[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE LATE REVEREND RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY, JR., HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 1996

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, during the 1960's, I was honored 
to be a part of the civil rights movement--a movement that changed the 
face of our Nation. People from throughout our Nation--old and young, 
black and white, rich and poor--joined the nonviolent revolution that 
made our country a better, fairer, more just Nation. I was fortunate to 
get to know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his partner in the 
movement--Dr. Abernathy.
  Dr. Abernathy was an inspiring and committed leader from the earliest 
days of the movement. When Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to 
stand in the back of the bus while there were empty seats in the 
``white'' section of the bus, she inspired the Montgomery bus boycott. 
As ministers of the two leading black churches in Montgomery, AL, Dr. 
King and Dr. Abernathy worked together to organize and sustain that 
boycott. Thus began the strong bonds of friendship and commitment that 
would last as long as the two men lived.
  Dr. Abernathy had a lifelong commitment to securing and protecting 
basic civil rights for all Americans. I marched with him many times 
throughout the South, including Selma and Montgomery. After the 
assassination of Dr. King in 1968, Dr. Abernathy assumed leadership of 
the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and worked to carry on 
the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After Dr. King's death, Dr. 
Abernathy continued to organize and lead marches and other events, 
included the Poor People's Campaign, a massive demonstration to protest 
rising unemployment, held in Washington, DC.
  The Reverend Dr. Abernathy passed away, too young, 6 years ago. 
Today, I am introducing a resolution authorizing the construction of a 
memorial to the Reverend Dr. Abernathy and the Poor People's Campaign 
on the National Mall. I invite my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this effort. The monument will celebrate the achievements of the past, 
commemorate those who marched alongside us many years ago, and pay 
special tribute to the sacrifices and the contributions of Dr. 
Abernathy and others who participated in the Poor People's Campaign. 
Thousands of people participated. Some has small roles, others large 
roles. The Reverend Ralph David Abernathy had many roles, often at the 
same time. He was a teacher, a leader, an organizer, a soldier, and a 
friend. Many were inspired by his good humor, and his guidance. Today, 
I Invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating his legacy and his 
life.

                          ____________________