[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8486-S8487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ROSA PARKS TRAGEDY

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to express my thanks to a 
number of organizations and individuals who gave of themselves at a 
crucial time for the people of Michigan. These people and organizations 
extended aid to legendary Michigan civil rights leader Rosa Parks and 
to her organization, the Detroit-based Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute 
for Self Development. Mrs. Parks and her organization are both Michigan 
and national treasures. They suffered a great tragedy over the past few 
days, and I am greatly heartened that so many came forward to help in 
the aftermath.
  Mr. President, each year the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute 
sponsors a historical tour tracing the route of the Underground 
Railroad. On Wednesday, July 30, approximately 30 young men and women 
on this tour, along with their chaperons, were traveling on Interstate 
95, south of Petersburg, VA, when their bus ran off the highway, slid 
down an embankment and came to a rest on its side in the Nottoway 
River.
  Many of those on board sustained serious injuries, and one chaperon, 
Adisa Foluke, whom Mrs. Parks has said she considers her grandson, was 
killed. One of the young women, Tiandra Gunn, remains in a coma. A trip 
that had begun with so much promise, had in an instant become a 
nightmare. Mrs. Parks and her associates from the Institute immediately 
flew to Virginia to be with the youths and their families during this 
difficult time.
  Rarely in such dire circumstances could one find reason to be 
heartened. However, the immediate and overwhelming response from the 
Detroit-area business community was to ask how they could help. 
Chrysler Corp. offered the use of a private jet to return Mrs. Parks 
and her associates from Richmond, VA, to Detroit. Northwest Airlines 
provided free air travel to the students stranded so far away from 
home, and also arranged to transport the body of the deceased home to 
Michigan.
  Examples of compassionate generosity weren't limited solely to 
Michigan businesses. The American Red Cross paid for the group's 
lodging for 2 nights and secured ground transportation. The local 
Shoney's restaurant in Petersburg, VA donated free meals. Individual 
volunteers, both in Michigan and Virginia, offered their help to the 
young men and women and their families.
  The city of Detroit, and one of its most cherished citizens, 
experienced great loss this week. However, I believe we have also 
experienced hope. At a time when little was expected, a great deal was 
delivered. No one has ever given more of themselves to their community 
than Rosa Parks. I was proud to see so many who have benefited from her 
example of selfless leadership respond in kind.
  Mr. President, this has been a story of severe tragedy. But it has 
also been a story of caring, of friends and neighbors galvanized by a 
desire to help those in need. I extend my condolences to Mrs. Parks and 
to the rest of Adisa Foluke's family. I'm sure all of our prayers go 
out to Tiandra Gunn, the rest of the injured, and their families. I 
also extend my thanks, on behalf of

[[Page S8487]]

the state of Michigan, to all those who gave so generously in this time 
of need. I would include in this category, not only Chrysler Corp., 
Northwest Airlines, the American Red Cross, and Shoney's, but also 
Eunice Miles of my Southfield office, and Steve Hessler, my deputy 
press secretary. Both provided quick response and extra time and effort 
during a critical time.
  I yield the floor.

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