[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 71 (Wednesday, June 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1032-E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Ambassador Andrew Young, as the City Club of Cleveland honors him with 
the Citadel of Free Speech Award.

[[Page E1033]]

  Ambassador Young was born and raised in New Orleans to parents who 
instilled within him and his brother the value of hard work, education 
and the significance of giving back to others. Following his graduation 
from Howard University, Ambassador Young's unwavering social conscience 
directed him to a life of social activism, leadership and the Christian 
ministry. He studied the writings and ideology of Gandhi, and became 
drawn to the methods of non-violent resistance as a catalyst for change 
within the civil rights movement, including organizing civil rights 
demonstrations and drives to register African Americans to vote. 
Ambassador Young formed a close bond with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 
and chose to stay in Atlanta to work as one of Dr. King's lead 
commanders on the front lines of the civil rights movement. Ambassador 
Young was named the executive director of the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference. Like other civil rights heroes who dared to 
challenge the status quo, Ambassador Young remained committed to the 
cause, despite death threats and being jailed for his participation in 
the movement.
  In 1972, Ambassador Young was elected as the first African American 
Congressman from Georgia. He was re-elected in 1974 and 1976. Following 
his third term in Congress, President Jimmy Carter appointed him as the 
United States Ambassador to the United Nations, where he served with 
courage, conviction and integrity. In 1981, President Carter awarded 
him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Later that year, Ambassador 
Young was elected as Mayor of Atlanta. He was reelected in 1985. During 
his tenure, he raised Atlanta onto a platform of economic strength and 
international investment, which set a course for Atlanta as a vibrant, 
thriving city that continues today.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of Ambassador Andrew Young, whose vision, commitment, activism and 
wisdom continue to raise America into the light and promise of social 
justice for all. As recipient of the Citadel of Free Speech Award, 
presented by the City Club of Cleveland, Ambassador Young continues to 
personify the words--grace, courage, and devotion to our freedoms and 
commitment to people here in America and around the world. Ambassador 
Young's life continues to be a journey of inspiration for every 
American, and his goodwill and activism continues to extend from across 
our Nation to places around the world, lending us all hope for the 
promise of a better day.

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