[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 23, 2022)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E869] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING REVEREND ANN GRAY BYRD ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, August 23, 2022 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Ann Gray Byrd for her outstanding contributions to our community. Rev. Byrd was born March 30, 1936, in Tatum, Texas. She moved to Santa Rosa in 1952, where she was one of only three Black students at Santa Rosa High School. From a young age, she was deeply involved in the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), cofounded by her father. During her 70 years living in Santa Rosa, Rev. Byrd went on to make an incredible impact in our community through her work serving as the President of the Santa Rosa-Sonoma NAACP chapter. She also served as Sonoma County Chapter Chair of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In 1992, Rev. Byrd helped to establish and served as the Executive Director of the Gray Foundation. The Foundation provided over $180,000 in scholarships to help low-income Sonoma County high school students attend college. Rev. Byrd was a founding member of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women and Sonoma County People for Economic Opportunity. Rev. Byrd was the recipient of the 2016 ACLU Jack Green Award and multiple NAACP accolades including the Legacy Award. She was also recognized with a Woman of the Year award by the California State Legislature in 2005. In addition to her extraordinary public service, Rev. Byrd devoted her life to her two children, two grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren. She instilled the spirit of activism in her family and was proud of young people carrying on her legacy by taking to the streets to advocate for a better future. Ms. Byrd passed away on July 7, 2022, and she will be greatly missed by our community. Madam Speaker, it is evident that Rev. Ann Gray Byrd has left a monumental impact on our Santa Rosa community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her and her legacy here today. ____________________