Emanuel Cleaver: “I rise today to honor a towering figure in the history of Kansas City, Missouri, and in the life of Missouri's Fifth…”

“I rise today to honor a towering figure in the history of Kansas City, Missouri, and in the life of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, Mr. Alvin Brooks, on the occasion of the 300th consecutive meeting of the Alvin Brooks Wednesday night Black men's chats. That is 300 consecutive weeks. That is 300 consecutive weeks of showing up, 300 sacred spaces for dialogue, and 300 opportunities for healing, mentorship, accountability, and growth. At age 93 years young, Mr. Brooks has not only witnessed history, he has helped shape it. As a young man growing up in the super-segregated city called Kansas City, Alvin Brooks refused to accept the limitations imposed on him by racism and injustice. At a time when the color of our skin too often determined the boundaries of our opportunity, Mr. Brooks chose courage. He chose service. He chose to become one of Kansas City's few Black police officers in 1954. That decision was not only about a career. It was about breaking barriers. It was about ensuring that marginalized voices would have a place where they could be heard.”