[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         REVEREND SCHUPP'S VIGIL HONORS SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS

   Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I would like to take a 
moment to take note of the heroic actions of the Reverend Ronald Schupp 
who held vigil and fasted in front of the South African Consulate in 
Chicago to mark the elections in South Africa. He started fasting on 
the evening of April 26th and ended up extending his fast through the 
28th, when the South African Government extended the elections for an 
additional day.
  Ronald Schupp is a well-respected civil rights leader in Chicago. He 
leads the Chicago Free South Africa Movement and his actions have 
gained the support of such civil rights leaders as Nelson Mandela, the 
Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Coretta Scott King. He is also the associate 
chaplin of the Clara House Shelter and the People's Company for Jobs, 
Housing, and Food. He has already helped find housing for over 600 
people in the Chicago area.
  Reverend Schupp has long been active in exposing the evils of 
apartheid in South Africa. He has also held vigils in front of the 
consulate to mark Martin Luther King Day and to protest apartheid. His 
latest vigil was very different, however, since it enabled him to 
celebrate the first election in South Africa's history open to all 
South Africans. He was able to stand in symbolic comradeship with the 
newly enfranchised South African people, who lined up for miles to cast 
their first ballots.
  We all rejoice as President-Elect Mandela makes his first speeches as 
the elected leader of the entire people of South Africa. The cheers for 
Nelson Mandela are heard around the world. However, I would also like 
to take note of the people right here in the United States, who also 
reminded us, day after day, of the evils of apartheid and the 
importance of working to rid the world of the inequality and cruelty it 
stood for, people like the Reverend Ron Schupp. Some might say that 
Reverend Schupp's goal has been achieved, and there is no doubt that 
the South African elections represent a great milestone. However, as 
long as there is inequality in the world, I am sure that Ron Schupp 
will remain active, and we will always need people like him.

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