[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. BENJAMIN L. HOOKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, this morning, Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks--civil 
rights leader, minister, scholar, and attorney--passed away. With great 
sorrow, I extend my condolences and sympathy to his family and friends.
  Dr. Hooks was a champion of minorities and the poor, who raised the 
stature of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored 
People in his 15 years as executive director (1977-1992). He 
repositioned the organization to increase its national prominence and 
added thousands of new members.
  A staunch advocate of self-help among the Black community, who urged 
wealthy and middle-class Blacks to give time and resources to those 
less fortunate, Dr. Hooks once stated, ``It's time today to bring it 
out of the closet. No longer can we proffer polite, explicable, reasons 
why Black America cannot do more for itself. I'm calling for a 
moratorium on excuses. I challenge Black America today, all of us, to 
set aside our alibis.'' His challenge powerfully resonated throughout 
the NAACP and, in turn, impacted the Black community.
  Throughout his life, Dr. Hooks continued his advocacy and focused on 
opening channels of dialogue among all races and classes in America. 
Upon retirement he served as a professor and later returned to 
preaching.
  In honor of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others, I 
encourage each of us to remember Dr. Benjamin Hooks great contributions 
to our Nation.

                          ____________________