[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1391]
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. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three heroes of 
the Civil Rights Movement: Julian Bond, Amelia Boynton Robinson and 
Former Congressman Louis Stokes.
  My thoughts and prayers are with their families during this very 
difficult time.
  First let me thank Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., and Rep. Robin Kelly for 
organizing this Special Order and for their leadership in the 
Congressional Black Caucus. I have known Julian since the 1970s and 
most recently stood with him to remember the 50th anniversary of the 
Vietnam Peace Movement at the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in 
Washington, DC. As a cofounder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating 
Committee (SNCC), Julian galvanized young people to fight against 
segregation, march in the Civil Rights movement, and better the lives 
of all Americans.
  Julian dedicated his career to public service. After his work with 
SNCC, he served in the Georgia Legislature and as president of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). I 
know his legacy of tireless advocacy for equality and social justice 
will live on. It inspires me every day as we work to address inequality 
and reform our broken criminal justice system.
  I also rise to remember Amelia Boynton Robinson, a true hero of the 
Civil Rights Movement. Ms. Boynton Robinson was a trailblazer who 
championed civil rights and worked tirelessly for justice and equality. 
As one of the brave protestors at Selma, Amelia Boynton Robinson was 
brutally beaten in what would become known all around the world as 
``Bloody Sunday.'' Ms. Boynton Robinson, along with her fellow 
protestors, drew nationwide attention to the plight of African 
Americans and led us to the Voting Rights Act.
  Last but not least, I want to commemorate the life of Former 
Congressman Louis Stokes. Congressman Stokes was a wonderful mentor to 
me as a member of Congressman Ron Dellums' staff and later as a Member 
of Congress. Congressman Stokes grew up in Cleveland public housing and 
his childhood informed the policies he championed.
  He was the first African American Congressman to represent Ohio, one 
of the Founders of the Congressional Black Caucus and also the first 
African American to win a seat on the Appropriations committee, a 
committee on which I now sit. Congressman Stokes spent his 
congressional career fighting for the poor and the voiceless; he is a 
true American Hero.
  Mr. Speaker, it is because of the tireless advocacy of these leaders 
that we saw an end to legal segregation, the enactment of the voting 
rights act, and the election of so many African Americans to Congress.
  It was a great honor to count myself among the lives they touched. 
May the work they started continue until all forms of inequality are 
addressed.
  And may their spirits soar as their memories live on in our hearts.

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