[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC 
                                 ACTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 1997

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the 
Americans for Democratic Action, which is celebrating its 50th 
anniversary.
  ADA is a prestigious organization whose achievements should be 
recognized. It is one of the largest and oldest liberal advocacy groups 
in the country, with a membership in excess of 25,000.
  As one of ADA's past presidents, I am indeed honored to have this 
opportunity to highlight some of the accomplishments of this most 
important organization. Also, it is only fitting that I point out that 
New Yorkers have had a long and favorable association with the 
organization. In fact, many are founders of the ADA.
  The list of New York citizens credited for founding ADA includes the 
following: union leader David Duminsky, historian Arthur Schlesinger, 
Jr., and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Also included on that 
list of notable New Yorkers is a Manhattan Borough President Stanley 
Isaacs, a Republican.
  As a former president, I have first hand knowledge regarding the 
importance of this organization. During my tenure, 1989-1991, I was 
delighted to watch ADA grow in membership, stature and program. Our 
staff and membership doubled during that time and we waged relentless 
battles against the excesses of the Bush administration.
  As an example, the ADA performed a thorough review of the Bush 
administration's foreign policy record relating to Panama and Granada, 
and concluded that a failing grade should be issued. Additionally, ADA 
evaluated the Bush administration's performance on budget issues, and 
once again issued a grade of F for programs which rewarded the wealthy 
at the expense of the Nation's neediest. ADA is also credited for 
telling the truth about the real rate of unemployment. The effort to 
provide more accurate unemployment information resulted in the release 
of similar such statistical information by the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics. ADA's leadership in this arena culminated in our being able 
to better gauge the number of job training programs required for those 
unemployed.
  The ADA has been a leader on may different fronts, including civil 
rights and civil liberties issues, nuclear arms control, apartheid in 
South Africa, workers rights, women's issues, increases in the minimum 
wage and Federal budget and tax policies. Most recently ADA provided 
support for the international family planning resolution, which sought 
the early release of 1997 funds to international organizations.
  The ADA is an invaluable organization, whose efforts need to be 
recognized. Its history is one of influence and effectiveness. May it 
continue for another 50 years.

                          ____________________