[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF REVEREND LEON H. SULLIVAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of 
Rev. Leon H. Sullivan. Rev. Sullivan was a giant of a man who leveraged 
the economic power of black Americans for social change from urban 
Philadelphia to the continent of Africa.
  As the pastor of the Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia where 
he served for 38 years, he was towering force. His booming voice spread 
a message of love of God and selfhelp for his people.
  Rev. Sullivan, who founded the nation's largest community-based job 
training program, was regarded as a leader by world leaders. Presidents 
and corporate heads sought his advice. In 1991, he was awarded the 
Medal of Freedom by President George Bush. U.N. Secretary-General Kofl 
Annan says Rev. Sullivan showed the world what one person can do.
  Early on in his life, Leon Sullivan was confronted by racism. At the 
age of 9, while attempting to buy a soda at a drugstore in his hometown 
in Charleston, West Virginia he was informed he could not sit at the 
counter. Subsequently he told interviewers that this was a life 
transforming moment that instilled in him a lifelong commitment to 
confront injustice.
  Rev. Sullivan was known throughout the world because of the 
establishment of OIC centers in the U.S. and in 17 African nations; the 
sponsorship of the Sullivan Principles that helped to dismantle South 
African apartheid; and, his leadership in civil rights. But he was also 
known and will be remembered for his ability to reach and touch and 
make a difference in lives of the people of his community.
  His death leaves a void in Philadelphia, the nation and the world. 
His legacy is monumental.

                          ____________________