unions, seven children were born: Adrianna, Doreen, Richard, 
Mitchell, Bruce, Tashia, and Jamareia.
  Committed to the continued success of the family business, Joe became 
a partner in 1996, working tirelessly to ensure its success. For more 
than forty years, Dorsey's Locker continued to grow and thrive in the 
Oakland community, even providing jobs to community members in need. It 
was extremely popular for its live music performances and open mic 
nights until its doors closed in 2015. It was a vital community 
institution where lively discussion and important events took place.
  On a personal note, I have known Joe for many years. He and Dorsey's 
Locker have been a part of my public and private life, supporting all 
of my efforts in extraordinary ways. Joe has been a true friend to me, 
my sisters Mildred and Beverly, and my late beloved mother, Mildred 
Massey. For this, we are deeply grateful.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District celebrates the 
extraordinary life and service of Mr. Joe Dorsey. I wish him continued 
success, happiness, and well-being for many years to come.

                          ____________________