February 29, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S969 dispute settlement system is still mend an outstanding student athlete where both the student body and the young and fragile. The FSC case from my home state of Colorado. faculty were integrated. strains its resources, which are lim- Aleisha Cramer of Green Mountain Grace Towns flourished while grow- ited. But more important, the FSC case High School has been named the 1999– ing up at AU. Once she matriculated as strains the political acceptability of 2000 Gatorade National High School a collegiate there, Grace became active the WTO system. Girls Soccer Player of the Year. in the Interracial Student Forum. She The political leaders of the EU Aleisha’s hard work and dedication took this advantage of the opportunity should not have let this case go for- earned her the prestige of being the to discuss a wide range of topics, in- ward. It was a bad judgement on their number one soccer player of 246,000 cluding those which were most racially part. Now it is in their interest and in high school girls across the country. sensitive. For her, this was a forum to the interest of the world trade system Ms. Cramer’s athletic accomplish- bring black and white students to- for them to settle this case amicably ments include being the Parade Player gether. While she was editor of the AU and fast. It will take wisdom and cour- of the Year, the National Soccer student newspaper, the Scroll, Grace age for them to do so. I hope they find Coaches of America’s Player of the wrote of the forum, ‘‘the Forum has that wisdom and courage.∑ Year as well as being accepted on the given us contact. We have heard each other’s music, and talked as fellow stu- f U.S. Women’s National Team. Aleisha has lead her team to the State Finals dents.’’ TRIBUTE TO JOHN C. SCHNABEL for three consecutive years, winning After graduating from AU in 1927, Grace Towns went on to pursue a mas- ∑ Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise the championship in 1997 and 1999. Not ter’s degree in psychology at Ohio today to recognize the work of John C. only is Aleisha an amazing athlete, she State University in Columbus, Ohio. Schnabel, who retired after fourteen is honor student with a 4.0 grade point During her college years, she became years of service from the Wisconsin As- average, a member of the student sen- involved with the YWCA. The Atlanta sociation of County Veteran’s Service ate and a volunteer for church and chapter had a burgeoning student Officers. He began his career with the school groups. movement that took a divergent ap- Wisconsin Association of County Vet- It is an honor for me to recognize the proach on race that was less cautious eran’s Service Officers in 1989 as the achievements of this amazing young than its parent organization at the Secretary of the organization. During woman. Aleisha leads by example and time. It was interracial far before the that time he used his personal laptop her work ethic, talent and civic duties first ‘‘Negro’’ was appointed to the computer to electronically record As- have made her a role model that any board. After she graduated, the Na- sociation records. This included re- student can look up to. Aleisha Cramer tional YWCA offered her a secretarial searching and organizing a history of has proved what hard work as a stu- job in one of its Negro branches. A fa- all CVSOs and Assistant CVSOs. He dent, athlete and community member vorite psychology professor at AU had also developed and printed the first can accomplish. a high regard for the psychology de- handbook for Association Officers so Again, I would like to congratulate partment at Ohio State and seeing as that policies, procedures and other in- Aleisha Cramer, the 1999–2000 Gatorade how the YWCA job would make it pos- formation were easily transferred from National High School Girls Soccer sible to finance her post-graduate edu- one secretary to the next. John Player of the Year, for her accomplish- cation at the same time, Grace decided Schnabel was effective in his career as ments. She has made the State of Colo- ∑ to go. Secretary of CVSO and went on to be- rado and this nation proud. Grace Towns later admitted that come Second Vice President in 1994, f there was no way she could have been First Vice President in 1995 and Presi- GRACE TOWNS HAMILTON (1907– prepared for what she faced in Ohio. dent in 1996. Schnabel has been the 1992) The cocoon of Atlanta University ill- Langlade County Veteran’s Services prepared her for the shock that await- ∑ Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, ‘‘A Officer for the last 14 years and is the ed her in the Ohio capital city. Barred political leader who changes his first service officer from the county to from movies, restaurants, hotels, even stances to fit the times is often called be elected president of the organiza- public restrooms, Towns felt accepted tion. a politician in the dirtiest sense of the only within the confines of the Ohio During his time as president he be- word. One who refuses to change, who State psychology department. Even the came instrumental in the establish- remains with her lifelong ideals, is YWCA, which in Atlanta had seemed so ment of the Advocacy Award as well as often called reactionary and stubborn. dedicated to the rights of all women, the state representative to coordinate But such a person may also be seen as without regard to the color of their access to VA OnLine, initiating sites possessing both honesty and intrigue.’’ skin, had its barriers and limitations. for CVSOs and WDVA. He has worked So spoke Alton Hornsby, Morehouse The prejudice and violent attitude to- on many Ad Hoc committees regarding College historian in 1990 as the city of wards blacks at the time made the computer operations and program de- Atlanta remembered one of its greatest goals and the religious and moral pre- velopment. He most recently acted as a treasures, Grace Towns Hamilton. cepts professed by the organization a member of an Ad Hoc committee to es- Grace Towns was quite simply, a leg- challenge that the ‘‘Y’’ often failed to tablish long term goals and training end in her own time. Born in Atlanta meet. for the CVSO association. During his in 1907, Grace entered this world during These factors combined to make tenure, Schnabel was also named a re- a time of severe racial tension. In fact, Grace Towns not sorry to leave Colum- cipient of the Citation for Meritorious her birthday came only 5 months after bus, Ohio in the summer of 1928. She Service, awarded by the American Le- a ferocious racial massacre in Atlanta. returned to Atlanta to finish the writ- gion’s National Veteran’s Affairs and For whites, the first decades of the ten requirements for her master’s from Rehabilitation Commission in Wash- twentieth century were the ‘‘Progres- Ohio State, having already finished the ington, D.C. sive Era.’’ For blacks, it was indeed a course work. After receiving the degree The staff and veteran clients of the most dismal era. The end of Recon- in 1929, she went on to teach at the At- Langlade County Veteran’s Service Of- struction had left blacks as an often lanta School of Social Work and also at fice and the Wisconsin Association of despised and almost always Clark College in Atlanta. She married County Veterans Service Officers will disenfranchised class made up largely the love of her life, Henry Cooke Ham- miss John’s wonderful advocacy work of dependent laborers with little land ilton, in the summer of 1930. They greatly. However, Nancy, his wife of 36 and even less rights. Atlanta Univer- moved shortly thereafter to Memphis years will enjoy spending more time sity (AU), on the city’s western where her husband had taken a job with him.∑ reaches, seemed an island of tran- doing triple duty as dean, registrar and f quility in the South, where blacks ex- professor of education. perienced the worst of the racial op- Grace Hamilton continued teaching, ALEISHA CRAMER pression and exclusion. Grace Towns’ even through the first months of her ∑ Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President—I would father was a professor at AU and she pregnancy with her first daughter El- like to take this opportunity to com- was able to enjoy a sheltered existence eanor, born in March of 1931. She had

VerDate Mar 15 2010 23:40 Dec 04, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2000SENATE\S29FE0.REC S29FE0 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 29, 2000 taken a position at LeMoyne Junior her colleagues in the Legislature to ap- ever, I want to join with the countless College and resumed teaching at prove a sales tax increase to finance a families in Missouri and across the na- LeMoyne while Eleanor was still city-wide rail and subway system—now tion in sending my thoughts and pray- young. She continued to teach there, known in Atlanta as MARTA, a crown ers to those in grief. although circumstances compelled her jewel among the nation’s urban mass Mr. President, in addition, it is im- to undertake courses that she did not transit systems. Her time in the Legis- portant to recognize the bravery, her- feel qualified to teach. In 1934, this lature was infinitely successful and in oism, and citizenship of those that frustration came to a head when gen- 1984, at the age of 78 she began to con- tried to come to Jake’s rescue. der issues and the Great Depression sider retirement. She decided for ‘‘one The man who stole the car took off forced LeMoyne to terminate her em- last go-around’’ but failed to detect the on Interstate 70 at high speed. All ployment. After volunteering with the political risk she faced. She was de- along the way, people honked and NAACP and the YWCA, Grace took a feated by a 26 year-old graduate stu- shouted from their cars for him to position with the Works Progress Ad- dent in public administration at Geor- stop. The driver was stopped and appre- ministration (WPA) conducting a sur- gia State named Mable Thomas. After hended, not by the police, but by ap- vey on The Urban Negro Worker in the almost twenty years in public office, proximately four gentlemen who man- United States 1925–1936. Grace Hamilton set out for the next aged to surround the vehicle after the In 1941, the Hamilton family returned phase of life. man left I–70 and turned onto a busy to Atlanta where Grace’s husband be- Grace Hamilton lived on another street in Independence, Missouri. The came principal of Atlanta University’s eight years, overseeing the care of her man tried to escape on foot, but was Laboratory High School. Grace had ailing husband and guiding the search stopped by these heroes who tied his never set out to be a leader, but at this for a suitable depository for her papers feet together and sat on him until the point she was thirty-four years old, had and effects. She collected numerous ac- police arrived. These men acted swiftly an advanced education degree, and had colades and awards before she finally and responsibly. worked steadily at professional jobs for succumbed to illness in 1992, survived Once again, Mr. President, my more than a decade. She knew the by her daughter Eleanor. thoughts and prayers go out to the value of community activism and edu- As we come to the end of Black His- family of Jake Robel as well as to all cation and set out to take part in the tory Month, I respectfully submit this those who witnessed such a tragedy. I fight. This led her to the Atlanta insert into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD also want to recognize the gentlemen Urban League. in honor of one of my personal heroes, who apprehended the driver. These From 1943 until 1960, Grace Hamilton Grace Towns Hamilton. Her service has honorable citizens have shown us first- served as the Executive Director of the been an inspiration to me and many hand that heroes do exist.