[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 131 (Thursday, September 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF DESMOND MPILO TUTU

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support 
for H. Res. 34, a bill recognizing the 75th birthday of Desmond Tutu, 
South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, and Nobel Peace Prize 
recipient. I thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for introducing 
this bill to give us all an opportunity to celebrate the life of this 
remarkable leader.
  Words alone can't express my sincere admiration for Desmond Tutu and 
what he has contributed to the ending of apartheid and the founding of 
the new South Africa. He is one person who truly embodies and 
exemplifies in word and deeds justice, peace, courage, humility, 
dignity, strength, patience, understanding, leadership, and compassion.
  I truly admire Desmond Tutu for committing his life to changing South 
Africa and the world. One of the most oppressive eras in world history 
for black South Africans was living under the apartheid system. This 
awful system, which began in 1948, legally classified Blacks, Indians, 
Whites, and Colored people and called for segregation. The apartheid 
rules created ethnic based territories, in which those for Colored 
people were not equal to those for Whites. Thus, creating a nation in 
which Colored people, although the majority, were formally and legally 
justified to be oppressed, marginalized, and disenfranchised. Despite 
such injustice, Desmond Tutu worked tirelessly to reverse apartheid 
utilizing a non-violent approach. I believe his heart and soul rejoiced 
when apartheid was finally dismantled in 1994. His spirit is truly 
admirable.
  Desmond Tutu has been recognized with many prestigious awards for his 
contribution to mankind, all of which has made the world a better 
place. I'm so grateful to have witnessed his life and work. I urge my 
colleagues to honor him by supporting H. Res. 34. I also encourage 
people all over the world to learn about and become inspired by his 
life, work, and commitment to inspire world peace.

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