Political Quotes

“I rise today to remember John James Conyers, Jr., of Detroit, MI, the longest serving Black Congressman in history and a champion for civil rights and social justice. Sadly, Mr. Conyers passed away last week at the age of 90. Mr. Conyers was passionate about serving his country and his constituents, always fighting for those without a voice. Mr. Conyers was born in Detroit, MI on May 16, 1929, to John and Lucille Conyers. After graduating from Northwestern High School, Mr. Conyers worked as a welder for Lincoln automotive while attending Wayne State University. He served in the Michigan National Guard before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, where he served as a second lieutenant. After 4 years of service, he was honorably discharged and returned to Wayne State University to obtain his bachelor's degree in 1957 and his law degree in 1958. In 1958, Mr. Conyers continued his life of service as a legal aide to Representative John Dingell, Jr., of Detroit. He then ran for Congress in 1964 and for the next 53 years, represented metro Detroit in a career full of many historic firsts for civil rights and the Black community. Mr. Conyers was on the frontlines of the civil rights movement. He was a cosponsor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and worked with Martin Luther King, Jr., in Selma, AL to advocate for equal rights. In 1967, during the civil unrest in Detroit, Mr. Conyers was in the streets, encouraging peace and an end to the rioting.…”