November 1, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E2047 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING ROXCY O'NEAL BOLTON cated to all women who have made contribu- Thompson, he had accumulated the largest tions to our community. collection of Guyanese artifacts in the world. HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN Roxcy continues to be a champion for wom- The collection was recently destroyed by fire, OF FLORIDA ankind. She continues to preserve and recog- and it is our fervent hope that Guyanese orga- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nize women's role in history, and fight for nizations can put together the resources to re- Wednesday, November 1, 2000 human rights, social welfare issues, and an plenish and restore this magnificent collection. end to sexual discrimination in employment The name of those associated with this or- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today, I and in education. ganization are too numerous to mention, but would like to honor Roxcy O'Neal Bolton, a Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have Roxcy among the prominent supporters were pioneer feminist in my congressional district, O'Neal Bolton in my congressional district, and Eustace Bowen, Frank Applewaite and P.J. who championed the rights of women by wid- I wish her many more successful years in the Storey from the Georgetown Dramatic Club; ening the gate to equality. ongoing struggle for women's issues. I ask my David Nurse, Euphemia Nurse and Clarence Born in Mississippi in 1926, Roxcy Bolton colleagues to join me in saluting this Florida Griffith from the Help Guyana Movement; has always been a trailblazer. She was a per- heroine for her remarkable dedication to Pearl Softleigh from Daneco; Rev. Gladwyn sistent advocate who served as a powerful women and for making South Florida a better Frazer and Edward S. Butts from the British voice for women whose needs were not being addressed. place to live. Guiana Benevolent Association; Theresa Through her actions, Roxcy demonstrated f Bowling, Ivan Cameron, Dolly Davis, Leslie her courage and conviction. She showcased Hendricks and Claire Johnson from the Guy- TRIBUTE TO THE ALLIED ana group in Queens; Dr. Thomas E. Thomp- the problems facing the women of her time, ORGANIZATIONS OF GUYANA, INC. and encouraged them to take action and ex- son. Victor Blair and Dr. Marguerite Thompson pand the fight for equal rights. from the Guyana Educational and Cultural As- In South Florida, Roxcy's plight for equality HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS sociation. helped to facilitate change. In the workplace, OF NEW YORK f Roxcy demanded equal respect, equal oppor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING CLAYLA DAVIS tunity and equal pay for men and women. In Wednesday, November 1, 2000 dining clubs, as was the custom of the time, working men had special dining areas. During Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I pay trib- HON. MIKE THOMPSON business day lunch hours, men were seated ute to a remarkable cultural and humanitarian OF CALIFORNIA and served quickly while women, and even organization which has helped to promote and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sustain the national pride of the Guyanese working women with short lunch hours, had to Wednesday, November 1, 2000 wait in line, looking at empty seats in the community in America and to provide humani- men's section. By writing letters, meeting with tarian assistance to indigent groups in Guy- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, restauranteurs, and organizing women, Roxcy ana. Today, I celebrate the 40th anniversary today I honor Ms. Clayla Davis for her 41 Bolton changed this policy and, soon, the of the Allied Organizations of Guyana. years of dedicated service to the people of ``men only'' policy became obsolete. This organization was established in 1960 to Napa County, California. Ms. Davis is retiring Roxcy was also a fighter on behalf of promote the cultural, social, economic, and on December 31st of this year from an excep- abused women. In 1972, she founded Women political welfare of the Guyanese American tional 25-year career as Director of the Saint in Distress, the first women's rescue shelter in community and to provide humanitarian assist- Helena Public Library. Florida to provide emergency housing, rescue ance to indigent groups in Guyana. During its Ms. Clayla Davis has lived in Napa County services, and care to women who found them- stewardship of 40 years, it has achieved both for most of her life. Prior to being hired as Di- selves in situations of personal crisis. During objectives. It has helped to create a national rector of the Saint Helena Public Library in that time, no one talked about rape, much less pride among Guyanese in America, while pro- 1975 she