[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 31, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H1054-H1057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KWEISI MFUME

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Towns] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. 
Mfume].
  Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I know the time of the gentleman is short, 
but I do first of all want to thank my colleague from Maryland. We were 
elected together in 1986, kind of cut our teeth here in this House 
together and grew to be dear, dear friends. Connie, I will miss you 
very much also, and I thank you for your kind words and for coming 
here.
  Vic, let me thank you also for yielding part of your time that the 
gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] might in fact be recognized. 
We have a long way to go in this institution, but clearly, individuals, 
such as yourself, who are coming here with bright ideas and a real 
commitment for change will make that happen.
  Thank you so much for coming out and for being a part of this, and I 
mean that honestly from the bottom of my heart. I look forward, beyond 
this point, to working more with you. Thank you.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Congressional Black 
Caucus, the voice of Mr. Kweisi Mfume was loud and his message was 
clear. On the issue of establishing democracy in South Africa and 
throughout his career, Kweisi has spoken his mind and supported first 
amendment protection for freedom of speech, even in the face of vile 
and hateful remarks uttered by others.
  Wherever the fight has had to be, Kweisi has been in the thick of it. 
His vision, strength, and leadership have been vitally needed. He has 
never wavered in his support of affirmative action, minority small 
business development, health care reform, community reinvestment, and 
protection of civil rights.
  Kweisi's voice has been one of reason, vision, and principle. He has 
been a foot soldier on the front line and an able member of the 
Democratic leadership. He has been effective in the boardroom, 
courtroom, and the streets of public opinion have been his battleground 
and pulpit for highlighting causes that are just and necessary.
  Those of us who have served in this body have seen an erosion in the 
confidence of voters regarding public officials and institutions of 
government.
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois.
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding, because I too want to pay the highest tribute to our longtime 
colleague and close friend, former Congressional Black Caucus Chairman, 
Kweisi Mfume, and to say that he has been a wonderful leader in our 
Congressional Black Caucus, as well as a premier Member of this body; 
and I thank you for yielding, because I know your time is short.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay the highest tribute to my long-time 
colleague, close friend, former CBC chairman, and one of the most 
outstanding Members of this body, Congressman Kweisi Mfume of Maryland. 
There is no doubt that he will be sorely missed by this institution as 
he moves on to his new role as chief executive officer of the NAACP.
  Throughout his tenure in Congress, Representative Mfume has been a 
powerful, articulate, and respected champion of average hard-working 
Americans, the elderly, our children, and the underprivileged. He has 
generously lent his time and his talents to the causes of justice, 
civil rights, and economic and educational empowerment for all citizens 
of this Nation. In so doing, he has been extremely successful in 
building coalitions to help advance the needs of those whose voices are 
least often heard in Washington and in the corridors of the Capitol.
  I recall a commercial jingle that I think is a fitting phrase to 
describe Congressman Mfume's significant presence: ``When Kweisi Mfume 
speaks, people listen.''
  It is particularly in the area of minority business and community 
development that Congressman Mfume has been without peer in the House 
of Representatives. As an active force on the Banking and Financial 
Services Committee, Kweisi Mfume has tirelessly advocated landmark 
legislative initiatives to expand access to credit and lending 
opportunities for small, disadvantaged entrepreneurs and firms. He 
expertly crafted minority contracting and employment amendments to the 
Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery Act. In addition, he deftly 
strengthened the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and amended the Community 
Reinvestment Act in the interest of minority financial institutions.
  But it was in the 103d Congress, as chairman of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, that Kweisi Mfume's star shined the brightest and America 
stood up and took notice of this remarkable and truly distinguished 
gentleman. His term as chairman of the CBC marked the pinnacle of the 
caucus' power and influence on Capitol Hill, at the White House, and, 
yes, across the country. From securing increased funding levels for 
targeted education, environmental protection, and health care programs 
in the 1993 budget to negotiating effective prevention initiatives 
included in the 1994 crime bill, Kweisi Mfume stood firm for the 
convictions of the caucus, the rights and needs of our constituents, 
and the principles of equality and liberty for all.
