Louis Stokes: “As one who has seen a number of colleagues go and come over the years, I can say that the departure of Kweisi leaves me…”

“As one who has seen a number of colleagues go and come over the years, I can say that the departure of Kweisi leaves me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am proud to see the good judgment shown by the NAACP in selecting Kweisi as its chief executive officer. On the other hand, for those of us who know this institution, his leadership qualities bode a bright future for him as a leader in future Congresses. As a life member of the NAACP, I salute this organization for what has to be recognized as a coup in getting Kweisi to head up the most important civil rights organization in America. In light of its current financial problems, declining membership, and lack of national focus and direction, I think that Kweisi Mfume is the right man, at the right time, for the right reasons. He will bring to this organization the type of fresh, new leadership and eloquence that will return it to its stature of greatness. Mr. Speaker, Kweisi's whole life has been that of a man who accepts challenges head on.”