[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 42 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E515-E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   C.B. KING UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2000

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, the late C.B. King of Albany, Georgia was 
born on October 12, 1923, one of eight children of Clennon W. and 
Margaret Slater King, who raised a truly extraordinary family. 
Following graduation from high school, he served in the Navy and then 
earned his bachelor's degree from Fisk University in Nashville, 
Tennessee and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 
Cleveland, Ohio. Although other promising opportunities were available 
to him, he decided to return home and become the only black attorney 
practicing in his community, and one of only three practicing in 
Georgia outside of Atlanta.

[[Page E516]]

  As an attorney, a civil rights leader, and a pioneering political 
candidate, C.B. King spent the remainder of his life making 
contributions to the cause of justice, opportunity, and dignity for all 
Americans. Although he remained Albany-based throughout his career, 
limiting his activities primarily to the areas of southwest Georgia 
where he was raised, he became a nationally-known figure whose impact 
was felt throughout our state and the nation at-large.
  He was a courageous leader of the Albany Movement, suffering a severe 
beating and facing many threats to his life during a campaign described 
by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the crucial battles of the 
civil rights struggle. He ran political races for President, Congress 
and as the first black gubernatorial candidate in Georgia since 
Reconstruction, not because he thought he would win, but because his 
candidacy provided a forum for the causes he represented and helped 
pave the way for future minority candidates. He was a compassionate 
citizen, devoting much of his time to pro bono law work for the poor 
and volunteering his time and talent in community projects for the 
needy. He was a Navy veteran, a faithful member of his church, and a 
loving husband and father. Perhaps he is remembered most of all as the 
lead attorney in a series of landmark law suits that broke down old 
walls of discrimination and opened new doors of opportunity.
  It is therefore fitting, Mr. Speaker, for this Congress to name the 
new federal courthouse in Albany, Georgia for the late Chevene Bowers 
King, and I want to thank all of my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle for their wholehearted support of this legislation.
  The list of breakthrough cases that he won is extensive. Among them 
are:
  Gaines v. Dougherty County Board of Education; Lockett v. Board of 
Education of Muscogee County; Harrington v. Colquitt County Board of 
Education. These cases, involving multiple appeals over a period of 
years, led to full compliance with Brown v. Board of Education in those 
communities, accelerating the pace of desegregation in other areas.
  Anderson v. City of Albany; Kelly v. Page. These cases reaffirmed the 
right of citizens to peaceably assemble.
  Bell v. Southwell. This case ended the use of segregated polling 
booths, voiding an election where separate booths were used.
  Brown v. Culpepper; Foster v. Sparks; Thompson v. Sheppard; Pullum v. 
Greene; Broadway v. Culpepper; Rabinowitz v. United States. These cases 
prohibited the use of jury selection lists on which blacks were under 
represented and ended the exclusion of blacks on juries on the basis of 
race.
  Johnson v. City of Albany. This case led to the end of discriminatory 
practices in local government employment.
  C.B. King possessed many extraordinary qualities. Courage was 
certainly one. There are countless examples of how he stood his ground 
in the face of danger. Although he acknowledged there were times when 
he was frightened, he never once backed down when he believed he was in 
the right. His tenacity was legendary. Once he entered the fray, you 
knew he would be in the thick of the battle until the end. He never 
gave up. His skills certainly were awesome, as his record as an 
attorney confirms. Through it all, he was a man who cared deeply for 
his community, state, and country and for people of all races, creeds, 
and backgrounds.
  I wonder what our state and country would be like had C.B. King not 
challenged the status quo in federal court and forced desegregation of 
the public schools in many communities, raising the quality of 
education for many children. Would we ever have seen the talent of a 
Hershel Walker, a Charlie Ward, or Judge Herbert Phipps?
  Had C.B. King not gone into Albany's Federal Court to force 
compliance with laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on 
race, creed, religion, or gender, how many local governments would have 
been deprived of the talent of countless African-American public-sector 
employees? This was a milestone in the history of the South and 
southwest Georgia.
  What kind of justice system would we have if C.B. King had not gone 
into federal court to end the age-old practice of excluding blacks and 
women from serving on juries? What if C.B. King had not been there to 
have our federal courts protect the rights of citizens of all colors to 
peaceably assemble, have equal access to public facilities, and to be 
free of discrimination in voter registration, in the voting booth and 
in running for office? Indeed, I nor any other African-American would 
be able to hold public office, regardless of our qualifications or 
abilities, had it not been for C.B. King's work.
  On March 15, 1988, this great leader passed away following a long 
illness.
  Mr. Speaker, it's not the two dates on our tombstone that are 
important. It's what happens in-between. What happened in the life of 
C.B. King changed the course of our history.

                          ____________________