[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO VERNON COX

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2001

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Vernon Cox. 
Mr. Cox was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1928, and passed away on 
January 14, 2001, in Kentfield, California.
  Essentially a quadriplegic for much of his adulthood, he devoted his 
own life to improve the lives of the poor, the sick, the disabled. He 
worked for greater economic opportunities for minorities. As a member 
of the Marin County Human Rights Commission, he fought to eliminate 
bigotry. He also added his most influential voice to protect our 
environment and was one of the founders of the environmental education 
program at the College of Marin.
  As a co-founder of the Marin Center for Independent Living Mr. Cox 
was instrumental in providing housing, employment, access to public 
transportation, and recreation for the disabled, and served on the 
Golden Gate Bridge District's Disabled Access Committee. He advocated 
for employment opportunities for women, minorities, and other groups as 
a member of the Marin County Affirmative Action Advisory Committee. He 
served on a seemingly endless number of commissions, committees, 
panels, and boards, and all from his wheelchair.
  Mr. Speaker, we have lost a great man. We have lost an irreplaceable 
member of our community. He will be sorely missed by all of us who 
value the dignity of every individual and cherish the diversity of our 
great nation. Vernon Cox was a true hero.

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