[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E524-E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO OMAR D. BLAIR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 2, 2004

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the extraordinary 
life and accomplishments of a remarkable gentleman from the 1st 
Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that 
we recognize Omar D. Blair for his impressive record of civic 
leadership and invaluable service.
  Many people have made notable contributions to our community, but few 
have left a legacy of progress as Omar Blair. He once mused that he 
wanted to be remembered as one who tried. I would submit that Omar 
Blair molded a life of enduring accomplishment and proved to be a 
powerful force in transforming our community. His is an indomitable 
spirit and our lives have been truly enriched by his presence among us.
  Omar Blair demonstrated that he had steel at an early age. Upon his 
graduation from Albuquerque High School in 1936, the school board 
determined that the six black graduates had to sit behind their 
classmates and would not have a spotlight shone on them as they 
received their diplomas. But Omar was not intimidated. He walked with 
dignity up to the stage in darkness to get his diploma to the ovation 
of his classmates. Years later, he was awarded ``Outstanding Graduate 
of the Past 100 Years'' by the same people who would not allow him to 
sit with his classmates forty-three years earlier.
  Omar attended the University of California at Los Angeles prior to 
entering the Army Air Corps during World War II. Captain Blair belonged 
to the all-black 332nd Fighter Squadron--the famed Tuskegee Airmen--
where he developed a reputation for daring. His squadron had been 
called upon to escort bombers on a raid over Berlin, but their fighters 
needed bigger fuel tanks to go the distance and they were not available 
through normal channels. Captain Blair learned that the needed tanks 
were on an Army train coming from Naples. He organized a convoy, 
stopped the train and forcibly offloaded the tanks as they were 
critical to his squadron's mission. Captain Blair got the job done and 
the bombing raid went off without a hitch.
  In 1951, Omar and his wife Jeweldine, came to Denver. He found work 
and started a family that grew to include three children. He also found 
time to get involved in public affairs and was elected to the Denver 
Board of Education in 1972. He served two terms and was voted the first 
African American to serve as president of the school board. He led our 
city through what was arguably the most tumultuous era for public 
education in Denver. The schools were under court order to desegregate 
and Mr. Blair and other board members became the driving force to 
implement the order through busing. But his tenure on the board was not 
about changing how kids got to school; it was about fundamental change 
and the quality of public education. For Omar Blair, integrating 
schools did not mean simply having students sit with one another. It 
meant integrating school resources, providing new textbooks, hiring 
more teachers and making sure schools were uniformly upgraded and 
maintained. In short, it meant equal education for all of our children.
  Omar served as President of the Colorado Association of School 
Boards, Vice President of the National Caucus of Black School Board 
Members, and National President of the Council of Great City Schools. 
But his service was not limited to education. He served as a 
Commissioner of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority during the time when 
he and his colleagues initiated the 16th Street Mall Project. He was a 
founding member of the Greater Park Hill Sertoma Club and his work was 
recognized by Sertoma International. He served as President of the Owls 
Club of Denver and as a board member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce 
and the East Denver YMCA.
  Omar was honored on numerous occasions and his accolades include: the 
American-Israel Friendship League's Partners in Education Award; the 
U.S. Department of Justice Award for Outstanding Community Service and 
an honorary ``Doctor of Public Service'' degree

[[Page E525]]

from Metropolitan State College of Denver. His church, Shorter 
Community AME, dedicated its community room in his name and on April 
26, 2003, the City and County of Denver named the Blair-Caldwell 
African American Research Library in recognition of his lifetime of 
service to our community. But accolades don't tell the whole story. 
Omar once made a poignant reference in an article that after 52 years 
of marriage to Jeweldine, ``You can put this in big bold letters--
without her I would not be half the person I am and I know that.'' Not 
only was Omar Blair a man of accomplishment, he was a man who was well-
grounded with a clear sense of what mattered.
  Omar Blair was an unrelenting advocate for the causes that elevate 
the human condition. He burnished a reputation of being forthright, 
pragmatic, outspoken and ``taking on all comers.'' But ultimately, he 
was dedicated to our children--all of our children. He constantly 
reiterated that ``the kids are what it's all about'' and I believe his 
legacy to us is to never waver in our commitment to future generations.
  Omar Blair lived a life of meaning and one that is rich in 
consequence. It is the character and deeds of Omar Blair, and all 
Americans like him, which distinguish us as a people. Truly, we are all 
diminished by the passing of this remarkable person. Please join me in 
paying tribute to the life of Omar D. Blair, a distinguished citizen. 
It is the values, leadership and commitment he exhibited during his 
life that serves to build a better future for all Americans.

                          ____________________