[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MANDINGO TSHAKA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2010

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest thanks 
and most sincere gratitude to Mandingo Tshaka, a resident of Bayside, 
New York, who first identified and advocated for the need to 
acknowledge the significant role that slave labor played in the 
construction of the United States Capitol several years ago. This week, 
Mr. Tshaka will be traveling to Washington, DC to witness his vision 
realized when Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid will unveil a 
series of plaques that honor and remember the contributions made by 
enslaved African Americans during the building of the Capitol. Thanks 
to his work and perseverance, the United States government will for the 
first time acknowledge the regrettable, humiliating, embarrassing, and 
humbling truth that slave labor helped to construct the very building 
that houses democracy in our Nation's capital.
  In 2005, a Congressionally mandated study confirmed that slave labor 
was used extensively in the construction of the Capitol. The study 
confirmed what Mr. Tshaka already knew: One of the most egregious human 
rights violations in the history of the modern world helped erect the 
United States Capitol. It is to Mr. Tshaka's enduring credit that 
Congress will publicly and permanently recognize this fact this week.
  Throughout his life, Mr. Tshaka has tirelessly dedicated himself to 
advocating for civil, minority and community rights. A lifelong 
resident of New York City, he has contributed immeasurably to the 
improvement of his community and of his country. While this week's 
ceremony will be bittersweet, I am pleased that Mr. Tshaka will be 
present to witness the fulfillment of his latest endeavor to promote 
civil rights and awareness.
  I look forward to welcoming Mr. Tshaka to the Capitol for this 
historic unveiling and I am proud to see Congress recognize the truth 
behind the Capitol's construction. I ask my colleagues in the House to 
join me in recognizing Mandingo Tshaka and thank him for helping to 
make this week's ceremony a reality.

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