[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 143 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1785-E1786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             THE LEADERSHIP OF THE WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 1995
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, the District is fortunate to have as one of 
its leading publications the 104-year-old Washington Afro-American. The 
Afro is older and more revered than many of our monuments. It is a 
community voice of great credibility. Were it not for the Afro, some of 
the most important matters in the black community would go entirely 
uncovered. A newspaper does not live as long as the Afro has served 
this city unless it is serving a unique and special purpose very well.
  Every time the Afro publishes, it engages in an act of leadership. I 
would like to enter into the Record an example of that leadership. It 
is an editorial entitled ``Meeting with Newt.'' Many of my largely 
liberal Democratic constituents were suspicious when Speaker Gingrich 
asked to appear at a town meeting in the District. What did this 
unprecedented appearance by the Republican Speaker mean? How should he 
be received by residents and officials? Would he help us or hurt us?
  The Afro editorial tried to help D.C. residents and officials answer 
these legitimate questions. I urge Members to read the editorial and I 
submit it now for the Record.
                           Meeting With Newt

       D.C. residents who have an eye on the future are well aware 
     of how important it is to pay attention to the Party that is 
     in power.
       The Republicans now control both the U.S. House of 
     Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The Democrats only 
     control the White House. Therefore, it would be political 
     suicide for D.C. residents, who themselves are mostly members 
     of a minority race, to pay attention to just one party.
       It is therefore with understanding and good old-fashioned 
     common sense that we welcome the town hall meetings now being 
     held by the Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-
     Ga.).
       We applaud Cong. Eleanor Holmes Norton and D.C. Mayor 
     Marion Barry (both Democrats) and even the members of the 
     City Council and the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Franklin 
     Smith, who sat on the platform with Mr. Gingrich at Eastern 
     High School last week.
       To our knowledge, this is the first time a Speaker of the 
     House of any party affiliation has taken the time to come out 
     in 90 degree weather and listen to, not talk down to D.C. 
     residents. And to his credit, Mr. Gingrich did just a little 
     talking and a whole lot of listening. As more of these town 
     meetings are held, we urge leaders of organizations, other 
     ministers, and people who both live and work in this city, to 
     come out and tell the Speaker not just our problems but some 
     of our successes. He needs to know what is working; he needs 
     to hear from families who for generations have had an 
     interest in this city; he needs to know that there is a good 
     side, as well as a bad side, to what the Republicans have 
     planned for this city--and he needs to 

[[Page E 1786]]
     know D.C. residents are depending on him to turn his party around and 
     treat D.C. residents the same way they treat their folks back 
     home.
       Now is not the time to be quiet. Now is the time to speak 
     out. Speaker Newt Gingrich has opened the door. The next town 
     hall meeting should be held at the air conditioned convention 
     center so that the minds of speakers can concentrate on what 
     they have to say and not the heat.
       Congresswoman Norton and Mr. Gingrich have a good thing 
     going here. Let's just hope it is not all talk.
     

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