[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WALTER SISULU

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit a resolution paying 
tribute to Walter Sisulu, a mentor, friend, and critical leader in the 
movement to free South Africa from apartheid.
  The People's `servant,' Walter Sisulu helped free both Black and 
White people from the bondage of segregation while driving home the 
concept of equality for all. He, along with Nelson Mandela, was 
imprisoned at Robin Island for 26 years for his role in seeking true 
democratic representation.
  In 1910, the Union of South Africa established a whites only 
government that limited voting rights and implemented South Africa's 
segregation policy. In 1948, the National Party won an all-white 
general election on a campaign promise to introduce a system of 
``apartheid'' to totally separate the races. Opposition to the 
apartheid system by the black majority was ruthlessly suppressed, and a 
system based on white supremacy remained until 1994.
  Sisulu fought tirelessly against the policy of apartheid, sacrificing 
his life to free black South Africans and to demonstrate the power of 
representative democracy. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ``He was 
blessed with that quality that always saw the good in others, and 
therefore he was able to bring out the goodness. He had an 
inexhaustible capacity to listen to others, and therefore he was able 
to encourage others to explore ideas.''
  After the victory over apartheid, Mr. Sisulu worked to advance the 
quality of life for the average man and woman that the former 
government had so long ignored and oppressed.
  In closing, Walter's vision of a united and representative government 
that serves the needs of all its people remains a model for us all. For 
that he commands and deserves our respect.
  Walter Sisulu, will be sorely missed. Please join me in honoring and 
remembering his dedication to true democracy.

                          ____________________