[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CHARLES W. BOWSER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great 
Philadelphian, Charles W. Bowser.
  A respected attorney, civil rights advocate and humanitarian, Mr. 
Bowser has made an indelible imprint on Philadelphia's civic and 
political landscape. Understanding that freedom is not free, for nearly 
50 years Mr. Bowser has advanced the cause of freedom and justice. His 
path-clearing campaigns for mayor of Philadelphia in 1975 and 1979 
launched a movement that ultimately helped to elect W. Wilson Goode, 
the city's first Black mayor.
  A man of action, Mr. Bowser utilized his legal acumen and his 
journalistic skills to lead the fight for justice and inclusion but 
also to articulate the dreams and rights of the politically 
unempowered. Equally comfortable in a neighborhood community meeting, 
the board room of his legal firm or a mayor's cabinet meeting, Charles 
Bowser has had the same steady and strident voice raised against 
injustice.
  In celebration of his 70th birthday he wrote, ``My generation of 
African Americans was guided by the belief that we had to be united to 
oppose racial injustice. Racial injustice was our enemy and we knew 
that the great hope of freedom could only begin with the end of 
injustice. Our unity began in our churches, in our homes, in our 
schools and in our dreams. We believed that ensuring the great hope of 
freedom was our personal responsibility.''
  Throughout his career Mr. Bowser has led by example and we all have 
benefited from his leadership, intellect and integrity. Because he 
understood that freedom is not free, he has consistently demonstrated 
his willingness to contribute his share of the price of the hope of 
freedom, and we are indebted and it is for these reasons that I ask 
that you and my other distinguished colleagues rise to honor him.




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