Gregory Meeks: “Thank you, Mr. Whip, and I thank you also for bringing this recognition to Sylvia; because as a former Harlemite, I can…”

“Thank you, Mr. Whip, and I thank you also for bringing this recognition to Sylvia; because as a former Harlemite, I can recall going to Sylvia's. It was a place that brought families together. I can recall my parents bringing me to Sylvia's to have a family dinner or having breakfast in the morning. And it united people and it made us proud because it did say just what the chairman said, talking about African Americans owning their own business and feeding the masses as she did. And it was affordable. So it was a family place. And, for me, I can remember those breakfasts. Those grits and salmon cakes were just delicious and fantastic. As I am here now standing and looking, and we are talking about trade all over the world. You talk about reducing the trade deficit for the United States? Sylvia is helping to reduce the trade deficit as she now cans her food and sends it all across the world so they all can enjoy the delicious food. Thank you for honoring Sylvia Woods today because she is truly a shero, one that I can recall as a young child looking up to and saying that one day that we could be prosperous like her. Thank you for never forgetting her roots and where we come from, Mr. Whip.”