[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 142 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORTING OF THE PASSAGE OF THE RESOLUTION HONORING RALPH BUNCHE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 10, 2003

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice to those of my 
colleagues who will vote today in support of my resolution honoring the 
great Ambassador Ralph Bunche. I also give my special commendation to 
the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, Congressman Tom 
Davis, as well as Henry Waxman, the ranking member of the 
aforementioned committee, who made a special effort to expedite getting 
H. Con. Res. 71 to the House floor.
  Ralph Bunche, who I am proud to say, lived a great portion of his 
life in New York, was truly a pioneer. He defied the odds of the times, 
achieving in a number of areas, from diplomacy to education, while 
standing as a quiet yet effective warrior in the struggle to breakdown 
the negative perceptions of inferiority then held about African-
Americans.
  Ralph Bunche graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta 
Kappa from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1927. In 
1934, he became the first African-American to receive a doctoral degree 
in Government and International Relations at Harvard University. Mr. 
Bunche continued his passion for education by establishing and chairing 
the Political Science Department at Howard University from 1928-1941. 
In 1950, Mr. Bunche became the first African-American and person of 
color to receive a Nobel Prize.
  Mr. Bunche is one of this Nation's most distinguished diplomats, and 
his commitment to international relations and the attainment of human 
rights internationally has not only benefited the United States, but 
has had lasting effects on the entire world. He was a founder of the 
United Nations, the preeminent world body, and he carried on his global 
mission by selflessly devoting himself to the cause of independence for 
many African countries, which until the 1960s, were shackled under the 
yoke of European colonialism.
  During his centennial year, I am extremely pleased that the 108th 
Congress has elected to recognize one of the great architects of the 
United Nations, which, in the wake of the unilateral invasion of Iraq, 
is facing its greatest challenge as the embodiment of peacekeeping and 
international cooperation. This resolution is especially appropriate at 
this time, for in recognizing Ralph Bunche, we also acknowledge the 
value of the United Nations to the world and especially, to the United 
States.

                          ____________________