Migrant Past - Migrant Present

Henry Lawrence, once No. 70, Offensive Tackle on the Oakland (later, Los Angeles) Raiders, earned three Super Bowl rings as a member of this World Champion team. Just as heroic is his own story, as a young migrant farmworker who became a mentor and role model for other migrant children.

Henry first came to western New York from Florida in 1969 with his mother, sister, and two brothers, picking fruits and vegetables. The Center's programs encouraged him to stay in school. He was offered both an academic and a football scholarship to Florida A. & M. University, from which he graduated in 1974. He was drafted by the Raiders that year and played with the team for 14 years.

In 1980, when the Raiders played the Bills at Buffalo, Henry came to a migrant camp near Castile, New York, bringing some teammates. One of them, the Raiders' Captain Gene Upshaw, had himself picked cotton in Texas as a boy with his own migrant family.

The players met with the crew and young people from other camps who were enrolled in the Center's education programs. They gave out 25 tickets to the Raiders-Bills game and other door prizes - clothing, blankets, soap.

Henry Lawrence later spoke out to migrant school dropouts up and down the East Coast, in public service announcements. He urged young people to stay in school, to return to school or get vocational training if they have dropped out, and always reach for their dream. His own life is a shining example.

Henry's inscription on a photograph he gave to Dr. Gloria Mattera reads:

"Dr. Mattera - Keep up the great work, for we need a great warrior such as you, who has battled unselfishly over the years. You'll always be remembered in my dreams and prayers. God bless you. Love and peace, the Kid from the Labor Camp."

He also gave her an autographed football from the 1985 Super Bowl. She reciprocated his regard and affection with a poem.

To: Henry

A young Henry worked hard picking crops,
where he learned what it takes to be tops:
namely, courage and skill,
caring folks and a will
to work hard and avoid what are flops!

To our Center young Henry oft came
for some lessons or maybe a game.
But when coeds he saw
he gazed almost in awe,
then made college his primary aim!

Now, dear Henry, a record you've set -
three rings from the Super Bowls yet!
Not to mention your songs,
and those Pro Bowl sarongs,
what is next will be anyone's bet!

Gloria Mattera, c. 1983