[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 80 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3308-S3309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING FRED CURLS

 Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I ask the Senate to join me 
today in honoring the life and achievements of Fred Curls, who passed 
away on May 15, 2015. Fred was a dear friend and fought tirelessly to 
promote political and economic empowerment for African Americans. Fred 
was one of a kind, and will be remembered as a man committed to 
improving the lives of others and his community.
  Fred was born in Kansas City, KS and grew up in both Kansas City and 
Norwata, OK. He was a member of the first class of graduates from 
Lincoln High School in Kansas City. In 1952, Fred began a career in 
real estate and opened his own business, Curls & Associates in 1954. He 
became the first African-American licensed real estate appraiser in 
Kansas City.
  Based on his own experiences with discrimination in the workplace, 
Fred wanted something better for himself and his children. He became a 
pioneer for civil and political rights and was the last surviving 
founder of Freedom, Inc., one of the oldest and most active political 
organizations in the country. In 1962, he and four other influential 
leaders in Kansas City founded the organization with the belief that 
the primary way to get equal treatment was through the ballot box and 
the inception of a political party. The group helped give African 
Americans in Kansas City and throughout Missouri political power and 
strength by registering voters, backing civil rights efforts, and 
elevating candidates to elected office at the local, State and Federal 
level.
  Throughout his life, Fred received numerous awards and commendations. 
He most recently received the Legacy Award from Jackson County and was 
inducted into the Missouri Walk of Fame. Several of Fred's own children 
and grandchildren have been involved in State and local politics 
including his late son Phil, who was a Missouri State senator, his 
daughter-in-law Melba who is a councilwoman in Kansas City, and his 
granddaughter Kiki, who is a Missouri State senator.
  Fred had seven children over two marriages to Velma Wagner Curls and 
Bernice Curls Church. Three of his children preceded him in death. 
Millicent Curls Sillimon, Garland Michael Curls, and Senator Phillip 
Burnell Curls. He is survived by his children Janice Curls Parker, 
Darwin Lenard Curls, Dr. Karen Elaine Curls, Darrell Dwain Curls, 22 
grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
  To countless residents of my State and across the country, Fred Curls 
is a

[[Page S3309]]

hero. He witnessed first-hand the harsh consequences of racial 
inequality and chose to devote his life to ending that injustice. Fred 
is an inspiration to so many Americans, across all racial lines, and to 
me personally. Because of leaders like him, who fought and sacrificed 
but ultimately believed in our country's ability to empathize and 
change, we are all better off and our lives more enriched. Fred left an 
indelible and permanent mark on Kansas City and will be fondly 
remembered and dearly missed. Fred's life and commitment to empower 
black voters serves as an inspiration to me and to all Missourians.
  I ask that the Senate join me in honoring the life and legacy of Fred 
Curls.

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