[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 87 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF THE REVEREND AL SHARPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Reverend Al Sharpton, one 
of America's foremost civil rights leader, in recognition of his 
contribution to the ongoing battle against economic injustice, 
political inequity, and for his continuous service to his church and 
his community.
  Reverend Sharpton began his career in the ministry not long after his 
birth in 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. Beginning his ministry at the 
young age of four, he delivered his first sermon to hundreds of 
listeners in Brooklyn. Mentored by Bishop F.D. Washington, Reverend 
Sharpton was licensed and ordained by Bishop Washington at the age of 9 
and appointed Junior Pastor of the 5,000 member Washington Temple 
congregation.
  His career in politics started shortly after his interest in the 
ministry. In his 1996 autobiography, Go and Tell Pharoah, Reverend 
Sharpton retells how his interest in politics grew as Congressman Adam 
Clayton Powell, Jr. mesmerized him. In 1971, Al Sharpton entered the 
public arena with the founding of the National Youth Movement. 
Throughout his 17-year leadership of the National Youth Movement, Al 
Sharpton registered thousands of young voters and led the fight to put 
the first black on the New York State Metropolitan Transit Authority 
Board. He also spearheaded a political campaign which resulted in the 
first minority School Chancellor of the New York City Board of 
Education. Reverend Sharpton also led the now famous marches against 
``crack'' houses, exposing them to law enforcement agencies.
  Reverend Sharpton, as founder and president of the National Action 
Network, fights for progressive, people-based policies. Al Sharpton has 
risen as a pivotal spokesman against police brutality in America. 
Together with Martin Luther King, II, Sharpton led the ``Redeem the 
Dream'' March to address the issues of racial profiling and police 
brutality. His most recent political actions include protesting the 
U.S. bombing on Vieques, Puerto Rico, an action for which he received a 
90 day jail sentence.
  Al Sharpton has been married to singer Kathy Jordan for almost twenty 
years. Together they have two daughters, Dominique and Ashley.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Al Sharpton has devoted his life to serving his 
community, his church, and all people. As such, he is more than worthy 
of receiving our recognition today. I hope that all of my colleagues 
will join me in honoring this truly remarkable man.

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