[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 189 (Monday, December 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING A. PHILIP RANDOLPH, A LEADER IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 14, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize A. Philip 
Randolph for his great life's work, demonstrating an unyielding 
struggle for human rights that impacted all marginalized groups in 
society during his time. He was an influential leader who had a hand in 
the civil rights and labor movements.
  A. Philip Randolph firmly believed that workers' rights and civil 
rights went hand in hand. He was influential in speaking out for 
African American rights during the 1930s and 1940s, focused 
particularly on labor and employment issues, and he was the leading 
force behind the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
  Not only did he lead a 10-year campaign to organize the Pullman 
Porters and served as the organization's first president, but Randolph 
directed the March on Washington movement to end employment 
discrimination. He was also elected a vice president of the newly 
merged AFL-CIO in 1955. Mr. Randolph was instrumental in changing the 
way Black Americans were treated in the workplace, and workers today 
are still benefiting from his efforts. A. Phillip Randolph realized the 
importance of organizing Black workers and used this position to 
advocate for desegregation and respect for civil rights inside the 
labor movement.
  It is only fitting that we recognize Randolph for his contributions 
as a founding father of the early civil rights movement. A. Philip 
Randolph struggled for social, political, and economic justice for all 
working Americans, and recognizing him in Congress is a long overdue 
honor that Randolph's legacy deserves.

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