[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 118 (Friday, July 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1238-E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. VINCENT HARDING

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Dr. Vincent Harding. Known throughout the country 
as a scholar, activist, father, friend and former speechwriter for 
Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Harding has left an 
indelible mark on our national discourse. With his passing on May 19, 
2014, we look to the outstanding quality of his life's work and the 
inspiring role he played in the Civil Rights Movement.
  Born on July 25, 1931 in Harlem, New York, Dr. Vincent Harding began 
his education by attending New York public schools, graduating from 
Morris High School in 1948. After high school, he obtained a Bachelor 
of Arts degree in History from the City College of New York, and in the 
following year, he graduated from Columbia University, earning a 
Master's degree in Journalism. Dr. Harding went on to serve our country 
in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955.
  In 1958, Dr. Harding met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who urged him to 
move to the South to join in the Civil Rights Movement. Once in 
Atlanta, Dr. Harding and his wife, Rosemarie, founded the Mennonite 
House, an interracial service center and began engaging in a wide 
variety of social and political campaigns. Dr. Harding worked closely 
with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Student 
Nonviolent Coordination Committee to challenge segregation in the 
South.
  As Dr. Martin Luther King's speechwriter, Dr. Vincent Harding drafted 
the famous and highly controversial speech, ``Beyond Vietnam: A Time to 
Break Silence.'' Dr. Vincent Harding was a strong opponent to the 
Vietnam War and, as Chair of the History and Sociology Department at 
Atlanta's Spelman College, Dr. Harding was concerned that students were 
not aware of the situation in Vietnam. He worked to ensure that 
students and other Americans were aware of the atrocities occurring 
during the war in Vietnam.
  Dr. Vincent Harding founded the Veterans of Hope Project in 1997, 
which is a multifaceted educational initiative encompassing the topics 
of religion, culture and participatory democracy. His work through 
Veterans of Hope emphasized the importance of nonviolence and a grass 
root approach to social change.
  After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, Dr. 
Vincent Harding worked with Coretta Scott King to establish the King 
Center in Atlanta, serving as the Center's first director. In addition, 
Dr. Vincent Harding wrote several books reflecting on the Civil Rights 
Movement and Martin Luther King Jr., including ``Martin Luther King: 
The Inconvenient Hero'' and ``Hope and History: Why We Must Share the 
Story of the Movement.'' Dr. Harding was deeply passionate about public 
service and impacted countless lives with his theology, activism and 
scholarly efforts. Dr. Harding once wrote that ``we are all a part of 
one another, and we are all part of the intention of the great creator 
spirit to continue being light and life.''
  On a personal note, Dr. Harding was a loyal friend for over 30 years. 
During the late 1970's, I worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Ron 
Dellums while raising two sons as a single parent. My sons wanted to 
attend the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, but we did not have a place to 
stay. A mutual friend called Vincent and Rosemarie to ask if we could 
stay with them. With no hesitation, they said yes, not knowing me and 
on short notice. I will always remember that weekend in their 
beautiful, warm home and their delicious meals. They treated us like 
family and our spirits connected. I did not see Vincent and Rosemarie 
again until the late 1990's when, as a Member of Congress, I attended a 
retreat in Santa Barbara sponsored by the Faith and Politics Institute. 
The Harding's led this retreat, which renewed my spirit, challenged my 
intellect and warmed my heart.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding Civil Rights leader and social activist, Dr. Vincent 
Harding. His dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives 
throughout the nation. I join all of Vincent's loved ones in 
celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

[[Page E1239]]



                          ____________________