[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATION OF THE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF CONGRESSMAN LOUIS STOKES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise 
today to commemorate the 80th birthday of a living legend here in the 
United States Congress and a man who is revered and respected 
throughout this country, my predecessor, Congressman Louis Stokes.
  Born February 23, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, Louis Stokes was educated 
in the Cleveland Public Schools, graduating from Central High School. 
He went on to serve honorably in the United States Army during the 
Second World War. After three years of service he returned to Cleveland 
where he attended Western Reserve University and later earned his 
Doctor of Laws Degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School in 1953.
  On November 6, 1968, Louis Stokes was elected to the United States 
Congress, becoming the first African American member of Congress from 
the State of Ohio. He served 15 consecutive terms in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, ranking 11th overall in House seniority. Louis Stokes 
played a pivotal role in the quest for civil rights, equality and 
social and economic justice throughout his tenure in the United States 
Congress. He served on numerous committees throughout his tenure 
including the House Select Committee on Assassinations, the Ethics 
Committee, and the House Intelligence Committee.
  He was the dean of the Ohio Congressional Delegation and a founding 
member of the Congressional Black Caucus. His work in the area of 
health led to his appointment as a member of the Pepper Commission on 
Comprehensive Health Care, and he was the founder and chairman of the 
Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. His resume in its 
entirety is too lengthy to be recorded in this resolution as it is 
adequately recorded in the Congressional Record.
  On behalf of the people of the 11th Congressional District, I join 
with his wife Jay, children, Shelley, Angela, Louis and Lori, 
grandchildren, family and friends in wishing Congressman Louis Stokes a 
very happy and blessed 80th birthday. You have been a trailblazer for 
so many who have followed in your footsteps. I thank you for your 
continued support and guidance throughout my career. May you have many, 
many more.

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