Marcy Kaptur: “I would like to extend deepest thanks to Congressman Garamendi for sharing his time with us and, also, to Congresswoman…”

“I would like to extend deepest thanks to Congressman Garamendi for sharing his time with us and, also, to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who has been waiting almost an hour to share her memories of a very great American. We are here this evening, Mr. Speaker, and we rise to honor the illustrious career of a dear friend and stellar colleague, the late Congressman Louis Stokes from Cleveland, Ohio. Our hearts are heavy, but immensely grateful for his path-breaking life and legendary generous service. As the first African American Member of Congress elected to serve from Ohio, he wrote new history for America, for Ohio, every day of his life. Rising from the public housing projects of Cleveland, he and his brother Carl became revered as they built a more inclusive and representative America. What courage and passion that required. A proud, personable, and gracious man whose fashion and manner exuded dignity, it was actually never his aspiration to be a politician. He opted instead to serve the local neighborhoods of Cleveland, where he grew up, after returning from 3 years of service in the U.S. Army during World War II. After using his GI benefits to go to college, Lou served in the Veterans Administration and the Treasury Department before attending law school. He loved the law. He loved being a lawyer, and he loved writing laws here. His enlightened leadership moved America forward socially, economically, and legally.…”