[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        HONORING MR. BOBBY SEALE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 22, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Bobby Seale on the 
momentous occasion of his 80th birthday. Mr. Seale has had an 
incredible career in political activism and community service, 
dedicating his life to advocating for the rights and betterment of 
African-Americans across the nation.
  Born in Texas in 1936, Mr. Seale grew up entrenched in poverty. After 
moving around in Texas, living in Dallas, San Antonio, and Port Arthur, 
Mr. Seale's family finally relocated to Oakland, California, when Mr. 
Seale was eight years old.
  Mr. Seale attended Berkeley High School, where he started to become 
politically active. In 1955, Mr. Seale dropped out of high school and 
joined the United States Air Force. After his military service, Mr. 
Seale worked as a sheet metal mechanic while earning his high school 
diploma at night.
  After earning his high school diploma, Mr. Seale went on to attend 
Merritt College, where he intended to study engineering. However, 
during his time at Merritt College, he began to take a deep interest in 
politics and black history, and joined the Afro-American Association 
(AAA), a campus group advocating for black separatism. It was through 
the AAA that Mr. Seale met Mr. Huey P. Newton, a kindred spirit. They 
quickly became friends and their political activism deepened as they 
were inspired by the teachings of Malcolm X.
  During this time, Mr. Seale was also inspired to give back to his 
community, spending time teaching youths about black history and 
personal responsibility at the North Oakland Neighborhood Anti-Poverty 
Center.
  By October 1966, Mr. Seale and Mr. Newton were ready to organize 
their beliefs and put them into practice, and they formed the Black 
Panther Party for Self-Defense. Originally formed to protect the 
African-American community in Oakland from police brutality, the Black 
Panthers rejected the nonviolent approach of the mainstream Civil 
Rights Movement. The Black Panthers also focused on serving the 
community, cooking free breakfast for children before school, 
distributing clothing, and teaching classes on politics and economics.
  A few years later, in 1970, Mr. Seale was arrested in Chicago during 
a protest at the Democratic National Convention, and he was ultimately 
sentenced to four years in prison for contempt of court. After his 
release from prison in 1973, Mr. Seale renounced violence as a means to 
an end and decided to run for Mayor of Oakland. He finished second out 
of nine candidates.
  In 1974, Mr. Seale resigned as Chairman of the Black Panther Party, 
having grown tired of politics. He has remained active in the 
community, writing books and working to improve social services and 
educational opportunities in black neighborhoods.
  On a personal note, I am deeply grateful for ``the Chairman's'' 
brilliance and leadership. He was a mentor, a colleague, but most 
importantly, a true friend. My late beloved mother, Ms. Mildred Massey, 
was one of Bobby's strongest supporters and believed in him and the 
Black Panther Party as the ``vanguard of the movement.'' He taught us 
the importance of grassroots organizing by knocking on doors, walking 
precincts, and phone banking to communicate our position on issues and 
most importantly, how to be a true public servant.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District celebrates the 
extraordinary life and service of Mr. Bobby Seale and wishes him a very 
happy birthday and a life that continues to be filled with peace and 
happiness and fulfilled by the great work and leadership he continues 
to provide.

                          ____________________