[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 26 (Thursday, February 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MS. ALICE TREGAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2012

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the enormous 
impact and the many accomplishments of my dear friend, Alice Tregay. 
Alice has spent almost five decades pouring her heart and soul into 
promoting social change. Over these years, her activism has taken on 
many different forms: she has advocated on behalf of the disadvantaged, 
registered thousands of new voters, managed high profile political 
campaigns, and more. As a result of her actions, citizens of Illinois 
and those across the country are better off.
  Ms. Tregay's first leap into activism came in 1964, when she joined 
the protest against Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Willis and 
his infamous ``Willis Wagons.'' These wagons perpetuated segregation, 
and the community was energized in opposition. Marching alongside well-
known figures such as Al Raby and Dick Gregory, Alice learned just how 
much of an impact ordinary people could have. In the end, not only were 
the Willis Wagons shut down, but Superintendent Willis himself was 
removed as a result of the community's activities.
  This first protest opened a door for Alice, and she leapt through it 
with her characteristic enthusiasm. She fought housing discrimination 
in the Chicagoland area, and marched in support of open housing 
alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When Dr. King's Operation 
Breadbasket began operations in the Chicagoland area, Alice was 
intimately involved. She worked hand in hand with Rev. Jesse Jackson 
and Rev. James Bevel to eliminate discrimination and provide jobs for 
the disadvantaged.
  Within Operation Breadbasket, Alice started the Political Education 
Division. This branch of the organization trained thousands of students 
over a five-year period, teaching them how to organize citizens and 
lead political campaigns. After training a future generation of 
activists, Alice went even farther. She traveled to the southern United 
States, registering thousands of voters between Chicago and 
Mississippi.
  Later, she served as an essential staff member on many campaigns, 
including but not limited to such great leaders as Congressmen Abner 
Mikva and Jesse Jackson, Mayor Harold Washington, and President Jimmy 
Carter.
  In addition to her campaigning, Alice went on to serve as Director 
and Chief Lobbyist for the Black Illinois Legislative Lobby. In this 
role, she continued to work tirelessly to protect the civil rights of 
our citizens, and to promote the economic parity of minorities and the 
poor.
  Alice Tregay has impacted untold numbers of lives as an organizer, 
educator, and change maker. She gave a voice to those who are too 
frequently ignored. She provided the tools to engage and equip a new 
generation of activists. Many of her students continue to fight for her 
ideals, each and every day. On behalf of myself and the many 
individuals who have benefited from her activities, I extend my 
heartfelt thanks and love to Alice Tregay for all that she has done.