  I thank my colleague, Congressman Cardin, for holding this special 
order in honor of Representative Mfume. I wish Kweisi all the best in 
both his personal and professional endeavors. It has been not only a 
pleasure but also a privilege to serve with him in this august body.
  I know for certain that the NAACP will thrive under Kweisi's 
direction. They are lucky to have someone with his stature, strength, 
honor, and intellect to lead them forward at this important time in the 
history of that vital organization and the history of our Nation.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for 
yielding and take just a moment, and I will have a much more extensive 
statement to submit for the Record, because I believe that Mr. Mfume 
represents the very best that this body has to offer. He is the 
personification of leadership, of vision.
  We came here together, elected in 1986 and came here in 1987. He has 
been a great Member, a good Member. I hate to see him leave this place, 
but I know he is going on to bigger and better things. He will provide 
leadership for the NAACP, but in providing leadership for the NAACP, he 
will be providing leadership for this Nation.
  So let me say to Congressman Mfume, my friend, my leader, and my 
brother, we wish you well, and Godspeed.
  Mr. TOWNS. I would be delighted to yield to the gentleman from Ohio, 
the dean of the Ohio delegation [Mr. Stokes].
  Mr. STOKES. I thank my distinguished colleague and friend from New 
York for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I regret that because of the time constraints today, due 
to our schedule on the floor, that we will be unable to spend time 
paying tribute to a man who deserve tribute from so many of us who want 
to participate. Hopefully, we are going to be able to get additional 
time, so at this time what I would like to do is just commend Mr. 
Cardin and Mr. Hoyer and 

[[Page H1055]]
others who have spoken here for providing us the opportunity to pay 
tribute to this distinguished colleague who will be departing.
  I will reserve the balance of my comments, either for submission to 
the Record or for a later Special Order, if we can get additional time.
  I just want to say to Kweisi Mfume that we have great respect and 
admiration and love for you, and all of us wish you Godspeed in your 
new career.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan.
  Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on a personal level, I want to 
pay special tribute to Mr. Mfume's contributions to the Congressional 
Black Caucus. As chairman for 2 years, he energized our membership and 
inspired our organization to attain new and unprecedented heights.
  In closing, not only do I applaud you, Mr. Mfume, for your 
outstanding political achievements, but I also thank you for your 
profound contributions in preserving equal rights for all citizens. You 
have truly emerged as a national leader and one of the most respected 
voices in the ongoing human rights struggle. Thank you.
  I am very pleased today to pay tribute to my distinguished colleague, 
the Honorable Kweisi Mfume. Mr. Mfume, I first want to congratulate you 
on your outstanding political career. As we know, Mr. Mfume was elected 
to Congress 9 years ago to represent the interests of Maryland's 
Seventh District. And, while he has represented the interests of his 
constituents with unquestionable excellence, Mr. Mfume's influence 
extends far beyond the boundaries of Maryland. Indeed, all of here in 
Congress and across these United States have benefited from Mr. Mfume's 
exceptional leadership.
  During his tenure in the U.S. House or Representatives, Mr. Mfume has 
been a dedicated advocate of landmark civil rights legislation. 
Minority businesses across the Nation have particularly benefited from 
Mr. Mfume's contributions in obtaining favorable amendments to the 
Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery Act, the Equal Credit 
Opportunity Act, and Community Reinvestment Act. Impressively, Mr. 
Mfume also successfully cosponsored the Americans with Disabilities 
Act, and amended the Civil Rights Act of 1991 to apply to U.S. citizens 
working abroad.
  On a personal level, I want to pay special tribute to Mr. Mfume's 
contributions to the Congressional Black Congress. As chairman of the 
CBC for 2 highly successful years, Mr. Mfume energized the membership 
and inspired the organization to attain new and unprecedented heights.
  In closing, Mr. Mfume, not only do I applaud you for your outstanding 
political achievements, but I also thank you for your profound 
contributions in preserving equal rights for all citizens. You have 
truly emerged as a national leader and one of the most respected voices 
in the ongoing human rights struggle. I wish you blessings and the best 
of wishes in your new appointment as chairman of the NAACP, which will 
undoubtedly benefit from your exceptional leadership.
