[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E448-E449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF HUGH B. PRICE: AUTHOR, LAWYER, CIVIL RIGHTS 
                         LEADER, PUBLIC SERVANT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2003

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Chair of the Congressional 
Black Caucus to pay tribute to a great man who is retiring as the 
leader of one of our most cherished leadership organizations.
  For the past nine years, Hugh B. Price has worked tirelessly to 
preserve and fortify the legacy of the National Urban League--the 
nation's oldest and largest community-based movement dedicated to 
moving African Americans into the social and economic mainstream. As 
president and chief executive officer of this ninety-two year old 
organization, Hugh Price's visionary leadership has prepared the Urban 
League Movement for a second century of leadership and service.
  Given his successful tenure, it is only fitting that the Congress 
honor his accomplishments and thank him for his excellent stewardship.

[[Page E449]]

  It is a fact that Hugh's vision has increased the organizational, 
programmatic, and policy capacity of the National Urban League. Under 
his leadership, the League dramatically strengthened its fiscal 
performance and reached new heights in fundraising through strategic 
partnerships with corporations, foundations, and governmental agencies.
  Under Hugh Price's talented leadership, signature Urban League 
Movement programs moved to the forefront of urban communities. One such 
program, the Campaign for African American Achievement, became 
synonymous with standards of academic excellence in urban schools 
across the country. This program provided positive reinforcement for 
young people who earn good grades through the National Achievers 
Society--a nationwide, community-based honors society recognizing 
children who have earned B averages or better in school.
  Expanding upon its innovative work in the education arena, Mr. Price 
guided the National Urban League into a partnership with Scholastic, 
Inc., to create Read and Rise--a parent guide for helping children 
become proficient readers--and a companion public service campaign to 
spread the word about this free resource throughout the African 
American community.
  Finally, Hugh Price's talented leadership positioned the Urban League 
Movement as a leading agenda setter of many policy issues affecting 
Americans. From education policy to affirmative action and racial 
profiling, Hugh B. Price inserted the National Urban League into the 
policy fray with fact-based arguments that often added new and 
thoughtful insight into strident policy debates.
  His role as a master policy architect was also evidenced by his 
dedicated efforts to reconstitute the Washington office of the National 
Urban League into the Institute for Opportunity and Equality--a policy 
and research think tank that is quickly emerging as a leading 
information resource concerning issues important to African Americans.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am proud as Chair of the Congressional Black 
Caucus to stand before you today to laud the many accomplishments of 
Hugh B. Price, thank him for his service, and wish him a heartfelt 
farewell as he transitions from his successful tenure as President and 
Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban League.

                          ____________________