[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 20 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING FREDERICK DOUGLASS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to humbly honor the life 
of one of America's most courageous pioneers in the civil rights 
movement--Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was born 189 years ago 
this month, and although it has been over a century since he has walked 
this earth, his imprint on American history remains.
  For the past 21 years, I have had the privilege of representing 
Rochester, New York in Congress; and the city's historic commitment to 
the advancement of progressive causes has always served as an 
inspiration to me. When I am standing on the House floor, exhausted by 
another debate to protect our civil liberties, my spirit is 
reinvigorated when I think of Frederick Douglass' Rochester newspaper, 
the North Star, and the phrase printed on its masthead: ``Right is of 
no sex--Truth is of no color--God is the Father of us all, and we are 
all Brethren.''
  Beyond being a source of inspiration, Frederick Douglass is the 
subject of adoration as one of America's bravest heroes. After he 
escaped slavery in 1838, he devoted the remainder of his life to 
freeing other slaves and to ending the practice of slavery itself. Upon 
settling in Rochester, he used the city's location near the Canadian 
border to lead local Underground Railroad activities, giving sanctuary 
to freedom seekers as they fled from slavery, oppression, and 
injustice.
  In addition to his work in the abolitionist movement, Douglass fought 
to ensure that freed slaves were treated fairly. In 1863, Douglass met 
with President Lincoln to discuss the treatment of black soldiers in 
the civil war. He later met with President Andrew Johnson to discuss 
black suffrage. His tireless efforts in support of freedom and equality 
laid the ground work for future civil rights movements.
  Intolerant of any injustice, Douglass worked closely with another one 
of Rochester's leading progressive advocates, Susan B. Anthony, to 
fight for women's suffrage. In fact, he used his North Star newspaper 
not only to denounce slavery, but also to advocate for women's rights.
  Douglass found a home in Rochester among the progressive activists of 
the mid-1800 who fought for social reforms, the peace movement, and 
universal equality. It is certainly no surprise that Frederick Douglass 
felt a special connection to the City of Rochester, and chose to be 
buried here.
  Madam Speaker, Frederick Douglass' persistence, perseverance, and 
pertinacity serve as a timeless source of inspiration for Americans 
struggling for freedom against today's injustices. I urge my colleagues 
to join with me in celebrating and honoring Frederick Douglass' birth-
month. America and the City of Rochester are fortunate to have had such 
an outstanding leader among us. We must never forget his legacy.

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