[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN REMEMBRANCE OF JOHN SENGSTACKE

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, today I would like to offer 
my most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of 
John Sengstacke, Chicago Defender publisher and owner, a Chicago 
native.
  Mr. Sengstacke was a man of vision, who promoted and created 
opportunities through his words and his actions. He was a person who 
valued commitment, always urging others to follow through. Under his 
tutelage, the Chicago Defender became one of the most widely read, 
informative, and important, independent newspapers for countless 
Chicagoans.
  His was a courageous life, and he always took a stand against 
segregation and discrimination, always fought to give a voice to the 
voiceless. Most notable are his efforts as a member of Truman's 
committee to desegregate the military and his vigilant effort to get 
the first African-American correspondent into the White House.
  He was clear that his role was not only to inform but to educate, by 
both his personal and professional actions.
  John Sengstacke knew the power of the pen was one of the strongest 
weapons available to African-Americans. He worked tirelessly to get the 
National Newspaper Publisher's Association established, and it became 
an organization that would help more than 200 African-American-owned 
newspapers provide a voice for the African-American community.
  We have truly lost one of our finest freedom fighters, but he left a 
legacy of tenacity and resilience that will endure.
  We have much to celebrate in remembering the life of John Sengstacke. 
I thank John for his friendship, and thank him for blessing us with his 
legacy.

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