[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2182-E2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           A TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS LEADERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, in the past I have often had the delight of 
saluting my departing colleagues with a tribute in Rap poetry. At this 
point, however, circumstances have been reversed and I am departing. As 
I leave, it will be my pleasure to offer some brief portraits in words 
describing the very able women and men I leave behind.
  Today I would like to highlight three outstanding members--Eddie 
Bernice Johnson, Donald Payne, and Maxine Waters--who have served as 
President of the Congressional Black Caucus, CBC. The continually 
improving effectiveness of the CBC is due to the fact that it is able 
to benefit from the talent and know-how of a pool of very dedicated and 
competent leaders. They also have unique personalities that can be 
appreciated with a few light-hearted verses, see three attached RAP 
poems.

                            Texas Mona Lisa

     Power and mystery
     In generous portions mated;
     Fair time she allots
     For any issue debated
     But her moods are rapidly rotated
     Her anger can be swiftly escalated;
     Mess with Eddie Bernice's pride
     And she'll quickly invite you outside.
     Once great goddess of reapportionment,
     Her lines drawn in stone would stay,
     Through ten years would never fray,
     Untouched by rustler Tom DeLay.
     Slow sly smile
     Magnetic style
     Great resource of charm and stealth
     But on the side also some Texas wealth.
     Struggle focused credo uniquely excited,
     Power and mystery tightly united,
     Beneath the strict no nonsense fashion
     Run deep wells of cosmic compassion.

                          Special Envoy Payne

     Female agents fondly remember his name--
     Tireless globetrotting fearless Don Payne.
     Stealth master across the globe
     Always on the probe;
     Quiet in his command
     But tightly holds leader's lives
     In the palm of his cool hand.
     When Donald says move
     Charles Taylor hops into the groove;
     Liberia from Jersey must learn
     To let rule from Newark
     Take its empire turn.
     Don travels
     With the proud and brave,
     Somalia he single-handedly
     Sought to save.
     Always on the probe

[[Page E2183]]

     Stealth master across the globe
     But at home he still holds power,
     Email orders cross Newark every hour;
     In each Jersey county
     A Payne relative rules,
     Most powerful political tools.
     Tireless globetrotting crafty Don Payne,
     Lady agents fondly remember his name.

                              Mean Maxine

     Queen Maxine
     Can act hard and mean,
     She can fertilize
     Any Congressional Record page
     With unforgettable rage.
     Queen Maxine
     Can act hard and mean
     When the CIA deals dope
     But her career fills with tears
     When hungry African kids
     Are offered no help and no hope.
     Soft candy at the core
     But like nails when there's a need;
     With California flash
     And Southern mother wit
     She's a rare dynamite breed.
     With Hollywood skills
     She makes political thrills,
     One foot in the palace of influence
     The other planted on the street,
     Mistress of coalition magic
     She makes power methods meet.
     CIA drug selling she labeled a fact
     Iran Gate caught traitors in the act:
     To save Contras zealots were
     Selling weapons and flags
     Who could doubt they had
     Peddled drugs in little brown bags.
     Outrageously right
     Maxine makes moderates uptight;
     Radicals suspect her elegant style
     Cause she got arrested for Haiti
     Wearing expensive stuff;
     Never mind the clothes,
     Just a few weeks later
     Clinton told the Haitian dictators
     That the CBC had enough.
     Soft candy at the core
     But like nails when there's a need;
     With California flash
     And Southern mother wit
     She's a rare dynamite breed.

                          ____________________