[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E137-E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BOB ADAMS: AN AMERICAN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a 
friend, a role model and a hero in the black community. This man 
believes in the four values which have made America great. Those values 
are hard work, integrity, faith in God and persistence. In particular, 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a successful black businessmen 
who overcame dire circumstances to realize the American Dream.
  Indeed, my good friend Bob Adams is the personification of the 
American Dream. Here is a man who was born into poverty and who 
understands what it feels like to go to bed with an empty belly, wake 
up with an empty belly, and then go to school and try to learn on an 
empty belly. There are millions of children in this country, Mr. 
Speaker, who have to endure the same horrible circumstances, but I am 
hopeful we can work in a bipartisan fashion in Congress to help end 
this suffering.

[[Page E138]]

  Though the odds were against him succeeding, Bob Adams never gave up. 
He never chose a life of stealing and drug dealing. That would have 
been the easy way out. Instead of saying, ``I can't make it. It's too 
hard to succeed,'' Bob Adams instead decided to work hard in school, 
keep his faith in Jesus and maintain a positive attitude. Just like 
that song you hear over the radio, Bob Adams told himself, ``I might 
get knocked down, but I'll get up again. You're never going to keep me 
down.''
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that my friend Bob Adams is a 
successful businessman who owns a printing company and today does his 
part to give back to his community. He is one of the greatest examples 
I can think of when it comes to excellent role models in the black 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, my fellow colleagues, when the going got tough, Bob 
Adams didn't say, ``I have gone this far, I can go no farther.'' 
Instead he told himself, ``I'll never quit and I'll never give up.'' 
Friends, that is the essence of the American Spirit. That is the 
bulldog mentality that built America into the greatest country in the 
world.
  My friends, whenever we despair and feel like quitting, it is time 
for us to get up, dust ourselves off and remember that great Bible 
verse--``I can do all things through him who gives me strength.'' And 
then we should remember the example of such fine role models as Bob 
Adams for inspiration. Bob Adams is proof that anyone can succeed in 
America if they put their mind to it, and their faith in God.

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