[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE ALAN WHEAT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Honorable 
Alan Wheat, former Congressman who represented Missouri's 5th District 
from 1983 to 1994. Born to James Weldon and Emogene Wheat in San 
Antonio, Texas on October 16, 1951, Alan is one of three children.
  Congressman Wheat made history by becoming one of the Nation's first 
African-Americans to represent a district with a white majority. 
Although it was suggested that he would only support African-American 
issues, one-third of Wheat's vote total in the primary came from white 
voters.
  Throughout his career, Congressman Wheat earned the widely respected 
reputation of being a strong political leader and coalition builder. 
This well earned reputation led to him becoming the youngest member and 
only the third freshman Congressman in history to be appointed to the 
powerful Rules Committee. Dedicated to public service, Congressman 
Wheat ran for the U.S. Senate in 1994, won the Democratic primary and 
became the first minority candidate selected as a major party nominee 
for statewide office in Missouri. When Congressman Wheat made his bid 
for the Senate, he was described as ``a new kind of black candidate: 
not simply a representative of black America but a bridge-builder 
between black and white America.''
  In 1995, Wheat became vice president of public policy and government 
relations for the CARE Foundation, an international relief and 
development organization, one of the largest of its kind in the Nation.
  In 1998, Congressman Wheat formed Wheat Government Relations. With 
his unparalleled knowledge of the legislative process and his 
reputation for promoting bipartisan support, Wheat Government Relations 
has established him as a successful, bipartisan liaison between the 
government and the private sector.
  Congressman Wheat holds a Bachelor of Arts from Grinnell College. He 
is married to Yolanda and has three children.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to induct Congressman Wheat into the 
Missouri Walk of Fame. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Congressman Alan Wheat for his commitment to the great state of 
Missouri.

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