[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 9 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF M. PAUL REDD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 15, 2009

  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise, with great admiration for a leader 
of unparalleled strength of conviction and with personal sadness at the 
loss of a good friend, to pay tribute to the life, achievements, and 
memory of M. Paul Redd.
  Paul Redd's record of civic accomplishment is well-known: his 
tireless stewardship of the Westchester County Press, his founding of 
the Westchester Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., his leadership of 
Westchester/Putnam Affirmative Action, his deep engagement in the work 
of government and the challenge of politics. These roles and duties 
have been rightly noted and extolled in the days since Paul's passing, 
yet they alone do not capture the essence of the man.
  It was Paul Redd's fearless character, a trait that infused and 
informed all of his deeds, that shines most brightly in memory.
  Paul Redd moved easily in the corridors of power and counted among 
his friends men and women of great influence, but Paul was never an 
insider, because he understood at every moment that he spoke for those 
on the outside--those who were denied opportunities to achieve their 
potential, exercise their rights, and enjoy the full fruits of a free 
and decent society. And if Paul's voice was sometimes loud, it is 
because so often he gave voice to those without one of their own.
  Paul Redd was not interested in making anyone comfortable, nor in 
employing the empty pleasantries that too often conceal injustice. He 
understood that wrongs are best addressed directly and forcefully, in 
the full light of day. And he was willing to confront anyone, big or 
small, friend or foe, when the duties of conscience demanded it.
  It is no wonder, therefore, that his column ``M. Paul Tells All'' was 
so unique in its incisive commentary and in the attention it commanded 
among public officials and citizens alike. It is no wonder that Paul 
Redd was at the forefront of protests and demonstrations to achieve 
equal opportunity in housing and employment. It is no wonder that Paul 
Redd left a lasting mark in law and administration, an edifice of 
public policy that will outlive us all.
  Paul Redd's vocal public leadership was matched by a quiet, dutiful, 
and often thankless private acceptance of heavy responsibility. Nowhere 
is this more evident than in the survival and success of the 
Westchester County Press, sustained almost as an act of will by Paul 
Redd. He worked often late into the night and then on into the morning 
to ensure that it never missed an issue, enlisting friends and 
colleagues in his labors, and ensuring that the paper of record of 
Westchester's African-American community would not be silenced.
  It goes without saying that Paul was utterly devoted to and fully 
supported by his loving family, beginning with his partner and dear 
wife of so many years, Orial Redd, and continuing with two children who 
are accomplished in and devoted to service, Paula Redd Zeman and M. 
Paul Redd, Jr.
  Paul Redd surely drew great satisfaction and hope from the progress 
he witnessed--and often led--over the span of decades. He was proud of 
the many African-Americans who achieved public office in our county, 
encouraged by the breaking of barriers that opened the doors of public 
and private sector leadership to all Americans, and elated by the 
election of our nation's first African-American President. But Paul 
Redd never confused movement towards a goal with final attainment of a 
goal. His eyes were always forward, fixed on the unmet challenge and 
determined to meet it. Paul knew what our community and nation could 
and should be and, in life, was unwilling to rest so long as this 
vision remained distant.
  Like Dr. King, whom he revered, Paul Redd was destined to see the 
promised land, more clearly than most, but not to set foot within it. 
It must be the mission now of those who knew and loved him to finish 
the work for which Paul Redd gave every measure of his devotion.

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