Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Matthew Jefferson, in honor of his 100th birthday. Matt Jefferson and his late wife, Lillie, worked to eliminate racial, educational, and economic barriers in Newton. As Black residents in an overwhelmingly White city, they devoted themselves to their religious community, the Myrtle Baptist Church; their neighborhood, the village in West Newton, built around Myrtle; and the civil rights of people of color. Matt and Lillie helped found the Newton Interracial Fellowship to bring racial equity to Newton and helped form Newton's Fair Housing Committee, established to eliminate racial bias in housing. In 1968, Matt was appointed to the board of aldermen, becoming Newton's first Black city alderman. The board instituted the fair housing requirement that at least 10 percent of any large housing development filing for a special permit be affordable. Furthermore, he served on many boards and committees, including the Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Andover Newton Theological School, Middlesex Community College, Newton Housing Authority, and as president of the South Middlesex branch of the NAACP. Above all else, Matt is known for his kindness and generosity. He is a mentor, leader, family man, and fierce advocate for social justice. I am proud to recognize Mr. Jefferson's accomplishments this Black History Month. Happy 100th birthday. ____________________”