[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8074-8075]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE GARY NAACP'S 51ST ANNUAL LIFE MEMBERSHIP BANQUET

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2016

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to stand 
before you today to recognize and commend the members of the Gary, 
Indiana, branch of the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People (NAACP). On Saturday, June 4, 2016, the Gary NAACP held 
its 51st Annual Life Membership Banquet at the Genesis Convention 
Center in Gary, Indiana.
  This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Gary NAACP. The funds 
generated

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through this event directly support the organization's many outstanding 
programs and advocacy efforts. Through its membership and the support 
of the community, the Gary NAACP is able to serve the people of 
Northwest Indiana and continue the mission started by the national 
organization in 1909 by working diligently to combat injustice, 
discrimination, and unfair treatment for all people in today's society. 
In addition, the banquet serves to update and keep the community aware 
of the NAACP's activities and to formally honor its new life members.
  This year, the Gary NAACP honored the following outstanding civil, 
community, and religious leaders who have been recognized as life 
members. The Diamond Life members include: Father Pat Gaza, Cynthia 
Powers, and Mamon Powers Jr. The Gold Life members include: Stephen 
Mays, Nate Cain, Claude Powers, Charlie Brown, Dr. Stephen Simpson, and 
Gerri Simpson. The Silver Life members include: Charles Alexander, 
Sharon Chambers, James Muhammad, Larry Dillon, Sandra Dillon, Reverend 
Curtis Whittaker, Dr. LaShawn Whittaker, Reverend Anita Marshall, 
Rinzor Williams III, Esq., Alfred Holmes, Sharon Haney, Jeana Laurie 
Payne, Darian Collins, Braden Wilson, James Powell, Thomas Newsome, Ron 
Brewer, Linda Barnes-Caldwell, Marissa McDermott, Edward Lumpkin, 
Reverend Edward Turner, Roosevelt Haywood III, MacArthur Drake, Gordon 
Biffle, Richard Hardaway, Dolena Mack, Willie Miller Jr., Raymond 
Grady, Dr. Vincent Sevier, Dr. Angelique Brown, Shelly Majors, Matthew 
Doyle, Jana Bonds, Judge Clarence Murray, Vance Kenney, Tim Ceasar, 
Barbara Taliafero, Minnie Carter, Wendell Price, Faye Barnes, Reverend 
Dr. Virgil Woods, Florita Brown, Roy Hamilton, Dr. Marlon Mitchell, 
Milton Thaxton, and Reverend Regan Robinson. The Youth Life members 
include: Bryce Carter, Brooklyn Carter, Justin Cain, Julian Powers, 
Nadia Baria, Isaac Baria, Willie Miller III, Valencia Miller, Curtis 
Whittaker Jr., Imani Powers, Michael Ayden Walden, Kendell Jackson, 
Deondra Ann Briggs, Jazmine Neal, Amya Myanna Luz Aviles, Marrell Tyler 
II, and Kelechi Greene.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in paying tribute to the newest life members of the Gary branch of 
the NAACP, as well as Stephen Mays, the current Gary NAACP president, 
Cynthia and Mamon Powers Jr., who are Honorary Chairs, and all members 
of the organization for their extraordinary efforts and tremendous 
leadership. These outstanding men and women have worked tirelessly to 
improve the quality of life for all residents of Indiana's First 
Congressional District, and for that they are to be commended.

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