Political Quotes

“Today I rise in honor of Charles Blockson, a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, who dedicated his life to the preservation of African-American history. A prolific writer, collector, historian, and activist, Mr. Blockson authored 13 books and was a leading expert on the Underground Railroad. Charles Blockson dedicated his life and career to traveling and acquiring rare documents, publications, and photos to explore and expand the study of the Black American experience. He donated his remarkable collection to Temple University in 1984. Today, the world-renowned Blockson Collection houses more than 700,000 items relating to the global Black experience, serving as a resource not just for Temple students and faculty but for the Philadelphia community and beyond. An exhibition documenting Mr. Blockson's life's work can also be seen at the Centre Theater in his hometown of Norristown. Charles Blockson passed away last summer. As a tribute to his tremendous legacy, I am proud to join my colleagues Madeleine Dean and Dwight Evans to introduce a bill designating his hometown post office in Norristown as the Charles L. Blockson Post Office. ____________________”