∑ others who have known her. I am proud Atlanta Urban League. During her ten- f ure, she shaped the path of the League of her legacy in Georgia and pleased to to better serve Atlanta, which was in- have this opportunity to share it. I RETIREMENT OF CHIEF ANGELO creasingly being seen as the South’s would also like to thank Mrs. Hamil- TOSCANO ‘‘hub city.’’ She moved the focus away ton’s biographers, Lorraine Nelson ∑ Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I am de- from the national organization’s em- Spritzer and Jean B. Bergmark, for lighted to rise today to pay tribute to phasis on philanthropy and job pro- their contribution to Grace’s legacy— a well-respected and remarkable offi- curement to a more Atlanta-focused Grace Towns Hamilton and the Politics cer, Chief Angelo Toscano, whose re- program of housing, equality in school of Southern Change. tirement from the Wilton Police Force ∑ funding, voter registration and better Thank you Mr. President. marks the end of 43 years as a Con- medical care. Her biographers, Lor- f necticut law enforcement officer. Day raine Nelson Spritzer and Jean B. JAKE D. ROBEL in and day out, Chief Toscano ensured Bergmark, wrote of her legacy that it ∑ Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I come to that safety and peace prevailed in the ‘‘. . .was better appreciated by whites the floor today to extend my heartfelt Wilton community. I am honored to ex- than blacks. The white world glorified sympathies to the family of 6-year-old tend thanks and appreciation to him. her, clothing her in virtue without Jake D. Robel of Blue Springs, Mis- On behalf of the people of Wilton and flaws. The black community viewed souri. the entire state of Connecticut, whom I her with greater ambivalence, seeing One week ago Jake died after being am privileged to represent in the blemish as well as the best and came dragged for almost five miles at high United States Senate. closer to discerning the real and impor- speed by a man who had stolen Jake’s Chief Toscano was born and raised in tant person she was, probably because mother’s car in Independence, Mis- Darien, Connecticut. After graduating she was truly one of their own.’’ souri. from Darien High School he attended After Mrs. Hamilton resigned in 1960, Jake’s mom had stopped at a sand- Norwalk Community College and the she set out on her path to political suc- wich shop to run in and pick up her Federal Bureau of Investigation Na- cess. She ran in a special off-year elec- order. She left her car running and tional Academy. In 1957, after serving tion in 1965 which brought her and six Jake was waiting in the car. in the United States Marine Corps for other black Democrats into the Geor- This town and area should be safe. three years, he began his career in law gia state legislature. The first black Many would say tragedies like this one enforcement as a patrolman. His dedi- woman in the Georgia State Legisla- happen everywhere else, but not here. cation earned him the respect of his ture, Hamilton was called ‘‘Atlanta’s In this area, there are people who al- colleagues, and his leadership propelled only real integrationist,’’ ‘‘a leader,’’ ways leave their car doors unlocked him up the ranks—from patrolman, to and a ‘‘bridge-builder.’’ It was here and their keys in the ignition. Many sergeant, to detective, and finally, to where she made her most lasting con- leave their homes unlocked and have Chief of Police. tribution to her city and state, and all no idea where to find the house key. Throughout his career in public serv- agreed she was that rare person who Unfortunately, that sense of security ice, Chief Toscano remained on the gave politics a good name. I remember is now shattered. cutting edge of law enforcement tech- fondly serving with her while I was in In those few moments it took Jake’s niques, always believing that there was the Georgia state senate from 1970 mom to run into the sandwich shop, an more for him to learn. Chief Toscano until 1974. assailant jumped in her vehicle and continued his training up until the While serving in the state legisla- sped away. Jake, with his mother’s very end of his career, including par- ture, Grace Hamilton sought to help, tried to escape from the vehicle, ticipation in the Connecticut Police strengthen local government, particu- but became entangled in the seat belt. Academy, the Darien Power Squadron, larly the Mayor’s role. She also worked In a heartbeat, the car door closed— and a wide range of F.B.I. training pro- towards equal justice for blacks, and with Jake tangled in the seat belt— grams. the elimination wasted tax dollars by being dragged behind. Chief Toscano embodied everything a seeking consolidation of Georgia’s nu- I can’t imagine the loss felt by the community could hope for in a Chief of merous counties. In 1971, she persuaded family and friends of Jake Robel. How- Police. He was a veteran of the streets

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