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. TOWNS. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. HORN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I see Mr. Mfume leave this 
Chamber. He is one of the most respected Members in the House of 
Representatives. When the Democrats were the majority in the last 
Congress, he presided with great dignity and great presence over the 
proceedings of the House of Representatives. But if he has to leave, he 
could not go to a more worthy organization that the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
  He and I share in common a friendship with the late Clarence 
Mitchell. It was Clarence Mitchell and others of the NAACP who were 
walking the Halls of Congress before any of the more prominent civil 
rights leaders of the latter part of the 20th century were walking the 
Halls of Congress. Clarence Mitchell and a few colleagues were the ones 
that were bringing the cause of the African-American to these doors on 
a bipartisan basis. I am sure that Kweisi Mfume's presence and 
leadership in reassembling and restructuring and improving the work of 
the NAACP will be a great service to this Nation and thus to the 
provision of equal opportunity for many of our citizens.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. 
Jackson-Lee].
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from New York, and I 
will be brief and reserve written comments for the Record.
  As a freshman, I just could not remain in my office. I call him, 
still, Chairman Mfume for his 2 years of leadership. I personally want 
to thank him for the kindness extended to one during here interest and 
climb in public service. He was never too busy to answer a question, to 
come and visit with constituents.
  Now we will have the same kind of gentle kindness going on at the 
helm in the leadership of our mother organization, the NAACP, leading 
America into the 21st century of civil rights. I am gratified that he 
will do that.
  Kweisi, my friend, I thank you for your leadership and your kindness. 
Congratulations. But most of all, best wishes in your new role and 
challenge.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield, I 
want to thank the Speaker for his understanding in making this time 
available in this unusual process that we have used. You have been very 
understanding, and we thank you.
  It is a real occasion to celebrate Kweisi Mfume's service to his 
Nation and how we will all miss him. I know tomorrow we are going to 
have some additional time on the floor, and I would urge those Members 
who did not have a chance during this opportunity that we will have 
time tomorrow. I know that the time has passed for today.
  Once again, I want to thank the Speaker for his courtesy.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair thanks all of the speakers during 
this special order and would take time also to commend my good friend 
from Maryland.
  Mr. TOWNS. In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say to the gentleman from 
Maryland [Mr. Mfume] that you can count on me to be a soldier in your 
army for justice as you continue to fight on the outside as you have 
been able to fight on the inside.
  One that note, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Mfume].
  Mr. MFUME. I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I recognize the time 
constraints that the House is under, and I appreciate the comments of 
Mr. Cardin that perhaps we can conclude this portion of the special 
order tomorrow or perhaps later today. I know there are a lot of 
Members that are starting to come over on the floor for that.
  Quite frankly, I am honored and flattered by it, and I appreciate 
their presence here and look forward perhaps to spending some more time 
on this special order either later today or certainly tomorrow.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues 
today in honoring Kweisi Mfume, an extraordinary legislator and a good 
friend. Kweisi is leaving the House of Representatives where he has 
capably represented the people of Maryland's Seventh Congressional 
District to assume new responsibilities as chief executive officer of 
the NAACP.
  I have had the privilege of working closely with Kweisi since his 
arrival in Congress in 1987. We have served together on both the 
Committee on Banking and the Committee on Small Business, where Kweisi 
held leadership positions as chairman of the Minority Enterprise 
Subcommittee and, this year, as the ranking Democratic member on the 
Banking Oversight Subcommittee. In these positions, as well as in his 
leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus, Kweisi demonstrated 
outstanding qualities of leadership and unshakable integrity. 
Throughout his years in Congress, Kweisi has been a champion for people 
in need, a powerful voice for equal justice and affirmative action and 
an effective advocate for small business rights and economic 
opportunity.
