[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1809-E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE HAROLD E. FORD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of califonria

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the outstanding 
congressional career of my good friend and colleague, Representative 
Harold E. Ford. Harold's retirement from the Congress caps more than 
two decades representing the interests of the people of the 9th 
Congressional District of Memphis, Tennessee.
  Scion of one of Memphis' most influential African-American families, 
in 1974 Harold became the first African-American to be elected to the 
United States Congress from the great state of Tennessee. His arrival 
in Washington was greeted with great enthusiasm, and he wasted little 
time in carving out a role as a pivotal player in helping to shape this 
nation's welfare and unemployment compensation policies.
  He was named to a seat on the influential Ways and Means Committee. 
In 1981 he became the then-youngest member of Congress

[[Page E1810]]

to chair a subcommittee when he was selected Chairman of the 
committee's Subcommittee on Public Assistance and Unemployment 
Compensation--later changed to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
  As chair, Harold presided over many of the essential, life-sustaining 
programs of the past four decades, including Aid to Families with 
Dependent Children (AFDC), Child Welfare and Foster Care, Unemployment 
Compensation, title XX and Supplemental Security Income, and the Low 
Income Energy Assistance program. His leadership to preserve and 
increase authorizations for these programs was at times a lonely and 
uphill battle. However, Harold never faltered and he never lost sight 
of what would happen to the recipients of these programs should they be 
subjected to the massive cuts proposed by those who sought to reorder 
the nation's priorities in caring for its needy citizens.
  In 1988, Harold authored the Family Support Act, legislation designed 
to radically overhaul this nation's welfare system. That he helped to 
strengthen the social safety net for millions of the disenfranchised 
stands as a fitting legacy of his service to our nation. In the face of 
many obstacles, and yes--a few pitfalls--Harold stayed strong, and 
Harold persevered.
  As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Harold served 
during a time of tremendous growth and change. In 1975, there were 
fewer than 20 CBC members. Today that number has nearly doubled. Yes, 
much remains to be done, however, Harold hopes to fulfill his 
obligation to that effort by helping to pass the torch to his son, 
Harold Ford, Jr., in November.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the nicest things about serving in Congress is 
the fine friends you make along the way. Harold has been one of those 
people whose friendship I shall always cherish. It has been a privilege 
to serve with him in this great institution, and I will miss seeing him 
on the floor when the 105th Congress convenes. He has however fought 
the good fight and earned his rest.
  I am proud to call him my friend and to personally thank him for the 
many distinguished contributions that he has made to the nation. As he 
sets course on a new trail, I wish him and his beloved family 
everything bright that life has to offer.

                          ____________________