[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


 CELEBRATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND WORK OF HARLEM ACTIVIST MINNIE MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life, legacy, 
and work of Harlem Activist Minnie Moore, a dear friend, a dynamic 
political activist and an excellent community service provider. She was 
a devout Christian that lived her life with an indomitable spirit of 
love and giving. She was a compassionate, hard working, and socially 
responsible individual that gave several decades of service that 
strengthen the entire community. On June 20, at Harlem's historic 
Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Africana community gathers to 
memorialize Minnie Moore's contributions to the Harlem community. 
Minnie Moore was born on June 28, 1921 to the late Claudia and Joseph 
Gassaway. She married her childhood sweetheart, Cleveland Moore (now 
deceased) and came with him to Harlem, New York, from Dothan, Alabama, 
during the Great Migration north.
  As a life-long resident of Harlem, New York for more than 70 years, 
the impact of her meritorious service spanned many decades. In the 
early sixties Minnie was instrumental in incorporating the New York 
City Housing Authority Saint Nicholas Houses first tenants' 
association. Over a 10-year period she served in various offices 
including treasurer, vice-president and president. For many years 
Minnie was also a faithful member of the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church under 
the spiritual direction of the late Rev. William D. Gardner.
  Minnie was a `fireball' and worked tirelessly to support many 
outstanding political figures during their burgeoning years. In the 
1970's and 1980's during the `War on Poverty', Minnie Moore worked 
diligently and side-by-side with me, and my brothers Percy Ellis 
Sutton, David N. Dinkins and Basil Paterson. Other Harlem elites 
include The Hon. George Miller, The Hon. H. Carl McCall, The Hon. Fred 
Samuels, The Hon. Hilton Clark and The Hon. Keith L.T. Wright.
  She was ecstatic at the election of President Obama and held great 
appreciation in knowing her years of community service and political 
activism must have contributed in some measure to this monumental, 
historical occurrence.
  Though she was the granddaughter of slaves and did not complete her 
college education, Minnie Moore touched the hearts of the entire Harlem 
community. Minnie established the Harriet Tubman Block Association, 
which provided an array of programmatic activities including 
educational and social services to children and families through summer 
youth programs; recreational activities; annual block parties; support 
to struggling artists; after-school homework assistance; on-going 
workshops on critical social and health-related issues; pantries, flea 
markets; and donations of holiday baskets for Thanksgiving and 
Christmas.
  In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Harriet Tubman 
Block Association, Minnie held many positions of service and leadership 
within the New York area including Past-Worthy Matron of the Eastern 
Star, Universal Chapter #7; Captain of the 127th Street Block 
Association, Member Officer of HARYOU; Secretary for Community Board 
#10: Executive President of the Park Avenue North Color Guard; 
Executive President of the St. Nicholas Cavaliers Junior, Senior & All-
Girls Softball Teams; Democratic County Committee Member and an 
Alternate Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in recognizing our beloved Mother Minnie Moore and her contributions 
that has positively impacted the Harlem community and countless 
citizens across this Nation. Her dedication, commitment, and spiritual 
guidance is worthy of our Nation's highest esteem. Minnie was a family 
treasure and community icon. Her kindness, generosity and wisdom will 
truly be missed.

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