[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2054-E2055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REPRESENTATIVE CAROLYN CHEEKS KILPATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional 
Black Caucus it is with great pleasure and pride that I rise today to 
extend my best wishes to Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick as she 
prepares to retire from the United States Congress after 14 years of 
service to the people of the 13th congressional district of Michigan 
and our nation.
  Congresswoman Kilpatrick was an exemplary chair of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, who I served with as First Vice Chair during the 110th 
Congress. I have also had the pleasure of serving with Congresswoman 
Kilpatrick as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where she 
has been a forceful advocate for her constituents and the state of 
Michigan. A brilliant and focused lawmaker, Congresswoman Kilpatrick is 
known for her inspirational leadership, her outstanding passion for 
public service, and her steadfast commitment to education and equality.
  While serving on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Kilpatrick has worked to 
level the

[[Page E2055]]

playing field for minority-owned media outlets and advertising firms 
that face discrimination from major advertisers. Spearheading a 
movement to foster greater equity, she hosted groundbreaking forums on 
diversity in advertising and was a leading force in the successful 
effort to secure a Presidential Executive Order compelling all federal 
agencies to increase their contractual opportunities with minority 
businesses.
  Prior to coming to Washington, Congresswoman Kilpatrick was a devoted 
mentor and educator who taught Business Education in the Detroit Public 
School system. From there, she was elected to the Michigan State House, 
where she served for 18 years and made history as the first African 
American woman to serve on the Michigan House Appropriations Committee. 
A tremendous role model to her students, supporters, colleagues, 
constituents and fellow Michigan residents, Congresswoman Kilpatrick 
has consistently demonstrated a pioneering fearlessness throughout her 
career.
  She established the Sojourner Truth Project to inspire young African 
American women to be leaders, and has developed many projects to 
underscore her deep commitment to secure future opportunities for our 
young people. And, as an international leader, Congresswoman Kilpatrick 
has led efforts to enhance trade, cultural and educational efforts 
between the American people and the people of Africa. She has led 
delegations abroad to solidify these ties, including leading the 
Congressional delegation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 
independence of Ghana. Congresswoman Kilpatrick has long been a strong 
voice for a rational United States foreign and military policy, and her 
unique insight will be missed by colleagues and friends throughout 
Washington, DC.
  Congresswoman Kilpatrick is a superb legislator and public servant, 
who throughout her illustrious career has always given voice to the 
voiceless and demonstrated an unyielding commitment to improving the 
human condition. There is no doubt that Congresswoman Kilpatrick has 
made an indelible mark on the world, and that she will continue to 
contribute the strength of her spirit, compassion, and intellect as she 
moves forward to this next chapter.
  On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I honor and salute 
Congresswoman Kilpatrick for her legacy of service to the residents of 
Michigan's 13th congressional district, to the American people, and to 
our global family.

                          ____________________