Mr. Speaker, it is often asked, what makes a person a hero? Working with others to improve one's community, I believe, is the act of a hero. In 1967, a riot left metropolitan Detroit sharply divided along racial lines. By early 1968, shock…

Auxiliary Bishop Bennie Allison, pastor of Corinthian Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, passed away last week. Bishop Allison had a long and distinguished career as both a religious leader and a civic leader. In addition to his…

I rise today as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education. African Americans and other minorities have been affected tremendously by this landmark decision and have benefited from it over several decades. We…

Mr. Speaker, as an American, I take great pride when I see that nations value human rights. It brings me a great deal of joy to stand before you on the anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day and to honor the nation of Vietnam for its…

Mr. Speaker, each day, police officers nobly protect our families, friends, and neighbors from crime. While it is impossible to suitably thank these brave Americans for the tremendous sacrifices they make, we pause to salute them for their…

growing up in a small rural town in extreme southeastern Arkansas presented for me and many of my peers many challenges, memorable moments, and interesting personalities. On April 20 of this year, one of those personalities, Mr. Willie…

I think in many instances what has happened, many of the jobs that traditionally were held by African American males no longer exist in this country. For example, African American males worked in production. First it was in farm…

Mr. Speaker, providing America's youth with a good education has been a national priority but also a national failure. Not only are many children of our great Nation being deprived of a good academic education, but many young people today…

Mr. Speaker, in 1994, when Senator Paul Simon announced that he would not seek a third term in 1996, he said, "I have an obligation to the people of Illinois, to the Senate and to myself to leave the Senate while I am still eager to serve…

today marks the 100th birthday of my uncle who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; and I guess on May 1 hundreds of my relatives are going to converge on that city to pay tribute to him. So I simply rise to wish a happy birthday to ``Uncle…

Mr. Speaker, as the cold of winter warms to spring, and as trees bud and flowers bloom, we pause to appreciate the beauty of nature. And so it is appropriate on this perfect spring day in our Nation's Capital that we recognize the Garden…

Mr. Speaker, the concepts of equality, equal justice, equal opportunity, and equal pay have undergirded and guided the development of this Nation. One of the things that Americans have always been able to think ahead for is the idea that…

I rise to celebrate Greek Independence Day with the people of Greece and Greek Americans. March 25, 2004, marked the 183rd anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed the Greek people from the Ottoman Empire. It is important…

Mr. Speaker, I will close by just simply saying that as we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, I can think of no better way to do that than by naming a post office in honor of Lloyd Burke, whose display of courage is an indication of…

last week all of Chicago and all of those who read the Chicago Sun Times were shocked at the death of Steve Neal. Steve Neal was one of the premier political columnists in the country. I was particularly shocked because I was scheduled to…

much has been said, but then you can never say enough when the lives of thousands of people are at stake. You can never say enough when bloodshed is imminent, when chaos is all around. I have been told that the primary responsibility of…

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 264 honors the 200th anniversary of the birth of Constantino Brumidi. Mr. Brumidi was a wonderful artist who dedicated over 25 years to painting the Capitol Building. He is a symbol of the American dream. Born in…

Mr. Speaker, when John Stockton broke the career record for assists, 9,922, the owner of his team, the Utah Jazz, suggested he should set his career goal at 15,000. Such an idea was laughable, even preposterous to some. John Stockton…

Mr. Chairman, in July 2001, the Office of Personnel Management updated its report entitled Human Resources Flexibilities and Authorities in the Federal Government. The report states that the government as a single employer remains sound…

on Sunday I had the opportunity to participate in a tremendous ceremony, the naming of a dining hall at the church that I attend on a regular basis. We named it the Charlie H. Murray, the Reverend Charlie Murray, who is the pastor emeritus…

Paul Simon was absolutely the head of that part of the Democrats in Illinois that I have been associated with for so long. As a matter of fact, he was like the Seal of Good Housekeeping. That is, if you could get Paul Simon to say…

I remember a few years ago I got a call from a fellow who said to me that Vice President Al Gore was coming to town and did I want to meet with him. I said, well, I would not mind. He says, do you know who this is? I said, well, no, I…

I rise to congratulate Bankers Life and Casualty Company on their 125th anniversary, which will occur on June 17, 2004. Established in 1879, Bankers Life and Casualty Company is one of the most esteemed insurance companies in the United…

I have heard my colleagues describe the prescription drug plan as "not perfect" and a "step in the right direction." However, this legislation is neither. Our seniors will not gain better health coverage or a prescription drug benefit that…

it is said that the cruelest lies are often told in silence--in what you don't say. If that's the case, then the silence is deafening as the Medicare prescription drug legislation looms ever closer to final passage. We promised the…