[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E19-E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND FRED L. SHUTTLESWORTH, A GREAT LIVING 
                              CINCINNATIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Rev. 
Fred L. Shuttlesworth, a community leader who will be honored as a 
Great Living Cincinnatian on February 4, 2000, by the Greater 
Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. He was selected for his outstanding 
community service, business and

[[Page E20]]

civic accomplishments, awareness of the needs of others, and 
achievements that have brought favorable attention to the Cincinnati 
area.
  A native of Alabama, Rev. Shuttlesworth moved to the Cincinnati area 
in 1961 to pastor at the Revelation Baptist Church. In 1966, he founded 
the Greater New Light Baptist Church in Avondale where he continues to 
lead worship. He has four children.
  Rev. Shuttlesworth earned a bachelor's degree in science from Alabama 
State University in 1951. He went on to do graduate work at Alabama 
State and then received seminary training at Cedar Grove Academy and 
Selma University.
  The Rev. Shuttlesworth is perhaps best known for his heroic work as a 
civil rights leader. Many place him among the ``big three'' in the 
civil rights movement--next to Dr. Martin Luther King and the Rev. 
Ralph Abernathy. Willing to risk his life for freedom and equality, the 
Rev. Shuttlesworth was nearly killed three times, jailed more than 25 
times, and endured more than 36 criminal and civil actions. Words such 
as bravery do little to capture the conviction and heroism that Rev. 
Shuttlesworth exhibits.
  A sampling of Rev. Shuttlesworth's accomplishments include the 
organization of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights in 
1956, which was founded in response to Alabama politicians outlawing of 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 
1957, he was one of five organizers of the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference where he still serves as a member of its National 
Board. In addition, he served for several years as a member of the 
National Advisory Board of Congress on Racial Equality. But he has also 
been actively involved in our community and I have seen firsthand his 
good works. In 1988, Rev. Shuttlesworth established The Shuttlesworth 
Housing Foundation to help needy families afford down payments for the 
purchase of homes. As of November 1999, Rev. Shuttlesworth helped over 
460 low-income families become homeowners.
  In June of 1988, the City of Birmingham renamed Huntsville Road 
``F.L. Shuttlesworth Drive,'' and on November 14, 1992, Birmingham 
dedicated an 8-foot statue of Rev. Shuttlesworth at the opening of its 
Civil Rights Institute. In 1998, the City of Cincinnati renamed North 
and South Crescent Avenues as ``Fred Shuttlesworth Circle.''
  Rev. Shuttlesworth says that he has done ``little'' and he professes 
to do ``more and . . . all I can until I leave here.'' Cincinnati is 
blessed by the Rev. Shuttlesworth's leadership and good will. We are 
most fortunate for his service and commitment to our nation and local 
community.

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