[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MARC ZALKIN OF CHICAGO, IL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Marc Zalkin an individual who has been a serious advocate for the 
disabled and the poor. Marc departed this life Monday, February 23, 
1998 at the age of 49. He leaves behind a committed life of service to 
humanity and mankind. His legacy of advocating peace in the midst of 
the Vietnam War, and compassion for those who were disenfranchised will 
forever be remembered.
  Martin Luther King once said that if a man has not discovered 
something that he will die for, he is not fit to live in this society. 
I assure you that Marc had many things for which he was willing to lay 
his life down for. Although he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 
1981 his drive, commitment, passion and zeal to champion social causes 
to uplift humanity never waned. He was a founder and the first 
executive director of the 46th Ward Community Service Center, which 
opened in the mid-1970s to provide educational, legal, health and 
housing services to Uptown neighborhood residents. Whether focusing his 
attention Uptown or downtown Marc was a committed advocate for people 
with disabilities. He founded No Limits Inc., which he later called 
Abilities Inc., a company that created products for people with 
disabilities, including a Braille cookbook.
  Marc was truly an idealist, whose tireless work and commitment helped 
elect Chicago's first African American Mayor the late Harold 
Washington. The 46th Ward Community Center he conceived evolved into 
the Uptown People's Law Office and Community Learning Center. Marc was 
able to help a number of families who suffered from Black lung disease 
receive benefits and pursue legal claims. This world is a better place 
because of the service Marc rendered. To your family we say thank you 
for allowing Marc to touch our lives in a very special way.

                          ____________________