[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MR. ALTON YATES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to and honor the life achievements of Mr. Alton Yates, a man of 
many talents and passions who, by his own convictions and beliefs in 
the dignity of human kind, paved the way for so many to achieve their 
goals, and influence the course of history.
  Alton Yates was born of modest yet proud means, the second of seven 
children, raised in the powerful and nurturing shadow of his father, a 
man of principles, character and determination. His father instilled in 
him the need to achieve beyond your born station in life, and by so 
doing help to sew in the fabric of humanity threads of decency, 
respect, and quest for the betterment of mankind. Alton Yates 
accomplished his earlier goals, and those of his father by making sure 
all that was available to him through education and interaction, he 
would absorb and be nurtured by this new found knowledge. Here is a man 
of unparalleled dedication and commitment. He is not only a pioneer in 
the early days of the space program and the civil rights movement, 
Alton Yates went on to a successful career in city government and 
business. He was a pioneer in the early days of the space program as a 
volunteer for a program that would test the effects of space flight on 
the human body. This was America's first efforts to put a man in space 
and to ensure that man could survive in space. Likewise, as we 
celebrate the historic inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama as 
the next President of the United States of America, this journey for 
him and all of us, including Alton Yates began before he was born. 
Alton Yates was there at the beginning. He sat down at lunch counters, 
time and time again, often suffering human indignity and physical abuse 
at the hands of those who would seek to deny him, and us, our piece of 
the American dream, simply, and only because of the color of one's 
skin. Alton Yates and others like him paved the way that has led to the 
election of an African-American President-Elect. Alton Yates never 
recoiled from the responsibility of family, community, and service to 
mankind.
  From the early days of segregation, to the chance to help establish 
this nation's space program, as an African-American, to his ability to 
serve and protect the ideals of equality and personal responsibility, 
we are indebted to Alton Yates for his courage and his belief in the 
sanctity and strength of the human spirit.
  We acknowledge his wife of 48 years, former Jacksonville City 
Councilwoman, Gwendolyn Yates for her individual achievements and the 
support she and family has given to Alton that has allowed him to soar 
to great heights, as a man, a husband, a father, a pioneer, and a civil 
rights leader and gentleman.

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