[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CARL ELLIOTT FEDERAL BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2000

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the gentleman from 
Alabama's resolution. It is both fitting and appropriate to recognize 
my former colleague, Carl Elliott, by naming a public building in his 
honor. Because not only was Carl Elliott a good and decent man, but a 
dedicated and capable public servant who gave much to Alabama and his 
country.
  It was just last week that we debated federal aid to libraries. I 
would remind my colleagues that it was Carl Elliott who began the 
crusade for library funding, and it is he who is responsible for the 
Library Services Act.
  Carl Elliott was a man of principle and foresight. He was a tireless 
advocate on behalf of education, working to secure federal assistance 
for low income, poverty-stricken school districts and students across 
Alabama and the United States. In doing so, he helped give poor 
students access to higher education and job opportunities based on 
their ability and merit rather than economic background.
  But his thoughtfulness and humanity on racial issues is noteworthy. 
At a time of great tumult in the South and Alabama over racial issues, 
Carl Elliott chose to be on the right side of history and do what was 
just rather than what was politically expedient. Long after the debate 
was over and their own political futures were secure, many public 
officials in the South expressed regret for their positions in 
opposition to civil rights and race issues in the '60's. But it was 
people like Carl Elliott who bravely faced the political winds and 
surrendered their offices, yet not their principles.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to support this resolution and 
join me in honoring a good man and public servant who did much for his 
state and country, Carl Elliott.

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