[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 19 (Friday, January 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING MATT LITTLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 31, 2014

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Matt Little who 
passed away on Sunday at the age of 92. Mr. Little was an extraordinary 
man of leadership, integrity, and determination. His achievements in 
the civil rights movement will have a lasting impact on the citizens of 
Minnesota and the United States.
  Mr. Little was born in August 1921 in North Carolina to a factory 
worker and homemaker. Graduating from North Carolina A&T University in 
1948, he served 3\1/2\ years in the military during the Second World 
War in an all-black infantry regiment.
  Upon his arrival to the Twin Cities, Mr. Little quickly realized that 
racism was a prevalent barrier to everything from job opportunities to 
housing. African-Americans could not stay at major hotels, and could 
only buy houses in certain neighborhoods.
  Mr. Little found work in the post office, and started a landscaping 
business. After being denied a firefighter position due to race, he was 
part of a federal lawsuit to integrate the Minneapolis Fire Department. 
Mr. Little joined the NAACP in 1954 where he ultimately became 
president of his chapter and president of the Minnesota NAACP.
  His civil rights accomplishments are plentiful. Mr. Little was 
prominent in supporting the integration of Minnesota public schools. He 
led the Minnesota delegation to participate in the March on Washington. 
He fought hard for fair housing laws in the state legislature. He 
helped create the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission. He was a leading 
influence in the hiring of former Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Dennis 
Green, one of the pioneering African-American head coaches in franchise 
history.
  Mr. Little also believed strongly in civic participation. He was 
elected four times as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 
five times to Minnesota's State Executive Committee, and four times as 
an elector to cast one of the state's 10 electoral votes for U.S. 
President. In 2008, when he watched President Obama being sworn in, he 
said, ``There are no words to describe this feeling. I waited all of my 
life, and now I've seen it happen in my lifetime.''
  Even in his later years, Mr. Little continued to be involved in the 
community. He maintained his column ``Little by Little'' featured in 
the Minnesota-Spokesman-Recorder, and was a fan of seniors tennis.
  A man of grace and respect, Mr. Little held a pragmatic perspective 
in tackling racial inequality believing it was an issue that simply 
needed solving. Matt Little was a political inspiration for many, and I 
am proud to have known him in my lifetime. He will always be remembered 
as a relentless civil rights champion, a fervent public speaker, and a 
Minnesota icon. A truly exceptional leader, I believe if we live by 
Matt Little's actions, our country will be better for it for 
generations to come.