  With Kweisi's departure, the House of Representatives loses one of 
its most able Members. But our loss is a tremendous gain for the NAACP 
and for the cause of equal justice generally. Although we look back to 
praise Kweisi's many accomplishments in Congress, we also look forward 
knowing that even greater accomplishments await him in the future. I 
look forward to working with Kweisi in the future and wish him every 
success in his new role.
  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in honoring 
one of this body's most distinguished and dedicated Members.
  When Congressman Kweisi Mfume takes the helm of the NAACP in 
February, this body will lose one of its finest leaders. Since entering 
Congress over a decade ago, Congressman Mfume has stood on the front 
lines of the 

[[Page H1056]]
battle for equality and opportunity for all Americans.
  As chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 103d 
Congress, he was instrumental in passing legislation to increase 
opportunities for minority-owned businesses and banks. And this past 
year, as chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, he has insisted on 
focusing our attention on those Americans the economy often leaves 
behind. His efforts have made a real difference in people's lives, from 
his neighbors in Baltimore to men, women and children a continent away 
who he has never met but whose plight compels him to act.
  Congressman Mfume has amassed an impressive legislative record in the 
House of Representatives. He could have taken the safe route by staying 
in Congress; in fact, he would have been reelected easily in November. 
But doing what is easy or safe has never been Congressman Mfume's way. 
He has dedicated his entire life to accepting new challenges and 
pursuing higher goals. Each time, he has met those challenges and 
achieved those goals.

  Leading the NAACP through uncertain times will certainly be a tough 
challenge, but the organization's unanimous vote to make him their new 
president and CEO underscores the amount of confidence it has in him to 
do the job. His talents and commitment will lead the NAACP in its fight 
to improve educational opportunities, promote personal responsibility 
and rejuvenate our cities. Congressman Mfume is ready to use life's 
lessons he learned growing up in Baltimore and the political 
experiences he gained in Congress to move the NAACP into the 21st 
century as a proud, vibrant voice for equality and civil rights.
  Already, Congressman Mfume is making his presence felt with the 
NAACP, leading the charge to register 8 million African-Americans to 
vote in time for the next election.
  At a time of dissatisfaction with the political process and those who 
embody it, I can think of a few better role models than Congressman 
Mfume, who has chosen to leave the confines of Capitol Hill and a near-
certain reelection for a far riskier venture, simply because he 
believed it is the right thing to do.
  I think every one of us recognizes that, come February 15, this body 
will be less passionate about helping the most vulnerable members of 
our society, and a measure less vocal about expanding opportunities to 
all Americans. However, we are comforted by the fact that our loss is 
the NAACP's gain. And we are inspired to know that, as long as 
Congressman Mfume plays a role in the affairs of our Nation--whether it 
is here in Washington, up in Baltimore, or anywhere else in this 
Nation--the progress we have made over recent years will not be lost.

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend and 
colleague, Kweisi Mfume. The gentleman from Maryland will be leaving 
this body next month to accept the job as president and CEO of the 
NAACP, the most important civil rights organization in the United 
States. I also want to thank Mr. Cardin for convening this special 
order.
  In 1986, Kweisi Mfume was elected to represent Maryland's Seventh 
Congressional District, a seat that Parren Mitchell had held for 16 
years. So, even before he arrived, our expectations of Mr. Mfume were 
great--filling Mr. Mitchell's shoes would not be easy. But Mr. Mfume 
has shown us on many occasions that he has been more than able in 
meeting the challenges of representing his constituents to this body.
  Mr. Mfume's lasting mark in Congress will most certainly be his 
tenure as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Elected chairman 
for the 103rd Congress, Mr. Mfume shepherded our caucus to become a 
prominent coalition in shaping legislation during President Clinton's 
first 2 years in office. Under his leadership, the caucus achieved a 
critical mass of some 41 members, its largest presence ever. With Mr. 
Mfume at the helm the caucus played an integral role in assuring that 
the President's budget passed, and that it included programs to help 
the urban poor. Among the victories in that budget were an expanded 
earned-income tax credit, the creation of urban empowerment zones, an 
expanded Food Stamp Program, and mandatory immunization for all 
children. The caucus, through Chairman Mfume's leadership, has also 
been at the forefront of many struggles of particular importance to 
African-Americans, including the efforts to preserve affirmative action 
and to restore democracy to Haiti, one of the foreign policy highlights 
of the Clinton administration.
