[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROBERT WEAVER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to a great American who blazed trails for African-Americans in 
the areas of academics and Government service. Mr. Robert Weaver was 
the first Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
[HUD] and the first African-American appointed to a Cabinet position in 
the United States of America.
  In 1960, Mr. Weaver became the president of the NAACP and President 
John F. Kennedy sought his advice on civil rights. The following year 
President Kennedy appointed him Administrator of the Housing and Home 
Finance Agency, which later became HUD.
  President Kennedy attempted to elevate the Agency to Cabinet status. 
However, Congress refused as a result of some Members attacking the 
appointment of an African-American. President Kennedy abandoned the 
idea; and 5 years later, President Lyndon Johnson revived the idea and 
pushed the measure through Congress. This time Mr. Weaver was 
confirmed.
  Mr. Weaver had been a part of the Black Cabinet during the 
administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a scholarly person 
who wrote four books on urban affairs and made a name for himself 
during the 1930's and 1940's as a behind the scenes strategist in the 
civil rights movement.
  Mr. Weaver was born on December 7, 1907, and was educated at Harvard 
University where he earned three degrees; a bachelors, masters, and 
doctorate in economics. Interestingly enough, Weaver's maternal 
grandfather was the first African-American graduate of Harvard 
University with a degree in dentistry.
  At the age of 90, Mr. Weaver died on July 17, 1997. A great American.

                          ____________________