Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor a veteran journalist, a political organizer, a constituent, a neighbor, and a long-time friend, Mr. Lutrelle Fleming Palmer. He recently retired after 50 years of hard-fought and committed activism. Since 1950, Lu Palmer has been using the power of the pen and the radio to relay firsthand accounts of the triumphs and struggles of African Americans. As a newspaper reporter, mainstream columnist, and black radio commentator, Lu always did it his way. He frequently took unpopular stands on highly controversial issues. Courageously, he always did so in a very public manner, because for Lu, informing his people was a top priority. In 1981, he began to organize the politically independent organization, Chicago Black United Communities, or CBUC. Once again, Lu's motivation was to inform and galvanize the black community. The visionary efforts of Lu and CBUC were so successful that he is credited with playing a pivotal role in producing Chicago's first African-American mayor, Mayor Harold Washington. Lu Palmer's talents, vision, insight, independent spirit and love for his people is commendable and should be recognized by this Congress.”