[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 31 (Saturday, February 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE CURRENT AND FORMER AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 16, 2007

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, I rise today to pay tribute to the current 
and former African-American Members of Congress with Chairwoman 
Kilpatrick and my distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Stephanie 
Tubbs Jones.
  Our Nation can feel proud today that a record number of 43 black or 
African-American Members serve in the 110th Congress; 42 in the House 
of Representatives and one in the Senate. In total, there have been 119 
black Members of Congress: 114 elected to the House and five to the 
Senate. Of those, 110 have been members with full voting rights in the 
House, a number that corresponds with the number of Congresses convened 
since our Nation's independence.
  Voters sent the first black member to Congress during reconstruction. 
His name was Hiram Rhodes Revels (R-MS) and he served in the Senate in 
the 41st Congress (1870). His first black counterpart in the House, 
Joseph H. Rainey (R-SC), came during that same session.
  Since then, African Americans have extended the honor roll of 
``firsts'' and ``greatests,'' ``largests'' and ``most actives'' in both 
chambers. The 103rd Congress saw the largest class of black freshmen 
ever elected. Today, in the 110th Congress, we have five African-
American full committee chairmen and 17 subcommittee chairs. Such a 
concentration of leadership is unprecedented. In addition to our 
constituents, we have our predecessors to thank.
  Each current and former member of this august body owes a debt of 
gratitude to the members emeritus who came before them. Each African-
American child who dreams of ascending to elected office has more than 
100 trailblazers to light his or her way. It is this progress toward 
equal opportunity and representation that we celebrate today, during 
this month when we draw inspiration from an illustrious past to create 
a brighter future. On behalf of each current African-American member of 
the 110th Congress, I extend the deepest respect and gratitude to all 
those who preceded us.

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