  As a member of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, 
Mr. Mfume has worked diligently on issues important to cities, African-
Americans, and the urban poor. He has worked hard to assure that banks 
loan money and offer services in poor neighborhoods to assure that the 
underserved have the same opportunities as others. In 1990, Kweisi 
successfully offered an amendment that changes the way public housing 
tenants pay their rent. Rent payments are now based on actual income, 
not estimated income.
  This year Mr. Mfume, as a member of the Minority Leader Gephardt's 
Policy Committee, has led the fight against attacks on Medicare, 
Medicaid, welfare, job training, and other important elements of our 
social safety net. We, certainly, can't afford the cuts the Budget 
leaders have prescribed, and Kweisi has worked to preserve these 
important programs.
  Mr. Mfume has served his Maryland constituents with dignity and honor 
throughout his 9-year career. He is now leaving us to manage the 
largest civil rights organization in our Nation. I must confess that 
when I first heard of Kweisi's decision to leave Congress I was 
disappointed. I felt that his exemplary leadership was needed more than 
ever as Congress grappled with the extraordinary agenda of reactionary 
legislative initiative now confronting it.
  Upon reflection I embrace and salute without reservation Mr. Mfume's 
decision. He leaves us in order to lead the revitalization of an 
organization that has a critical, perhaps seminal, role to play in 
mobilizing millions of African-Americans and progressive Americans of 
all types to halt this Nation's slide into a reactionary abyss and to 
move this Nation toward the full realization of justice and the promise 
of democracy. His decision is one that all Americans, in and out of 
Congress, committed to the struggle for justice can endorse.
  The NAACP is very important to me. I am a lifelong member of the 
NAACP and my home city boasts this Nation's largest NAACP Chapter. I 
have no doubt that the NAACP is in good hands and that Kweisi will 
raise the NAACP to new heights, and will continue to fight for civil 
rights, social change, and economic justice. I wish him well in his new 
career. His commitment and passion will be sorely missed in this 
Congress. It is not often that we are able to work with a more 
dedicated or honorable individual. We, certainly, could use a few more 
Members like Kweisi in the U.S. Congress.
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, the gentleman from Maryland, 
Mr. Cardin, took time in the well to pay tribute to our colleague, 
Kweisi Mfume, who is a retiring member of the Maryland delegation. I 
join Mr. Cardin, Mr. Steny Hoyer, and my colleagues who take time today 
to pay tribute to Mr. Mfume.
  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. In this case, he will be confronted with a 
formidable challenge in restoring the NAACP to its rightful place of 
prominence as the preeminent civil rights organization in the history 
of this Nation.
  But everything in his background cries out, indeed screams, that all 
of these years he has been preparing for the day when a challenge of 
this magnitude would come. And indeed, he is ready.
  A part of his preparation took place in this very body when he was 
selected by the members of the Congressional Black Caucus to chair our 
organization for 2 years. This was a daunting challenge, but he 
undertook it with vigor and determination, and in my opinion, he took 
the Congressional Black Caucus to a new level of success and stature 
during his chairmanship.
  In that post, he demonstrated a level of commitment that is 
unsurpassed. He was able to bring to the forefront a wide range of 
economic and foreign policy issues. He fought hard for the millions of 
Americans whose voices go unheard in the Halls of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, Kweisi Mfume has also exercised strong leadership as a 
member of the House Banking Committee. He has fought efforts aimed at 
increasing rents for the Nation's 

[[Page H1057]]
public housing residents. He has also authored language which would 
require a commitment from banks to make loans and services available in 
poor neighborhoods and underserved banking markets. He is a thoughtful 
and skilled lawmaker who has earned the respect and admiration of his 
colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I take special pride in saluting Kweisi Mfume today. In 
closing, I am reminded of how, a few years ago, shortly after he came 
to the Hill, that I invited Kweisi to a meeting with some of my 
constituents from Cleveland. In his speech to the group, he brought the 
house down by relating a story of how, as a high school student, he had 
been assigned the task of writing a research paper on me. We still, 
from time to time, get a laugh out of that story.
