[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 187 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2203-E2204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE PASSING OF MY DEAREST FRIEND AND CBC FOUNDATION FOUNDING MEMBER, 
                              OFIELD DUKES

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I have been blessed 
to call many wonderful people my friend, but none more than Ofield 
Dukes. I am extremely saddened by the passing of such great man who had 
significant impact in not only my life, but that of my Colleagues in 
the Congressional Black Caucus, dating back to its founding. Aside from 
his many accomplishments in business, politics and his personal life, 
Ofield was simply a true and kind person who sought to make our country 
a better place for all. I will forever miss his virtue, justness and 
sincerity.
  Ofield was the best communications strategist in Washington. He 
helped organized the first Congressional Black Caucus (CBS) dinner in 
1971 and served as an advisor to numerous CBC chairpersons. He was a 
founding member of the CBC Foundation and served on the Foundation 
Board (CBCF) for 14 years. As the first chairman of the Foundation's 
Finance and Fundraising Committee, Ofield was instrumental in 
developing strategies for fundraising including recruiting business 
support and active involvement.
  Ofield's devotion to his craft was esteemed by everyone. In 1988, 
Ofield was selected by CBC Chairman Julian Dixon to serve as chairman 
of a historic black-tie dinner in salute of U.S. Supreme Court Justice 
Thurgood Marshall. When the CBC Chairman Clyburn needed a person to 
organize and edit the first news letter of the CBC-CBCF, he called 
Ofield and for seven years he did a superb job in editing the CBC-CBCF 
newsletter.
  In addition to his work with the CBC & CBCF, Ofield was dedicated to 
fighting for racial equality. He served for 10 years on the board of 
the MLK, Jr. Committee for Non-Violent Social Change and as an advisor 
to Mrs. Coretta Scott King. He also served as an advisor to Dr. Leon 
Sullivan, organized the first Stevie Wonder March to make Dr. King's 
birthday a national holiday and was an advisor to Alex Haley, author of 
the epic book ``Roots'' which provided the impetus for the historic TV 
series.
  Aside from all his public service achievements, Ofield always find 
time to nurture the next generation of communicators and political 
minds. As an adjunct professor for 25 years at the Howard University 
John H. Johnson School of Communication, Ofield is credited with 
influencing hundreds of students to enter the field of public 
relations. He also taught public relations at the American University 
for eight years.
  In politics, Ofield served as a communications consultant to the 
Democratic National Committee in six presidential campaigns. In 1998, 
Ofield worked very closely with me in developing the national African 
American media strategy that helped generate a large black voter 
turnout that helped Democrats to gain control of the House of 
Representatives.
  Ofield is credited with having tremendous impact on the professional 
lives of many. Radio One Founder Cathy Hughes says there would not be a 
Radio One without the early support and continuing advice of Ofield. 
Upon receiving his graduate degree from Princeton University, Robert 
Johnson called Ofield who arranged the first two jobs for Johnson in 
Washington, D.C. prior to his founding BET.
  In 2001, Ofield became the first African American to win the Public 
Relations Society of America's Gold Anvil, the highest individual 
awards given in the public relations industry. In 2004, PRWeek named 
him one of this nation's top five national communicators. In 2009, 
Dukes succeeded Dr. C. Delores Tucker as President of the Bethune-
DuBois Institute.
  Ofield's other professional recognition includes: being named by the 
Washington Post as one of the top five PR persuaders in Washington; 
among the first to be inducted into the Washington, D.C. Public 
Relations Hall of Fame; inducted into the Commonwealth of Virginia 
Communications Hall of Fame; and receiving the Wayne State University 
2010 Alumni Achievement Award.
  Ofield's list of accomplishments goes on and on, but what his 
friendship meant to me and so many people is immeasurable. I want to 
express my deepest condolences to his beautiful family. Ofield Dukes 
was one of a kind and he will be deeply missed. His legacy will last 
throughout Washington and our country.

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