[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 4429-4430] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO HARRIET TUBMAN AND THE 2006 HARRIET TUBMAN SPIRIT AWARD RECIPIENTS ______ HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL of new york in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significance of the Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards, created to honor women of New York State who have perpetuated Tubman's legacy and her humanitarian accomplishments and to praise the 15 women chosen to be recipients of such a prestigious honor. Harriet Ross Tubman was a great liberator who was a monument to courage and determination in the fight for freedom and human rights for slaves in bondage. Harriet Tubman was called the ``Moses'' of her people. She was born on a plantation in Maryland, in or around 1820, and escaped from slavery in 1849. Upon gaining her freedom, Harriet Tubman settled in Philadelphia where she met William Still, the Philadelphia ``Stationmaster'' of the ``Underground Railroad.'' In 1850, Harriet Tubman became a ``conductor'' on the Underground Railroad and eventually became the most influential of all the ``conductors'' by returning to the South 19 times through the Underground Railroad, freeing 300 slaves. In the mid-1850's, Harriet Tubman made the acquaintance of United States Senator, Secretary of State and former New York State Governor William H. Seward and his wife, [[Page 4430]] Frances, in Auburn, New York. In 1857, the Sewards provided a home for Harriet Tubman in Auburn, which she later purchased and used as new headquarters for the Underground Railroad. Since 1995, New York State has assisted with efforts to recognize Harriet Tubman's legacy. In 1999, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) helped to document and list Tubman's historic brick home, her church and her gravesite in the Fort Hill Cemetery to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. In February 2001, Governor Pataki announced the creation of a $1.4 million Underground Railroad Heritage Trail Grant Program to enhance heritage tourism and support site improvements at historic sites and interpretive centers commemorating the Underground Railroad across New York State. In addition, the Governor committed more than $280,000 in Bond Act funds to restore Harriet Tubman's home in Auburn. An additional $100,000 was provided in 2002 to help restore the Harriet Tubman Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, also in Auburn, New York. In 2003, Governor George E. Pataki proclaimed March 10th as ``Harriet Tubman Day''. He then officially signed into law a bill designating the day as a day of commemoration in New York State for the life and heroic contributions of Harriet Ross Tubman. Governor Pataki chose March 10th because it is the day Harriet Tubman died in 1913 at the age of 93. As part of the State's tribute, the second annual New York State Governor's Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards were presented to 15 women, whose accomplishments strongly embraced the spirit of Harriet Tubman, The 15 honorees have shown through their tireless efforts significant contributions to the culture and well being of New York and have paved the way for future leaders in the ongoing fight for human rights. All of these women, like Harriet Tubman, possess a pioneering spirit of excellence. The 2006 Harriet Tubman Spirit Award recipients were: Zenaida Chape', NYC Humanitarian and Community Advocate; Sarah Curry-Cobb, Pioneer and Civil Rights Advocate from Albany: Dr. Joan O. Dawson, NYC Educator and Youth Advocate; Patricia A. Devine, Youth Advocate from Albany; Maria Ginter, Diversity and Community Advocate from Albany; Mona Golub, Pioneer and Cultural Arts Advocate from Schenectady; Alvania Hill, Educator from Albany; Sharon Jordan Holley, Educator and Historian from Buffalo; Reverend Carolyn Peterson-Vaccaro, Women and Family Advocate from Albany; Frances Ethel Powell Pratt, Civil Rights Advocate from Nyack; Ruth Russell, Health and Community Advocate from Rensselaer; Dr. Cecilia Sanz, Children and Family Advocate from Albany; Rose Stuart, Pioneer and Family Advocate from Albany; Meilin Tan, NYC Humanitarian and Entrepreneur and Benita Zahn, Health and Media Advocate from Albany. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this stellar award and the very deserving recipients during the 2nd anniversary month of the New York State Governor's Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards. ____________________