[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 157 (Monday, October 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1531-E1532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MALCOLM ``MAL'' BURNSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional leader and 
activist, who fought for equality and civil rights for many decades, 
Malcolm ``Mal'' Burnstein.
  Mal Burnstein was born in 1933 in Detroit, and faced heavy oppression 
and intolerance growing up as a Jewish man in the 1930's and 1940's. 
The difficulties Mal faced inspired him to be an advocate for civil 
rights. In the 1940's, Mal was very active in politics in his youth, 
and volunteered on quite a few campaigns. Some of the campaigns he 
volunteered for include Henry Wallace's campaign for president; Mennen 
Williams's campaign for governor; and Martha Griffith's campaign for 
Congress.
  Mal graduated with his law degree from Boalt Law School at UC 
Berkeley in 1958, and after law school, he pursued a fellowship in 
Europe and studied international law at the Sorbonne in Paris. He then 
clerked for a year under California Supreme Court Justice Thomas White.
  Mal's strong conviction to fight for civil rights and equality led 
him back to Europe for another fellowship, where he worked in Geneva,

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advocating for the cause of international human rights. In 1961, Mal 
began working for Robert Trehauft at the Trehauft firm, practicing 
labor law. The Trehauft firm soon disbanded, and Robert Treuhauft 
joined Doris Walker's firm, hiring Mal as the only associate.
  In 1962, Mal formed the Boatrackers Democratic Club, a group 
dedicated to representing civil rights demonstrators. The club is 
notable for defeating a recall proposed by conservative Berkeley 
citizens to recall the Berkeley School Board for racially integrating 
their Berkeley schools.
  Mal worked with the Free Speech Movement, the student protest that 
took place at UC Berkeley in 1964, when the Movement organizers sought 
legal representation from the Walker firm. Mal provided legal counsel 
for the Movement, and advised the Movement student organizers during 
negotiations with the school. Mal's admiration for student leadership 
and commitment to the Free Speech Movement proved vital during the 
trials of the 800 arrested students.
  Mal was also a member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and 
was one of its volunteer lawyers. He participated in CORE organized 
eat-ins, sit-ins, shops-ins, and picket protests. Such actions were 
instrumental in paving the way for diversification in workplaces around 
the East Bay.
  On a personal note, Mal has been a confidant, my lawyer, a mentor, 
and most importantly, a wonderful friend. I value his wise counsel and 
am always energized by his soaring spirit.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, I extend my sincerest congratulations to Malcolm ``Mal'' 
Burnstein.

                          ____________________