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“HONORING FRANK B. MESIAH AS HE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD FROM THE BUFFALO CHAPTER OF THE NAACP” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E791 on June 8, 2017.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING FRANK B. MESIAH AS HE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD FROM THE
BUFFALO CHAPTER OF THE NAACP
______
HON. BRIAN HIGGINS
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional service of civil rights and social justice pioneer Frank B. Mesiah as the former president of the Buffalo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as he is presented with the President's Award at the NAACP Annual Medgar Evers Dinner.
Frank Mesiah is from Buffalo's West Side and a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School, in the Buffalo Public School system he would later fight to integrate. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Buffalo State College and worked as both a Buffalo police officer, Buffalo teacher, and at the New York State Department of Labor to support his wife and three daughters.
After serving our nation and earning an honorable discharge from the United States Army in the 1950's, Frank worked tirelessly to further the civil rights movement in the city of Buffalo. Under his leadership, the local NAACP chapter saw many successes in the public sector, notably in the city's police force and the public education system.
Frank diligently played the role of watchdog in the community by exposing racism and discrimination. Through the work of the NAACP, the Buffalo Public Schools were desegregated, thanks in no small part to Frank's efforts. He also fought for reforms in the Buffalo police force to ensure black and white officers were treated equally in the workplace. The NAACP also advanced black teachers and administrators in public schools.
In addition to striving for improvements for people of color in the city of Buffalo, Frank fought for the rights of women, senior citizens, and the gay and lesbian community. Buffalo is indebted to his remarkable determination and steadfast resolve. While much work remains to be done, Frank's work and the battles fought by the NAACP under his leadership have created a better place for us all.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to highlight the tremendous service of Frank Mesiah and the Buffalo Chapter of the NAACP. Our city is so grateful for his dedication to civil rights. I wish him the absolute best in all his future endeavors.
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