[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 102 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1289-E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO SAM EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a great 
Philadelphian and a great American, the late Sam Evans.
  He had firsthand experience as a victim of oppression. His mother was 
born before abolition, and he witnessed five lynchings before

[[Page E1290]]

he turned 9 years old. But, he refused to live his life as a victim. 
His childhood under Jim Crow spurred an adulthood spent as a champion 
of justice. He led protests against American Nazism and discrimination 
of all kinds. He was jailed for his activities, but he never stopped 
standing up for his beliefs. He went on to organize and lead the 43,000 
Philadelphians who joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 1963 March 
on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
  Mr. Evans founded and led the American Foundation for Negro Affairs 
and the multi-ethnic Family of Leaders. He was a visionary and champion 
of the right to a decent education, decent housing and justice for all.
  But, more than anything, Sam Evans was a friend and a mentor to 
anyone who walked through his door. He never refused anyone who sought 
the benefit of his wisdom and experience. I spent many hours learning 
from him myself. I am proud to call myself a follower of Sam Evans.
  Sam is resting now. I know that he and his beloved Edna are swapping 
stories about Retha and the grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great-
grandkids. We will miss you, Sam. But, after 105 years of hard work on 
this Earth, we will never feel that you are gone.

                          ____________________