[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E97-E98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE MUSE FREEMAN, NATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED CIVIL RIGHTS 
      ATTORNEY, PUBLIC EDUCATION ADVOCATE, SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAMPION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American--a nationally acclaimed civil rights attorney, public 
education advocate and a true champion of social justice . . . my dear 
friend and constituent, Frankie Muse Freeman.
  Frankie Freeman has been a practicing attorney in state and federal 
courts for more than 60 years. After graduating Hampton Institute and 
Howard University Law School, she began her career serving the state of 
Missouri and the City of St. Louis. During this time she helped the 
NAACP in the case of Brewton v. St. Louis Board of Education, and later 
represented the NAACP in the landmark case, Davis v. the St. Louis 
Housing Authority, which ended racial discrimination in public housing.
  In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Frankie Freeman as the 
first female member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.
  From 1967-1971, Frankie Muse Freeman served with distinction as the 
14th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. During this 
turbulent time period, she used her talents and skills as an attorney 
to enhance the Sorority's efforts to gain full civil rights for 
African-Americans. She spoke out often and effectively for social 
action and ensured that the Sorority continued to lead efforts to 
secure human rights for all people. She also used her tenure as 
National President to lead the Sorority in supporting the college 
education of a record breaking number of African-American students.
  Last July, Ms. Freeman became the 96th recipient of the coveted 
Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed on a citizen by the NAACP. 
In the official announcement issued by the NAACP Board of Directors 
Chairman Roslyn M. Brock, she noted, ``Frankie Muse Freeman has 
dedicated her life's work to the civil rights movement. She broke down 
barriers as a member of the NAACP's brain trust during the 1950s and as 
the first woman to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Her 
determination to end racial discrimination in American society for more 
than half a century serves as an inspiration to us all.''
  Mr. Speaker, Frankie Freeman has been a personal mentor of mine for 
almost 30 years. Her inspired advocacy laid the groundwork for the 
Federal Voting Rights Act, ended racial discrimination in public 
housing, and provided dedicated oversight of the St. Louis Public 
Schools and the voluntary desegregation plan. She is truly a national 
treasure and is most deserving of congressional recognition. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in honoring her remarkable service to the United 
States, the State of Missouri and the St. Louis community.

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