Political Quotes

“Today I rise in the spirit of Black History Month to honor Leah Chase, also known as the ``Queen of Creole Cuisine,'' a renowned chef, author, and a civil rights icon in New Orleans. As executive chef at her historic restaurant, Dooky Chase's, she has served luminaries such as Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, among countless others. In 1946, she married local musician Edgar ``Dooky'' Chase, Jr., whose family owned a small street corner stand. At a time when New Orleans was starkly divided by segregation, Dooky Chase's Restaurant was one of the few places where groups of mixed races could gather publicly. As a result, the restaurant became a central hub for leaders of the civil rights movement to meet and discuss strategy. Of course these types of gatherings were highly illegal, but due to the immense popularity of Dooky Chase's, there would have been a public uproar had law enforcement interrupted business. Leah took full advantage of this and hosted Black voter registration campaigns, NAACP meetings, and countless other gatherings, and fed them well. To this day, people from across the world are blessed by Mrs. Chase's warmth, hospitality, and, of course, her cooking. She has received countless awards, has been immortalized in song by Ray Charles, and inspired Disney's first African American princess, but she remains rooted in her ministry and committed to service. This month, Mr.…”