BUFFALO, NY-  From the floor of the House of Representatives in the United States Capitol to St John Baptist Church in Buffalo. People are celebrating the life of Frank Mesiah.

"Western New York is grateful for Frank's lifetime of tireless work to advance the cause of justice and equality," said Rep. Brian Higgins, (D) 26th Congressional District.  

"Last night I made a statement and I'm gonna make that statement here today; You're not here because Frank Mesiah died, you're here because he lived," said Rev. Mark Blue, NAACP, Pres.

On April 27th Frank Mesiah the man who led the NAACP for 20 years from 1996 to 2016 passed away at the age of 86. It was the culmination of a tireless life of public service dedicated to justice and equality for African Americans. Saturday family, friends, and elected official celebrated his lifetime of service to the community.

"Every morning that Frank was allowed to get up he took the three C's: Commitment, Conviction, and Courage," said Hazel Dukes, NYS NAACP President. 

"He made sure when that torch was passed to him he made it grow brighter and today that torch is passed to every one of us. So, we use that torch to bring light to people whose lives are not what they should be. People who have endured criminal injustice, social injustice, racial injustice and economic injustice," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.    

"Frank had that passion to root out discrimination and injustice no matter the size, no matter who it was no matter where it occurred," said Mark Poloncarz, (D) Erie County Executive.

"Because of his unrelenting fight this community is better. This community has greater unity because of the work that Frank Mesiah did," said Mayor Byron Brown, (D) Buffalo.

In honor of Mesiah's work helping to secure funding to help develop the Fruit Belt Mesiah will be posthumously appointed as honorary chairperson of the Fruit Belt Corporation.

Following the Church Service he was laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore.