Congressmen Serrano, Rangel, Engel Introduce Legislation to Rename Morris Heights Post Office After Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr.
Tuskegee Airman, Civil Rights Leader, Distinguished Educator, and Avid Runner to be Memorialized for His Work in Education and Civil Rights
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-Bronx), Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-Manhattan), and Congressman Eliot L. Engel (D-Bronx), along with all other Members of the New York Delegation in the House of Representatives, introduced legislation to rename the Morris Heights Post Office, located at 2024 Jerome Ave in the Bronx, after Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. who passed away on July 2, 2016, at the age of 94. The facility will be known as the ‘Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Post Office Building.’
“Today, I am proud to introduce legislation to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Dr. Roscoe Brown, by renaming the Morris Heights Post Office in his honor. Dr. Brown was a revered figure in the Bronx and the rest of the country for his important work in education and advancing civil rights,” said Congressman Serrano. “For years to come, the Post Office will serve as a reminder for future generations of the countless contributions this great man made to our community, the City, and the country. Dr. Brown left the world in a much better place than he found it, and it is our hope that this small gesture will help keep his spirit and memory alive in the Bronx.”
“I am proud to join my colleagues in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Roscoe Brown, a true hero, community leader, educator, and dear friend. I was honored to follow in Dr. Brown’s footsteps as a solider in the Korean War, and later have the privilege of sponsoring a bill that awarded him and the Tuskegee Airmen a Congressional Gold Medal for their patriotism and heroism in World War II. Dr. Brown's selflessness and generosity were lifelong endeavors, as he left a lasting impact in my congressional district that continues to be felt today,” said Congressman Rangel.
“Dr. Roscoe Brown was more than just my constituent: he was a national hero, a scholar, and an inspiration. The breadth of Dr. Brown’s service to his nation and community is considerable,” said Congressman Engel. “He was one of the venerable Tuskegee Airmen, flying 68 combat missions during World War II. He was a trusted voice during the civil rights movement in the 1960’s and 70’s, who later served as President of 100 Black Men, a civic organization that worked to improve the lives of African Americans. He obtained his doctoral degree from New York University and later became director of Afro-American Affairs and a professor of education there. And as impressive as those feats are, they are only but a very small sample of Dr. Brown’s accomplishments and the difference he made. I am honored to join my colleagues, Rep. Rangel and Rep. Serrano, in honoring Dr. Brown’s legacy by introducing this measure to rename the Morris Heights Post Office the Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Post Office Building.”
Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. was a Tuskegee Airman and one of the first African Americans to fly a combat mission during World War II. In 2007, President George W. Bush presented him and his fellow Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal for their heroism. Dr. Brown was also a trusted leader during the civil rights movement and strongly advocated for better treatment of African Americans in New York City during the racial discord that plagued the 1960s and 19070s. He went on to become a distinguished educator at New York University and served as President of Bronx Community College for 17 years, working to increase local partnerships with the private sector and expanding opportunities for non-traditional students. An avid runner, he helped found Bronx Community College’s Annual Hall of Fame 5k and 10k races benefiting the institution during his tenure. Dr. Brown is survived by his four children: Denis, Donald, Doris, and Dianne.
