[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO MINNESOTA STATE REPRESENTATIVES NEVA WALKER AND KEITH 
                                ELLISON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to celebrate Black History 
Month by recognizing distinguished Minnesota legislators who are civil 
and human rights leaders: Minnesota State Representatives Neva Walker 
and Keith Ellison.
  Representative Neva Walker was born and raised in Minneapolis, and 
attended the University of Minnesota. A ``community baby,'' as referred 
to by elders, Walker comes from a family deeply involved in the 
community, especially the Sabathani Community Center which is a pillar 
of the community and a source of assistance to many. Walker grew up 
with this sort of activism, and she now embodies it herself.
  Representative Walker was encouraged to run for office when lobbying 
Minneapolis City Hall on housing issues. When she learned that no 
African American woman had served in the Minnesota Legislature, this 
firmed her resolve to run for office. In 2000, Neva Walker was elected 
to the Minnesota House where she continues to address disparities of 
all kinds: health, poverty, racial profiling and out-of-home placement.
  Representative Walker has a son, and is the youngest of seven 
children herself. In addition to her service in the State House, Rep. 
Walker contributes with many community involvements such as the 
Blaisdell YMCA board, the ``GirlsBEST'' initiative through the Women's 
Foundation of Minnesota, and the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. 
She takes every opportunity reach out to people, speaking to groups 
that range from children in daycare to college students.
  ``I consider myself a seed planter,'' Walker said about her efforts. 
``I'm always trying to educate and bring useful information to people, 
especially youth, people of color and women.''
  Representative Walker believes it critical to get civil rights issues 
back into the public's eye. Disparities in poverty and the justice 
system are too great to stand idly by, she said.
  Representative Keith Ellison was born in Detroit, attended Wayne 
State University and then came to Minneapolis to attend the University 
of Minnesota Law School. As a student, he first got involved in the 
anti-Apartheid movement. He and his wife have four children.
  ``I was raised in a household where I was encouraged to question 
things,'' he said. His grandfather had worked for voting rights, and 
Ellison grew up listening to stories of those experiences. Ellison's 
activism continued, and evolved into his profession as a trial lawyer, 
working on death penalty cases in Louisiana, as well as indigent 
defense work. Today at the Ellison Law Office, his legal work consists 
of criminal cases, civil rights cases and family law.
  Ellison was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives 
in 2002. He said that instead of cajoling and persuading government 
leaders to pursue worthy programs, he was determined to work for change 
from inside the system.
  ``When you're a community activist, you propose change,'' he said. 
``But when you're in office as a public official, you make the 
change.'' As one of two black Representatives in Minnesota, Ellison 
believes he helps to improve the level of engagement for people of 
color in the state. ``I think all people need to have equal access to 
their government.''
  He continues to work on issues of environmental justice, equal 
justice in the courts, voting rights, and public safety. He is also a 
cofounder of the Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota, which 
deals with environmental hazards posed by pollution.
  Ellison believes that the civil rights movement forever changed 
America, but that Americans must still work for economic, health, 
educational and social equality for all people.
  Mr. Speaker, Neva Walker and Keith Ellison are dedicated public 
servants who are making unique contributions to their communities, 
working for all people, but especially African Americans and other 
people of color, women, and the poor. They are committed to bringing 
the promise of America to all its people, and work day in and day out 
to achieve that ideal. I commend them for their activism and their 
service in the Minnesota Legislature, and their dedication to making 
their communities, our State, and our world a better place.

                          ____________________