Benjamin Gilman: “I rise in support of the designation of the Carl B. Stokes United States Courthouse. In 1967 Carl Stokes was elected as…”

“I rise in support of the designation of the Carl B. Stokes United States Courthouse. In 1967 Carl Stokes was elected as the first Afro-American Mayor of Cleveland. His victory was a milestone in the Black empowerment movement of the late sixties and early seventies. Mayor Stokes was born June 21, 1927 in a Cleveland housing project. His upbringing is what made it possible for him to be so close to all his constituents. The bond he shared especially with the lower income families of Cleveland had motivated him to push legislative acts such as the awarding of federal money to urban renewal projects and programs that required city contractors to employ more minorities. Carl Stokes' career is also highlighted with his service as a Cleveland Municipal Judge. As a Ohio State legislator subsequent to his service as Mayor, he became a New York City anchorman. In 1994 he was appointed an Ambassador to Seychelles by President Clinton where he served until his death in 1996. The service of Ambassador Stokes is deserving of this honor and I strongly urge my colleagues join me in support of this bill.”