[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 131 (Thursday, September 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1819-E1820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF DESMOND MPILO TUTU

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2007

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to support 
House Resolution 34 and to honor the life and works of Archbishop 
Desmond Tutu, an ardent advocate of civil rights for all.
  Archbishop Tutu became the Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in 
Johannesburg in 1975, becoming the first black African to hold that 
position. In 1978, he went on to become the General Secretary of the 
South African Council of Churches (SACC), an ecumenical organization 
working for social justice, where Archbishop Tutu was again the first 
black African to hold his position. In this capacity, Archbishop Tutu 
performed yeoman's work in crusading for racial justice and the end of 
apartheid. Indeed, under Archbishop Tutu's leadership, SACC's 
nonviolent leadership played a pivotal role in bringing about the 
disintegration of South Africa's apartheid government.
  In 1984, in recognition of this work, Archbishop Tutu was awarded the 
Nobel Peace Prize, a well-deserved honor given all of his efforts. This 
award, though, did not signify the end of Archbishop Tutu's efforts to 
create a more just world. In 1986, he was elected the Archbishop of 
Cape Town, making him the head of the Anglican Church in South Africa 
and giving him an appropriately prominent platform for his message in 
support of equality.
  After the downfall of South Africa's apartheid government, Archbishop 
Tutu continued to be an inspiration for us all. In 1996, President 
Nelson Mandela appointed him to chair South Africa's Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission, a body designed to probe human rights 
violations under the apartheid government and to reconcile the 
country's black and white communities. This commission created a new 
model for countries looking to overcome violent, discriminatory 
histories in peaceful ways. Archbishop Tutu later became the founding 
trustee of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, an organization dedicated to 
spreading peace through South Africa and the world.
  Archbishop Desmond Tutu's life provides a shining example of 
compassion, dedication and unyielding work for justice. I congratulate 
Archbishop Tutu for reaching his 75th birthday and for all of his good 
works over the course of his life, and I commend my friend and 
colleague from the great state of Texas, Ms. Jackson-Lee, for 
introducing this resolution.

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