[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 36 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E284-E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF CHARLES EDWARD DuBOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 2016

  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor the 90th birthday 
of my friend and mentor, Charles Edward DuBois.
  Charlie was born to Vernon and Edna DuBois in New Jersey on February 
26, 1926 and raised with his three siblings during the Depression by 
his loving parents.

[[Page E285]]

  Young Charlie showed a fighting spirit from early in life, and 
learned his values at his father's knee, including when W.E.B. DuBois 
(no relation) would stop by his home to argue and discuss issues of 
race and justice. Now four generations of the DuBois family have 
dedicated themselves to lifting up working people.
  Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 and served honorably in the 
Pacific theatre. After returning from the war, Charlie often provided 
security services for those speaking out and demanding social change, 
including Paul Robeson, Hortensia Bussi and Angela Davis.
  Charlie moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he met and married 
his wife, Viki. They both worked at Kaiser Permanente for years. He and 
Viki were blessed with two sons.
  Charlie and Viki were organizers and leaders of Black Women United 
(which evolved into Black Women and Men during the 1970s). Through 
these organizations, they fought (among other things) for criminal 
justice reform. These groups also worked to support those who were 
incarcerated, helping their families during the time they were in 
prison, and working to aid their adjustment when they returned to the 
community.
  Charlie often mentored youth in the justice movement, and he was 
instrumental in my own decision to pursue medical training as an 
effective way of seeking change and providing service to others.
  I would like to salute Charles Edward DuBois for his longstanding 
commitment to serving others and for remaining true to his principles 
throughout his long life.

                          ____________________