[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  A TRIBUTE TO AMELIA BOYNTON ROBINSON, CONGRESSMAN LOUIS STOKES, AND 
                              JULIAN BOND

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 2015

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor three civil rights 
legends: Ms. Amelia Boynton Robinson, Mr. Julian Bond, and my dear 
friend and mentor, Congressman Louis Stokes. Each a leader in his or 
her own right, these trailblazers laid the foundation we stand upon 
today.
   They paved the way for us and have inspired us to continue fighting 
for equality and justice. Because of them, we must do more.
   Ms. Boynton Robinson's legacy moves us to never stop fighting for 
voting rights. All Americans should have full access to the ballot box. 
The strength of our democracy rests upon the participation of every 
citizen.
   Mr. Bond's life's work commits us to striving for equality and full 
protection under the law for all Americans. Our country will never 
fulfill the promise of the land of the free and the home of the brave, 
if any citizen is denied justice and legal fairness.
   In honor of my dear friend Congressman Stokes, we will never stop 
advocating for our nation's most vulnerable. We must continue to give 
voice to the voiceless and work to ensure all Americans have access to 
the American Dream. It is our obligation to serve the best interests of 
the people of this country, whether a pauper or the populace.
   Mr. Speaker, we stand on the shoulders of giants. This great woman 
and these great men remind us why we stand here today and who we are 
here to represent. We thank them for their service and sacrifice, and 
pledge to continue to fight in honor of their legacies.
   In closing, I'd like to take a moment of personal privilege and 
thank my colleagues in the Ohio Delegation and the Congressional Black 
Caucus (CBC) for signing on to H.R. 427, a resolution honoring the life 
and legacy of Congressman Stokes. We currently have 57 co-sponsors on 
the bill.
   It is so important that the world knows who Congressman Stokes was 
and what he did. Congressman Stokes is etched in Ohio's history, and 
with this resolution will be firmly woven into the fabric of this great 
nation forever.

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