distinguished herself in several did anything about it. Brave victims who actu- viding vital humanitarian assistance to indigent posts at the Napa City-County Library. ally reported their trauma were often treated groups in Guyana, such as the Archer's Ms. Davis shepherded the Saint Helena callously. Roxcy was not afraid to speak on Home, the Dharma Sala, the Children's Wing Public Library through several difficult transi- behalf of these women, and she did so pub- of the Georgetown Public Hospital, and the tions. Soon after taking over she oversaw an licly with a march against rape down Flagler Convent of Mercy. ambitious expansion plan to move the library Street in downtown Miami. Approximately 100 The organization was founded in 1960 by into a new building. When a series of budget women gathered to march with Roxcy to make two outstanding Guyanese AmericansÐDr. cuts in 1978 imposed a 29 percent funding re- the community take notice of their concerns. It Aaron (Neddy) Peters and Dr. Thomas E. duction midway through construction, Ms. was the first time women had taken to the Thompson. Neddy Peters was a successful Davis rescued the project through a series of streets, and Roxcy knew that if women band- physician of Guyanese descent who had es- sort-term fiscal austerity measures. In the ed together they were going to make a dif- tablished a large and successful medical prac- 1990s Ms. Davis saw the library through two ference. Shortly thereafter, Roxcy approached tice in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of major remodeling and expansion efforts, effec- every local official and persuaded them that Brooklyn. He devoted a considerable portion tively doubling its size. something had to be done. In 1972, her efforts of his time, energy and financial resources to Ms. Davis was instrumental in modernizing resulted in the first Rape Treatment Center in promoting humanitarian efforts in the U.S. and Saint Helena library resources. She led the li- the country located in my congressional dis- Guyana. So devoted was Neddy Peters to the brary into the computer age; from one com- trict at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. In nation of Guyana that he requested that his puter to aid circulation to comprehensive re- 1993, this Rape Treatment Center was named body be returned and interred in the soil of source integration throughout the library. Fur- after Roxcy Bolton. Guyana. He died in 1971 and his body was in- thermore, Ms. Davis was instrumental in the Roxcy also organized Florida's first Crime terred in Guyana. development of Solano, Napa, and Partners Watch meeting to help curb crime against Dr. Thomas Eustace Thompson was a well- (SNAP); a library consortium that provides pa- women. She has served on many boards and known teacher and administrator in the public trons in two countries with shared data base commissions working for women's rights, and school system in New York, who has lived in and efficient interlibrary loan services. has been the recipient of numerous civic the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Like Ms. Davis cultivated a strong ``Friends of the awards relating to her work with women's Neddy Peters, he devoted a considerable por- Library'' organization which succeeded in rais- rights. tion of his time, energy, and financial re- ing over $2 million for building projects and In 1992, she helped form the Women's sources to promoting the arts and culture of capital funds. Ms. Davis also established a Park, the first park in the United States dedi- Guyana. Together with his wife, Dr. Marguerite partnership with the Napa Valley Wine Library ∑ This ``bullet'' symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate 11<MAY>2000 02:49 Nov 02, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01NO8.000 pfrm04 PsN: E01PT1 E2048 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks November 1, 2000 Association, increasing the library's extensive Truly, her work embodies the spirit of advo- efforts being led by Congresswoman NANCY collection of wine-related books and other re- cacy that will ensure educational excellence in JOHNSON on this issue. source materials into a nationally recognized the nation's public schools for our children. f collection. f Ms. Davis' commendable career was PERSONAL EXPLANATION marked by exceptional customer service as a PERSONAL EXPLANATION librarian and Director. A friendly atmosphere HON. TODD TIAHRT and superior service prevailed in both libraries HON. JERRY WELLER OF KANSAS where she worked, a result of her positive out- OF ILLINOIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES look that was contagious among her staff. Ms. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, November 1, 2000 Davis was particularly attentive to the needs of Wednesday, November 1, 2000 children and families, ensuring a welcoming Mr. TIAHRT.