[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 60 (Monday, May 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE HONORABLE ALVIN BROOKS, KANSAS CITY, MO, MAYOR PRO TEM AND CITY 
                   COUNCILMAN AT-LARGE, 6TH DISTRICT

 Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity 
to honor and recognize an outstanding gentleman, Mr. Alvin Brooks, on 
his 70th birthday. Mr. Brooks, Kansas City, MO, Mayor Pro Tem and 6th 
District at-large City Councilman, is truly extraordinary. His fifty 
years of tireless commitment to public service in Kansas City, devotion 
to community activism, civic participation, and youth advocacy are an 
inspiration to us all.
  Mr. Brooks was elected to serve as the 6th District at-large 
Councilman in 1999. After his election, Mayor Kay Barnes appointed 
Brooks as Mayor Pro Tem. In addition to serving as Mayor Pro Tem, he is 
vice chair of the Legislative, Rules and Ethics Committee, a member of 
the Finance and Audit Committee, and chair of the Public Facilities and 
Safety Committee.
  In 1991, Brooks was selected as President of the Ad Hoc Group Against 
Crime, a grassroots community organization he founded in 1977. Former 
President George Bush honored Brooks in November 1989 for his work with 
the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime and named him one of America's 1,000 
Points of Light. President Bush also appointed him to a three-year term 
on the President's National Drug Advisory Council. Former Drug Czar 
William Bennett recognized Brooks as being one of the nation's ``front-
line soldiers in our war against drugs.''
  Prior to serving as President of the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, 
Alvin Brooks already had a distinguished career in public service. He 
was a Kansas City, MO police officer for 10 years, where he held the 
rank of detective. During that time, Alvin worked extensively with 
runaways and gang members, demonstrating his commitment to improving 
social conditions for young people, especially inner-city youth. He 
also served as assistant city manager for seven years and was the first 
African American to serve as a department head for the city of Kansas 
City, MO.
  Though it is possible to list Alvin Brooks' professional 
accomplishments, it is impossible to measure the immense impact this 
man has had, and continues to have, in Kansas City. He has touched and 
improved the lives of countless Kansas Citians. His voice can still be 
heard on the radio urging community action, not as Mayor Pro Tem, but 
as the respected community elder whose commitment to others is 
unquestioned. He is truly the voice of moral authority in Kansas City.
  I commend Mr. Alvin Brooks for his selfless dedication to the 
improvement of Kansas City and wish him all the best on his 70th 
Birthday. Kansas City is certainly fortunate to have such a dedicated 
public servant. On behalf of all those you have served, Alvin, I thank 
you.

                          ____________________