[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1889-E1890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN HAROLD FORD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 1996

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise in tirbute to my 
distinguished colleague from Tennessee, the Honorable Harold Ford, as 
he prepares to retire from the U.S. House of Representatives. 
Congressman Ford has dedicated his life to public service. He was 
elected to the Tennessee State Legislature at the age of 25. He served 
two terms in that body and in 1974 was elected to represent the 
residents of Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District. Harold Ford was 
the first and is the only African-American Tennessean ever elected to 
the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Harold Ford has been a staunch defender of justice and equality. He 
has shown a special dedication to representing the needs of the 
underprivileged and has left his signature on our Nation's welfare and 
employment programs.
  In 1981 Congressman Ford was named chairman of the House Ways and 
Means Subcommittee on Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation. 
Through his committee work, Chairman Ford fought to improve economic 
opportunities for the poor, He authored the Family Support Act of 1988, 
a program to increase education and training opportunities for AFDC 
recipients. Throughout his tenure Congressman Ford has fought to 
preserve the Federal role in administering domestic programs such as 
Aid to Families with Dependent Children, public housing, public 
education, and job training.
  Harold Ford has been a truly effective political leader whose 
dedication to representing the people of Memphis cannot be overstated. 
Congressman Ford was instrumental in establishing several youth 
training programs in Memphis including Jobs Corps and Youth Fair 
Chance. He also gave vital support to local economic development 
projects in Memphis such as the Central Station renovation.
  Representative Ford is a man of determination and spirit who has 
maintained his courage and equanimity in the face of trial and 
adversity. He has faced racism and injustice and these challenges have 
only strengthened his resolve to fight for equality.
  Congressman Ford is a member of a family that has demonstrated a 
special commitment to public service. His great-grandfather served as a 
squire during the Post-Reconstruction Era in Tennessee. Harold Ford's 
brothers also serve in public office in the State of Tennessee. John 
Ford is a State senator, Joe Ford is a Memphis City Council member and 
Dr. James Ford is a Shelby County commissioner. Representative Ford's 
son, Harold Ford, Jr. is this year's Democratic nominee to succeed his 
father in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been my privilege to serve beside Harold Ford in 
the U.S. House of Representatives. He has been a loyal public servant 
and the people of Tennessee and our Nation will long benefit from his 
many contributions. Harold Ford and his wife Dorothy have been valuable 
friends; Carol and I will miss them dearly. I wish him godspeed as he

[[Page E1890]]

leaves the House of Representatives and begins another chapter in his 
life of public service.

                          ____________________