[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 169 (Friday, November 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13721-S13722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BENJAMIN HOOKS

  Mr. CORKER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor an exceptional 
Tennessean and a pioneer in the civil rights movement. Benjamin Hooks 
was born in Memphis, TN, in 1925, the fifth of seven children by Robert 
and Bessie Hooks.
  He grew up in a loving family who taught him to succeed in both 
education and life. After high school, Dr. Hooks began his higher 
education by taking pre-law classes at LeMoyne College in Memphis. 
Prior to finishing his degree, he was drafted into the Army, honorably 
serving our country in World War II. When he returned home, he went to 
graduate school at Howard University and afterwards received a law 
degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
  As Dr. Hooks went through life and excelled in various endeavors, 
there was one experience that greatly molded the future direction of 
his life: being born into and growing up in the scourge of racial 
segregation. After Dr. Hooks graduated college, he returned home and 
vowed to do his part to end racial segregation.
  Initially, he fought the fight by becoming one of the first African-
American lawyers in Tennessee. It was during this time he met and 
married Ms. Frances Dancy. Frances was a school teacher and guidance 
counselor. Eventually, her career took a different path, and she became 
her husband's assistant, adviser, and traveling companion. They had one 
daughter together, Patricia Hooks Gray.
  As Dr. Hooks continued to practice law, he was called to fight for 
civil rights from another forum, the ministry. In 1956, he was ordained 
a Baptist minister and began to preach regularly at the Middle Baptist 
Church in Memphis, TN. It was there he joined Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and became a pioneer in 
the NAACP-sponsored restaurant sit-ins and other boycotts.
  Through these efforts, he became a respected voice in the community 
and in the State. In 1965, Gov. Frank Clement appointed him to become 
the first African-American criminal court judge in Tennessee history.
  His efforts as a preacher, judge, and civil rights pioneer eventually 
led Hooks to Washington, DC, to become the first African-American 
appointee to the Federal Communications Commission. There he continued 
the civil rights fight by addressing numerous minority representation 
issues in the communications industry.
  In 1976, he was elected as the executive director of the NAACP, where 
he led that organization for more than 15 years. As a director, he 
helped to increase membership and fundraising efforts, as well as plan 
for the organization's future for 17 years.
  He also broadened the scope of the NAACP by exploring national issues 
such as energy, the environment, the criminal justice system, welfare, 
and national health insurance.
  Throughout his work as a civil rights advocate, he has received 
numerous awards, including the Humanitarian Award from the National 
Conference of Christians and Jews, and the Freedom Award from the 
National Civil Rights Museum.
  The University of Memphis created the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for 
Social Change, honoring Benjamin Hooks. The Hooks Institute works to 
advance understanding of the civil rights movement through teaching, 
research, and community programs and put an emphasis on social 
movements, race relations, strong communities, public education, 
effective public participation, and social and economic justice.
  On Monday, I am pleased that Dr. Hooks will receive one more honor, 
one of the highest civilian awards: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 
This medal is given to individuals who have

[[Page S13722]]

made an especially meritorious contribution to society.
  Dr. Hooks is a living example of that type of person. His life is an 
example that even while facing adversity through hard work, you can 
accomplish revolutionary change. His legacy will not only continue in 
our State but also throughout our Nation.
  So it is only fitting that through this award he once again joins the 
ranks of other civil rights pioneers such as Martin Luther King, Jr., 
Clarence M. Mitchell, Leon Howard Sullivan, and Roy Wilkins.
  It is an honor and a privilege to serve in the Senate on behalf of 
Tennesseans such as Dr. Hooks, who have exemplified the great courage 
that has not only positively affected our State but our country as 
well.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Klobuchar). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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