Crowley Hosts Local Black History Month Event with Guest of Honor U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

Nearly 1,000 7^th Congressional District Residents Join in Event to Honor Local African-AmericanLeaders for Their Service to Their Community

2011 Honorees Include State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry and State Committeewoman Barbara Brown

Special Guest of Honor U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. and Congressman Crowley

On Thursday, February 17^th, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) hosted a Black History Month event with special guest The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., U.S. Attorney General. Nearly 1,000 7^th Congressional District residents gathered at the Dreiser Loop Auditorium in Co-op City to hear Attorney General Holder speak and to honor two local community leaders, State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry and State Committeewoman Barbara Brown.

Holder, who was raised in Queens and is the first African-American to serve as the U.S. Attorney General, spoke to his vision for a more equitable future based on the lessons of our shared history.

“Black History Month is a time to pay tribute to the rich history of African-Americans and to look ahead to ways we can all work together to build stronger communities and a stronger nation,” said Congressman Crowley. “As a son of New York, a product of our city’s schools and community, and a history maker in his own right, Attorney General Holder is truly an inspiration to us all and I am honored to welcome him to New York’s 7^th Congressional District for this very special and meaningful event.”

left to right, event honoree State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, Attorney General Holder, event honoree State Committeewoman Barbara Brown, and Congressman Crowley

During the event, Crowley recognized two outstanding community leaders as this year’s honorees: State Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry and State Committeewoman Barbara Brown. Crowley acknowledged Assemblyman Aubry’s tireless efforts to improve the way we treat drug addiction and his 18 years of service to the people of Queens as a member of the State Assembly. Highlighting her lifelong dedication to her community, Crowley recognized Committeewoman Brown for her role as a social activist and community advocate, and for her commitment to serving residents and families of the Bronx.

“What makes our country great is the strength of our communities and the values of civility and virtue that all of this year’s honorees have dedicated their lives to,” said Crowley. “Assemblyman Aubry, Committeewoman Brown, and our guest of honor, Attorney General Holder, have each made a lifelong commitment to improving their communities and to promoting compassion and understanding in their neighbors,” said Crowley. “Their efforts serve as a guiding light as we work together to build a better future for all.”

Attendees at the event were treated to performances by local talent including the Tillers Liturgical Dance Ministry and the Combined Choir, both of the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona. The invocation was led by Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith Jr., Church of the Savior, and the benediction by Rev. Sheldon E. Williams, Co-op City Baptist Church.

Crowley has hosted an annual Black History Month event every year since 2000. To read Congressman Crowley’s remarks from this year’s Black History Month event, please click here.

Congressman Crowley is the seven-term representative from the 7^th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as a Chief Deputy Whip in the House of Representatives.