[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E3026-E3027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING A. PHILIP RANDOLPH FOR HIS LIFELONG LEADERSHIP AND WORK TO 
                           END DISCRIMINATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I express my support for H. 
Res. 150, introduced by my colleague Chairman Charles Rangel, which 
recognizes the accomplishments of the great civil rights leader, A. 
Philip Randolph.
  Mr. Randolph not only made great strides in shaping the civil rights 
movement during the turn of the 20th century, but he also impacted the 
growth of the labor movement and the rise of union labor.
  A. Philip Randolph had a significant effect on political discourse in 
the African-American community during the 1930s with the founding of 
The Messenger, a political and literary magazine which documented 
several of the greatest injustices of our history. Through this 
magazine, Randolph advocated civil disobedience and membership in labor 
unions.
  Mr. Randolph championed the cause of African-American men in labor, 
from sleeping car porters to elevator operators. He organized and 
founded the Brotherhood for Sleeping Car Porters, which fought for 
overtime pay and pay increases for sleeping car porters, a majority of 
which were African-American, at a time when sharecropping in the South 
was still widespread.
  We also honor Mr. Randolph for his leadership in organizing the March 
on Washington, which will be remembered as one of the most important 
political rallies of the twentieth century.
  A. Philip Randolph personified the idea of a renaissance man, as a 
writer, actor, political activist and union organizer. He achieved the 
unachievable during a time when education was unattainable for most 
African-Americans, even most Americans.
  Mr. Randolph has received numerous awards, namely, the Congressional 
Medal of Honor, one of the highest honors for civilians in the United 
States of America. His contributions to our great Nation are 
undeniable, and

[[Page E3027]]

the path that he forged will be traversed by generations to come.

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