  Mr. Speaker, Kweisi Mfume will be missed on Capitol Hill. Our loss is 
certainly the NAACP's gain. We salute Kweisi and look forward to 
working closely with him in the days ahead.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
paying tribute to Congressman Kweisi Mfume, a remarkable man from 
Maryland who has served his constituents and all Americans with 
exceptional integrity and distinction. Kweisi Mfume is leaving the 
House to accept a new and exciting challenge as president and chief 
executive officer of the NAACP. This historic civil rights organization 
is indeed fortunate to have such a skilled and highly respected man at 
its helm.
  During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman 
Mfume has emerged as a national leader and champion for the most 
vulnerable Americans. He has consistently been a voice of reason in 
Congress, never shying from the good fight. Kweisi's eloquence and 
advocacy for progressive cause have affected the lives of millions of 
Americans for the better.
  So tonight, Mr. Speaker, I salute Kweisi Mfume, conqueror of kings, 
and wish him nothing but success in all his future endeavors.
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues today to 
recognize the very significant contributions that the gentleman from 
Maryland has made during his 9 years in the House of Representatives 
and to wish him great success as he begins a new and very important 
endeavor.
  We know that Congressman Mfume's constituents in the Seventh 
Congressional District, who have consistently reelected him with over 
80 percent of the vote, will miss his representation in the House. We 
also know that millions of Americans outside the seventh district, who 
have relied on him to give voice to their needs and aspirations, will 
sorely miss that voice coming from the Congress of the United States.
  Throughout his tenure in the House, Representative Mfume has been a 
champion for the rights of those denied opportunity in this Nation, and 
particularly for the expansion of economic opportunity for those 
denied. He has been one of our most eloquent spokesman for the need for 
economic empowerment in the Nation's urban and minority communities, 
focusing his legislative efforts on minority business development.
  During his 2 years as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus 
[CBC], Congressman Mfume energized the caucus and focused our message, 
culminating in major legislative achievements in the 104th Congress. 
Included in those achievements were expansion of the earned-income tax 
credit for working families, and creation of enterprise zones to spur 
economic development in inner-cities. As a member of the House Banking 
Committee he has been an advocate for the needs of low-income housing 
residents and for greater responsibility on the part of financial 
institutions to offer services in their communities.

  Representative Mfume has been an articulate, forceful, and passionate 
presence in the House of Representatives. All Americans will benefit as 
he brings these qualities to his new role as chief executive officer of 
the NAACP.
  Congressman Mfume is uniquely suited to the task of reviving 
membership and reenergizing the NAACP--particularly among the Nation's 
African-American youth. The challenges he overcame in his own youth and 
the accomplishments he has achieved during a distinguished career in 
Congress bode well for his efforts to recruit a new generation of 
leaders to the cause of ensuring that all Americans share in the 
prosperity of this Nation.
  I join my colleagues in thanking Representative Mfume for his service 
to the country as a Member of the House of Representatives and wish him 
much success as he meets his new challenge at the helm of the NAACP.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor Representative Kweisi Mfume, former chairman of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, on the occasion of his leaving the House in order to head 
the NAACP.
  During his tenure in Congress, Kweisi Mfume, who has represented 
Maryland's Seventh Congressional District since 1986, has displayed a 
strong commitment to public service and a stellar record of legislative 
accomplishment.
  Through serving on the Banking and Financial Services Committee, 
Representative Mfume has been able to focus congressional attention on 
a variety of issues, including minority businesses, health care, and 
civil rights legislation.
  He authored the minority contracting and employment amendments to the 
Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery Act, strengthened the Equal 
Credit Opportunity Act, and amended the Community Reinvestment Act to 
strengthen the protection of minority financial institutions.
  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in the House with 
Representative Mfume. Clearly, his hard work and dedication to public 
service have improved the lives of all Americans.

                          ____________________