Evening star., 1932-12-10
RICHARDSON GIVEN
PRAISE Of DISTRICT.
Leading CoIored Citizen Hon.
ored at Testimonial
Banquet.

High praise for his half century Of
community service was paid DR.. George
H. Richardson, leading colored citizen,
at testimonial banquet last night in
the New Masonic Temple, Tenth and
U streets, honoring him on his retire
ment from the presidency OF the Fed
Grafton of Civic Associations, Of which
he has been head for II years.
Approximately $50 guests, including
representatives Of the 18 civic associa-
tions included In the federation, and
public officials, attended the affair.
George w. Beasley, who succeeded DR..
Richardson as president Of the organi-
Zation last month, introduced Edward
F. Harris, chairman Of the Banquet
Committee, who acted as toastmaster.
List of Speakers.
Speakers included Garnet c. Wilkin-
son, assistant superintendent OF schools
James G. Yaden, president Of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Association; Lieut.
r. E. York, Assistant Engineer Com
missioner, representing DR.. Luther H
Reichelderfer; Dean Kelly Miller OF
Howard University, Judge James A.
Cobb of the Municipal Court, William
H. Lewis, president Of the Garfield
Civic Association; George T. Beason,
president of the Rock Greek Citizens
retary Of Howard University, and DR..
F. I. A. Bennett.
DR.. Richardson's career on the Board
of Education, to which he was named
35 years ago, was lauded by Mr.. VIII
kinson, who extolled him for his dill
gent attention to public duty, par
ticularly with reference to establish
ment of kindergartens and development
Of normal schools on a Democratic
basis"
Mr.. Yaden. who was head of the
Citizens Legislative Advisory Council
during two years DR.. Richardson served
on the body, referred to the retiring
federation president as "a man devoted
to interests of the entire community
and who gained the admiration Of all
who served with him."
A letter of appreciation from the
Board of District Commissioners was
read by Lieut.. York, while Judge Cobb
spoke Of DR.. Richardson's outstanding
public service and praised also that OF
his wife, Mrs. Ida G. Richardson, and
his daughter, Mrs. Virginia Richardson
MCGUIRE.
Declaring DR.. Richardson has placed
the Negro here on the positive side
of the equation of life," Dean Miller
named him "the first colored citizen
of the District" DR.. Scott described
his hobbies as "civic Righteousness
equality for all before the law, mde-
pendence Of thought and high idealism.'
The greetings of the Citizens Legisla-
tive Advisory Council were brought by
Mr.. Lewis.
Gifts Presented.
A chair and smoking stand were pre-
sented DR.. Richardson in behalf OF the
federation by Mr.. BeaSon, while Miss
Mary v. Thompson Of the ladies' aux
iliary Of the Rock Greek civic grour
presented Mrs. Richardson with 9
basket of flowers DR.. Bennett con-
graduated DR.. Richardson on behalf Of
the community and a letter Of COM
mendation from DR.. Walter H. Brooks
was read.
The banquet opened with invocation
by Rev. Arthur Chichester, chaplain OF
the Federation of Civic Associations
while music was provided during the
course of the dinner by the An-High
School Orchestra, directed by Henry
Lee Grant. The Banquet Committee
included, besides Mr.. Harris, the fol-
lowing: L. H. Ferguson, Mrs. Jacqueline
Cuney, John n. Robinson, Patrick M
Tolliver, Mrs. r. B. Coleman, William
r. Giles, Hugh Bradford, j. A. g. LII
Valle, George T. Beason and Maj. How
ard D. Queen.