[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO LUTRELLE FLEMING PALMER

  (Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a veteran journalist, a 
political organizer, a constituent, a neighbor, and a long-time friend, 
Mr. Lutrelle Fleming Palmer. He recently retired after 50 years of 
hard-fought and committed activism.
  Since 1950, Lu Palmer has been using the power of the pen and the 
radio to relay firsthand accounts of the triumphs and struggles of 
African Americans.
  As a newspaper reporter, mainstream columnist, and black radio 
commentator, Lu always did it his way. He frequently took unpopular 
stands on highly controversial issues. Courageously, he always did so 
in a very public manner, because for Lu, informing his people was a top 
priority.
  In 1981, he began to organize the politically independent 
organization, Chicago Black United Communities, or CBUC. Once again, 
Lu's motivation was to inform and galvanize the black community. The 
visionary efforts of Lu and CBUC were so successful that he is credited 
with playing a pivotal role in producing Chicago's first African-
American mayor, Mayor Harold Washington.
  Lu Palmer's talents, vision, insight, independent spirit and love for 
his people is commendable and should be recognized by this Congress.
  So today, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the 50 year-
career of the legendary Chicago radio and political activist, Mr. 
Lutrelle F. Palmer, Lu Palmer.

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