[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CLARENCE BOYKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Clarence Boykins, 
a fine Tucsonan who has been invaluable to my community. Clarence is 
retiring from his many years of service and he will be missed sorely.
  Clarence is a man with a resume and record of achievement so long, 
that I find it difficult to pick a jumping point from which to begin to 
describe the impact he has had on Arizona. Perhaps I should begin by 
noting that Clarence has been listed as one of the ``Most Influential 
African American Men in Arizona''. Indeed, Clarence deserves this 
recognition. But I would argue that his work has so deeply affected the 
lives of each and every one of us that a more appropriate descriptor 
would simply be one of the ``Most Influential individuals in Arizona''. 
His presence, his ideas and his actions have enabled diversity to 
flourish and, thus, he has enriched our worlds, expanded our 
viewpoints, and taught us to keep our eyes, minds and hearts open.
  For over thirty years now, Clarence has dedicated himself to the 
betterment of the Arizona community, and in effect, the betterment of 
humanity as a whole. One role that he has played sticks out in my mind: 
the role of integrator. In the long and diverse list of jobs, titles 
and honors that Clarence has held, the common thread that runs through 
all of them is that he has used each position to promote the benefits 
of multiculturalism. We cannot thank him enough for all that he has 
done to improve access to education. His work to desegregate schools 
was not only necessary, but it was a crucial step in building and 
strengthening multicultural relations within our community. Surely, a 
community as diverse as Tucson cannot stand divided. Clarence not only 
recognized this, but he had the good sense, and the strong drive 
needed, to take action.
  In reflecting on Clarence's commitment to multiculturalism. I am 
reminded of the work he did as the Campaign Coordinator for the re-
establishment of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in Arizona. The 
importance of celebrating this Holiday cannot be underestimated. It is 
a tribute to a man whose ideals spoke to equality, fairness and 
tolerance values that are essential to the very fabric of America. 
Clarence recognized the symbolic impact this Holiday has on our nation 
and, with true passion, he organized the successful passage, by vote of 
the citizens of the State of Arizona, of a ballot measure to re-instate 
the Holiday. We thank him for this.
  And, true to form, Clarence's devotion to multiculturalism has 
extended far beyond efforts to promote equality amongst his own 
ethnicity. I am proud and very grateful to have worked with Clarence 
over the years to establish a Holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez. His 
efforts have been vital to this effort and his support has been 
unwavering. Again, we thank you, Clarence.
  With Clarence's retirement come some big shoes to fill. 1 am 
confident, however, that the example he has set throughout his entire 
career has inspired many others to emulate his ideas, morals and values 
and that his good efforts will be carried on.

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