May 6, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E711 Bulfinch, the building was completed in 1796. Mr. Speaker, the reopening of the Old State TRIBUTE TO THE BRONX COMMU- On May 11 of that year, it was dedicated by House is an important moment in the history NITY COLLEGE HALL OF FAME Connecticut's Revolutionary War statesman of Hartford and of Connecticut, and I am hon- RUN and first Governor, Oliver Wolcott. ored to submit these commemorative remarks For the next 82 years, the Old State House in order to share it with my colleagues. ´ was the scene of both glorious and tragic mo- f HON. JOSE E. SERRANO ments in Connecticut's history. Here, the noto- THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF CLARA OF NEW YORK rious Amistad trial took place; here they draft- ALSTON ed the laws to incarcerate Prudence Crandall. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES But here, too, Oliver Ellsworth resigned as Monday, May 6, 1996 U.S. Senator to become the third Chief Justice HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. of the U.S. Supreme Court. Here, Lafayette OF MICHIGAN Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay and Marshall Foch were honored. Here, Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tribute to the 18th Annual Bronx Community necticut's constitutional conventions were held, Monday, May 6, 1996 College Hall of Fame Run, a 10-kilometer race first in 1818 and again, in 1965. Here, nine sit- sponsored by Bronx Community College. This Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ting Presidents of the United States visited: year's race will be held tomorrow starting from celebrate the 90th birthday of Clara Alston, a John Adams, James Monroe, Andrew Jack- Bronx Community College in my congressional constituent and friend of mine. district of the South Bronx, New York. son, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulys- Clara was born in Demopolis, AL, on May 3, ses Grant, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy 1906, to parents Ernest and Daisy. Clara The Bronx Community College Hall of Fame Carter, and George Bush. moved with her family to Detroit when she Run was established in 1979 under the lead- When the State outgrew the building in was 13, and met her husband, Spencer ership of former Bronx Community College 1878, the Old State House served as Hart- James Alston there in 1921. Clara married president Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. and con- ford's city hall for 37 years. It was later used Spencer in 1924, and they raised five children tinues under the presidency of Dr. Leo A. Cor- as a community center for the Red Cross, the in Detroit. They joined Hartford Avenue Baptist bie. The race brings together runners of all Chamber of Commerce, and the Hartford Church, where Clara is still a member today. ages from the five boroughs of New York City Symphony. When the Connecticut River flood- Clara is the matriarch of a tremendous fam- to compete in a wholesome community event. ed, the Old State House was a dry shelter on ily in southeast Michigan. She today has over The run was named after the Hall of Fame high ground. In wartime, it was a bond center. 50 grand, great grand, and great-great grand for Great Americans, a national landmark es- And always, it has served the citizens of Con- children. tablished in 1900 to honor the achievements necticut. Mr. Speaker, today we do not hear enough of men and women in science, the arts, hu- Now, on the 200th anniversary of its open- news about the great things that are happen- manities, business, and government. This ing, the Old State House will again be a lively ing in families in America's big cities. We too beautiful landmark, designed by architect presence in the center of Connecticut's capital often hear the stories of broken homes and Stanford White, features a granite colonnade city. Under the visionary stewardship of Wilson failing families. That is why I am asking that containing the bronze busts of 97 distin- H. Faude, the executive director of the Con- we celebrate the 90th birthday of Clara Alston. guished Americans. necticut Old State House, and the Old State She raised five children in Detroit. She has House Association, the building has under- lived a long and productive life as mother, I have had the opportunity to participate in gone a $12-million metamorphosis that will wife, grandmother, and as an artist and gar- 15 of the 17 Bronx Community College Hall of usher in a new era of living history, art and dener. She is the first person in her family to Fame Runs and I am thrilled to be running in museum exhibits, educational programs and reach 90 years of age, and she is the pride this year's race. The event, which was origi- entertainment. Citizens of Hartford, CT, and and joy of her large family. nally a 10-kilometer race, now includes a 10- the Nation celebrate the rebirth of this land- Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 4, Clara kilometer walk and a 2-mile fitness walk. mark, a visible symbol of our proud and di- Alston's family and friends are getting together Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me verse heritage, a gift to our children and to celebrate her 90th birthday. I want to wish in recognizing the Bronx Community College grandchildren, and a rallying point for the com- Clara a wonderful and beautiful day for her Hall of Fame Run in its 18th year of uniting munity as we look ahead to the future. special birthday. the community through healthy competition.