[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MISS LUCILE BLUFORD UPON HER DEATH, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR OF 
                           THE CALL NEWSPAPER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2003

  Mrs. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and 
respect that I rise today to honor Miss Lucile Bluford, editor and 
publisher of The Call newspaper in Kansas City, Missouri. Miss Bluford 
passed away Friday, June 13. She had been an employee of The Call for 
71 years and editor/publisher since 1955. She would have been 92 years 
young this July 1.
  Miss Bluford, as she was known by everyone, was a trail blazer and 
pioneer for civil rights and equality for African-Americans. She fought 
both personally and professionally to end segregation and advance 
opportunities for our community. Through her fight to access graduate 
journalism school for herself and other minorities and her leadership 
in the civil rights and journalism communities, Miss Bluford left an 
enduring mark in her advocacy for equality.
  Miss Bluford graduated from the University of Kansas School of 
Journalism in 1932 and joined The Call shortly thereafter as a 
reporter. In 1938, she filed a mandamus suit against the University of 
Missouri Graduate School of Journalism for being denied admittance 
because of her color. Miss Bluford wrote and fought for racial and 
social justice ever since. She reported about the plight of those 
unfortunate enough to help themselves, the poor and disenfranchised. 
Miss Bluford had an effect on making our community and nation better 
aware of the inequalities existing.
  Miss Bluford had the ear of those who were wealthy and those who were 
not, and conversed with the common citizen or those of stature. I met 
with Lucile many times and I always treasured her company and 
conversation. I invariably would leave with a much more valuable 
insight on the issues of the day as well as the rich history she 
lived--especially her struggles in the civil rights movement.
  Miss Bluford's leadership and accomplishments have been recognized on 
numerous occasions, including receiving the Medal for Distinguished 
Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri. Last fall she 
was honored by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce as ``Kansas 
Citian of the Year for 2002.'' Awards she received throughout her 
career include the Distinguished Service Award from the national NAACP, 
an Honorary Doctorate degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, 
Missouri, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Martin 
Luther King Award, University of Missouri Distinguished Service Medal 
of Honor, and the Recognition Award for Unsurpassed and Dedicated 
Service to the Community by the Northwest Missouri Division of the 
African Methodist and Episcopal Church.
  One of the honors she cherished most was the University of Kansas 
establishment of the Lucile H. Bluford Scholarship Fund for students 
interested in studying journalism. This lasting legacy to Miss Bluford 
will provide future generations with the opportunity to fulfill their 
dream of journalism.
  Miss Bluford has been recognized for her service to our community and 
nation. She had served as a juror Pulitzer Prize for Journalism, was a 
member of the National Board of Directors of the National Association 
for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and had been selected to 
make a trip to Israel in 1972 with a group of American newspaper 
editors. Miss Bluford served on the Governor's Committee for ``Jobs for 
Missourians,'' was a board member and Secretary of the Missouri 
Commission of Human Rights from 1957 to 1969, and served on the 
Governor's Task Force on the role of Private Higher Education in 
Missouri. She served on local boards of United Way, NAACP, Kansas City 
Council on Crime Prevention, Kansas City Cancer Society, Kansas City 
Area Hospital Association, Model Cities Day Care Corporation, Legal Aid 
and Defender Society, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City 
Cockefair Chair Board of Directors.
  As publisher and editor of The Call newspaper, she elevated the 
awareness of the African-American community in relation to its role in 
the broader majority society. Miss Bluford was a dedicated journalist 
from her humble beginnings as a reporter to the position of publisher 
and editor--she never forgot her roots. I fondly remember how she would 
dutifully take notes on her reporter's pad with her ever present red 
pen. As a role model and a journalist, I remember Miss Bluford for her 
fairness and unassuming manner. She was never one to seek out the 
spotlight or glory. She spoke her mind to the powerful and stood by her 
beliefs without hesitation.
  Miss Bluford has been an inspiration to me. Her dedication and 
commitment to public service served as an example to all of us who work 
to make our community better. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring 
her for her service to our community and the nation.
  Miss Bluford can never be replaced, but her ideals and principals 
will remain as a fundamental foundation for our community. My thoughts 
and prayers go out to her family members, co-workers, and friends. All 
of our lives are richer for having known Miss Lucile H. Bluford.

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