Recognizing the Life of Ogle Harris and the Dedication of Ogle Harris Way in Occoquan

Floor Speech

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Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate the life of Ogle Harris and his contributions to the history of Occoquan, Virginia and Virginia's Seventh Congressional District.

Born in Virginia in 1872, Ogle Harris grew up as one of five children. He spent his life in the Town of Occoquan where he raised his seven children from his marriages to Cora L. Peyton and Lottie Bowles.

In the early part of the 20th century, Harris opened a business in Occoquan selling handmade ice cream out of his home's summer kitchen on Washington Street and at the African American Odd Fellows Hall. He eventually converted his ice cream shop into one of Occoquan's two main grocery stores.

Mr. Harris was known throughout the community for his honesty, generosity, and his upstanding character, which allowed his business to flourish. After his death in 1949, his son, Arthur, and his daughter- in-law, Doris, took over the store. The store served as a center for Occoquan's commercial and African American communities and continuously supported the success of the Town of Occoquan until its closure in 1974.

In recognition of and appreciation for Ogle Harris and his descendants' contributions to the Town of Occoquan, the Occoquan Town Council has bestowed the honorary designation of ``Ogle Harris Way'' to the 100 block of Poplar Alley.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Ogle Harris's life and his contributions to the Town of Occoquan. His legacy will live on through the designation of ``Ogle Harris Way'' and the memories of his impact on the Occoquan community.

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