[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FAREWELL TO REPRESENTATIVE MFUME

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Scott] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great American, a 
great humanitarian, a great representative of the people, a great 
friend--Kweisi Mfume, whose letter of resignation from this body was 
read earlier tonight. The event of the 104th Congress brought with it 
many changes. Many of these changes do not bode well for African-
Americans, other minorities, the elderly, the poor, students, and 
working class Americans. Knowing this, I cannot be totally saddened by 
the departure of my distinguished colleague from this body, because I 
know that this leaving Congress is truly for the greater good of all 
these groups and the American community at large. Representative Kweisi 
Mfume's leadership is needed elsewhere at this time, and I look forward 
to supporting his efforts in his new role as President and CEO of the 
NAACP.
  The NAACP is gaining the experience and leadership of a man who 
recognizes the importance of coalition building--he has shown his 
ability to move coalitions towards their goals without sacrificing 
principle. The NAACP is gaining the knowledge of a man who recognizes 
the importance of economic development and empowerment, and one who has 
used his legislative experience to advance the causes of small and 
minority-owned businesses and to encourage banks to invest in economic 
development opportunities within inner city communities. The NAACP is 
gaining the expertise of the former chairman of the Congressional Black 
Caucus, who during his tenure, elevated the Black Caucus to a position 
of national prominence.
  Kweisi Mfume now takes on a new challenge--to rebuild the NAACP and 
elevate its prominence. With this is mind, I cannot be saddened by is 
departure--there is too much to look forward to.

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