[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING WELLINGTON E. WEBB

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
important public service accomplishments and leadership of the man who 
was Denver's mayor from 1991 until 2003, the Honorable Wellington E. 
Webb.
  As many of our colleagues already know, Wellington Webb not only 
served the people of Denver and the State of Colorado with great 
distinction, he is also recognized as a leader of national stature. As 
Denver's first African-American mayor, Wellington Webb's leadership 
stirred hope to minorities across the nation, and gave proof and 
promise to the late Dr. Martin Luther King's plea for a time when 
people might be ``judged, not by the color of their skin, but the 
content of their character.''
  Wellington Webb began public service in the Colorado General Assembly 
and in the cabinet of Governor Richard Lamm, where he served with 
distinction. He was a regional administrator for the Carter 
Administration and a senior campaign official in President Carter's re-
election campaign. I hesitate to draw out the long list of his various 
public offices and awards because such a list does little to convey the 
depth of his record, or the weight of his contributions to the City and 
County of Denver, to the State of Colorado and to the United States of 
America. Suffice it to say that he and his wife, Wilma, were both drawn 
to public service from an early age and together, they have amassed an 
amazing amount of personal experience in local, state and federal 
public service.
  Collectively and as individuals, Wellington and Wilma Webb have 
contributed a great deal to enhance the discourse that has shaped the 
last thirty years of politics in Colorado. They are both respected 
leaders, and as the Chair of the National Conference of Mayors, 
Wellington was particularly forceful in bringing needed attention to 
the issues that face America's urban centers. Although he has retired 
from the politics of city hall in Denver, Wellington has not retired 
from public service, and I believe the Bush Administration and Congress 
would do well to seek his advice on the myriad of issues that urban 
America faces in the aftermath of 9/11.
  It has been said that the most effective political leaders are those 
who know how to combine the talents of listening well, inspiring 
followers and earning the respect, if not fear, of their adversaries. 
By these measures, Wellington Webb is an extraordinarily effective 
leader. Even those who were not supporters of Wellington Webb--and that 
number shrank to fewer and fewer as time went on and his record grew, 
would readily admit that he is a man who earns respect.
  While I have had only a few opportunities to interact with Wellington 
Webb in my capacity as a Member of Congress, I learned from every one 
of our conversations. I admire the courage and perseverance he has 
shown on so many issues, talking bluntly but with wisdom on many 
topics, and with a sense of humor that cuts through the nonsense that 
so often characterizes political debate in our time. My sense is that 
Wellington Webb never suffered fools, but was not unkind either. I 
imagine he is uncomfortable with the tributes and accolades that are 
coming his way in the aftermath of his three terms as mayor, but I hope 
he will understand that these are important milestones that can inspire 
a whole new generation of young leaders.
  I ask my colleagues in the Congress to not only join me in honoring 
the extraordinary public service of Wellington E. Webb, but also to 
join me in expressing the hope that he may find other ways to continue 
to serve our country.

                          ____________________