[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KWEISI MFUME

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 1996

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Maryland, Mr. Cardin, for making this time available to recognize 
our good friend and colleague, Kweisi Mfume. It is a distinct pleasure 
to have the opportunity to speak about a gentleman who has earned a 
place of high respect and honor here in the Congress.
  We all know that there's often a lot of talk in this Chamber, but 
there's seldom a lot of listening. Kweisi Mfume is one of those soft-
spoken voices that rises above the din, above the crowd--one of those 
rare voices that Members listen to on both sides of the aisle.
  Kweisi has earned our ear, and our respect, not only because of his 
dedicated work for this great Nation and his effective advocacy for our 
most disadvantaged citizens--but also because of the hard road he took 
to Congress--from the troubled neighborhoods of west Baltimore to the 
heights of Capitol Hill, his is a story of determination. It is a story 
which teaches our Nation's youth great lessons about dignity and self-
respect.
  We applaud the NAACP for choosing a leader of the caliber of Kweisi 
Mfume. Quite sincerely, I can think of no one more qualified and 
respected to lead that venerable institution into the 21st century. Our 
only regret is the loss we will feel here in this institution when we 
lose the reasoned voice and seasoned leadership of Kweisi Mfume.
  I wish my friend every success as he confronts the challenges of his 
new position.

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