[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 30, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E907-E908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING BIG WILLIE ROBINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANICE HAHN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 30, 2012

  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Willie 
Andrew Robinson III, affectionately known in Los Angeles and around the 
world as ``Big Willie'' Robinson. Big Willie Robinson was the founder 
and president of the International and National Brotherhood of Street 
Racers. He passed away on May 19, 2012 and will be sorely missed by his 
fellow Viet Nam veterans and the countless people who found a new sense 
of purpose in life as a result of Big Willie's work in the greater Los 
Angeles community.
  Born on September 12, 1942 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Willie Robinson 
attended Louisiana State University in 1960 with the hope of playing 
football for the university. But because African-Americans were not yet 
allowed to play at LSU, Willie left after only one year to attend UCLA. 
Shortly after moving Willie found work in a Los Angeles area body shop. 
He bought his 1957 Oldsmobile, began street racing, and turned 
Louisiana's loss into Los Angeles's biggest gain.
  Drafted into the Army in 1964, Willie Robinson was one of the first 
African-Americans to serve in the Green Berets in Vietnam, which he did 
with honor until 1966. From the time he returned to Los Angeles late 
that year until his death, Big Willie's trademark beret, fatigues and 
Brotherhood colors were known worldwide.
  At 6'6'' and over 300 pounds, Big Willie's immense physical stature 
paled in comparison to his iconic stature as a peacemaker and truce-
broker among LA street gangs and people of all ethnic groups. Legendary 
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley respected Big Willie's work so much that 
in 1974 he helped Big Willie to open the Terminal Island Brotherhood 
Raceway, which hosted street races while promoting non-violence and 
racial unity for over two decades.
  Big Willie Robinson is one of the greatest ambassadors of hope and 
racial unity in this country during my lifetime. He was truly a God-
send, and it is entirely fitting that he chose to live out his life's 
mission in the City of Angels. May Heaven receive Big Willie

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Robinson with open arms and declare, ``Well done, good and faithful 
servant.''
  I extend my deepest condolences to his mother, Ms. Lula Mae Simmons, 
his sister Jean Davis, and his brother, Don Ray Robinson.

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