[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5981-H5982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING PARREN J. MITCHELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, as a young man I worked on Capitol Hill for a 
United States Senator, along with the Speaker, Senator Daniel Brewster.
  From time to time, Clarence Mitchell, Jr., one of the giants of 
American history in civil rights in America, would visit Senator 
Brewster; and I would have an opportunity to meet him. I was honored 
and awed to meet him. Many called him the 101st United States Senator. 
Clarence Mitchell, Jr., was the brother of Parren James Mitchell.
  Shortly after I graduated from law school, I was honored by the 
citizens of my district who elected me to the State Senate. I went to 
the State Senate as a young man, but there was a young man 6 months 
younger than I. His name was Clarence Mitchell, III, Clarence Junior's 
son. We served together.

[[Page H5982]]

  Over the years, I got to know very well Juanita Mitchell, an 
extraordinary family, an extraordinary family whose matriarch, Ms. 
Jackson, was an extraordinary leader in her own right.
  Parren J. Mitchell was my friend. In 1981, many years after I met the 
Mitchell family for the first time, I ran for Congress. Juanita 
Mitchell and Parren Mitchell and Clarence Mitchell, III, were very 
helpful to me in that campaign. I represented a large African American 
population. They have always been very supportive of me and I of them. 
Parren Mitchell did a radio ad for me during the course of that 
campaign urging all in Prince George's County to elect me. That was a 
significant help, in my opinion, to my election.
  He has been succeeded when he decided voluntarily to leave the 
Congress by two extraordinary representatives. One was Kweisi Mfume, 
who spoke at the funeral today; and the other was my colleague and my 
friend, the immediate past chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus 
which was founded by Parren J. Mitchell with Lou Stokes and others.
  Elijah Cummings spoke. He spoke powerfully and eloquently about the 
relationship that he throughout his life had with the Mitchell family 
and the impact that they made on him as an individual. The Mitchell 
family and Parren J. Mitchell in particular were extraordinary servants 
of the people, of our democracy, of our country.
  When Parren J. Mitchell was sworn in as the first African American to 
represent the people of Maryland in Congress, he joined this 
institution at a landmark moment for equality in America. It was 1971. 
The Voting Rights Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968 
had already been signed into law. African Americans were making strides 
that once seem unimaginable; and the assassinations of leaders like Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy raised questions 
as to what the future of the civil rights movement would be.
  Parren Mitchell. Parren Mitchell, a man who took it upon himself to 
not only protect the legacy of the civil rights pioneers who had come 
before but to build upon the progress that made it possible for him to 
come to Washington in the first place.
  Rather than be satisfied with how far the struggle for freedom and 
equality had come in recent years, Parren took responsibility for 
moving America even further, dedicating his life to ensuring that 
American society reflected the values and the principles for which this 
great country stands.
  Parren was a founding member, as I have said, of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, a body that has transformed the way we approach issues of 
social and economic justice through an understanding that unity is the 
key to lasting change here in the United States.
  Parren fought for fairness in American workplaces and institutions of 
higher learning as a staunch advocate of affirmative action programs 
that opened the doors of opportunity to thousands of minorities. As the 
Speaker said today in her remarks, he was not only committed to 
equality but understood that equity, particularly ownership in our 
society, a piece of the pie, was absolutely essential as well.
  Parren helped to enhance the fortunes of America's minority business 
community by introducing legislation ensuring that minority owned 
business enterprises have a fair shot at Federal contracts, a provision 
we see mirrored in local and State government contracting practices all 
over our Nation today because of the leadership and commitment of 
Parren Mitchell.
  Parren's life was one of historic firsts, from the first African 
American congressman from Maryland to the first African American to 
receive a degree from my alma mater, the University of Maryland.
  His life was also one of service, serving his country proudly and 
honorably as an officer in the 92nd Infantry Division during World War 
II and serving the people of Baltimore and our Nation as a man who 
would never give up fighting for what he knew to be right and just.
  Coretta Scott King once said that struggle is a never-ending process, 
and freedom never really won; you earn it and win it in every 
generation.
  We are all profoundly fortunate that a leader like Parren Mitchell 
was here to carry the torch of human progress that was passed down to 
his generation, and we all are profoundly grateful for his contribution 
to expanding the reach of civil rights and equal opportunity in 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the life of Parren J. Mitchell, I 
would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones 
and many friends, to express my deep gratitude for his years of service 
to this House, the State of Maryland and this great country.
  Parren J. Mitchell was short in stature, but he was a giant of a man. 
He stood tall. He stood with courage, he stood with commitment, and he 
stood with conviction for the rights of all Americans, not just those 
who were African Americans but of all Americans, irrespective of who 
they are, what they were, where they came from, how they worshipped. He 
knew that equality for one was absolutely essential if there was to be 
equality for all. America was blessed by the service of Parren J. 
Mitchell.
  Today we heard of the love, the respect, and the honor with which he 
was held by his community. I am proud to join Speaker Pelosi from his 
beloved city of Baltimore; Elijah Cummings who represents that city so 
well today and that district that Parren represented. He would be so 
proud, Elijah, of the representation you give to the 7th Congressional 
District. And to John Sarbanes whose father served shoulder to shoulder 
with Parren Mitchell in this House from 1971 to 1976. He would be so 
proud of you, John, and the role you play in representing that great 
city.
  I was blessed, Mr. Speaker, to serve with Parren Mitchell for the 
time that he served and I served together. I learned from him. I am 
better because of him, and I miss him deeply.

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