[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 198 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     THE LEGACY OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS, JR.--DEAN OF THE HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2017

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I notified Speaker Ryan, Leader 
Pelosi and Governor Snyder of my retirement from the United States 
House of Representatives.
  It has been a privilege and an honor to serve the citizens of 
Detroit, Michigan as their United States Congressman in the 13th and 
14th Congressional District for more than 50 years.
  I came to Congress in 1965. Since then, I have devoted my entire 
career to improving the lives of my constituents in Detroit and 
fighting for justice everywhere. These years witnessed a profound 
evolution in civil rights, led by millions in the streets who marched 
for justice, and people of conscience in the Congress--both Democrats 
and Republicans--who heard them and enacted the Civil Rights Act, the 
Voting Rights Act and other landmark reforms.
  I have been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, I have 
been a champion of justice for the oppressed and the disenfranchised. I 
have never wavered in my commitment to justice and democracy. I am 
proud to have been part of that rich history.
  I have been privileged to be a founder of the Congressional Black 
Caucus and to represent the United States Congress as Dean. I 
spearheaded and passed the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Act, the 
Violence Against Women Act, the Hate Crimes Act, the USA Freedom Act, 
and the extensions of the Voting Rights Act into law. I have led the 
fight against mandatory minimum sentences, hoping to reverse the 
devastating incarceration rates for African Americans and poor people, 
I have tried to pass a universal healthcare law (H.R. 676) every 
Congress since 1989. I have introduced H.R. 40 to study reparations for 
slavery, and I deeply appreciate those handful of courageous colleagues 
who have joined me.
  For Detroiters, I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish by 
bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in critical grants and federal 
funding to Southeast Michigan to revitalize our great city, attract 
rich talent, and return us to prosperity.
  I vehemently deny any and all allegations of harassment or dishonor, 
but I recognize that in this present environment, due process will not 
be afforded to me. I was taught by a great woman, my mother, to honor 
women. The first employee I ever hired was Mrs. Rosa Parks, who worked 
in my office for 22 years. It has been a great honor to work alongside 
some of the most talented and honorable staff on Capitol Hill and in 
Detroit, both women and men.
  Given the totality of the circumstance of not being afforded the 
right to due process, in conjunction with my current health condition, 
and to preserve my legacy and good name, I am retiring.
  I hope that my retirement will be viewed in the larger perspective of 
my record of service, and as I enter a new chapter, I pledge to 
continue my commitment to a progressive vision and a better future for 
this country that I love. I owe that to the legacy of my father, John 
Conyers, Sr., who integrated labor unions in this country; to my 
brother Nathan, who integrated business and is my ``main man'' and to 
my loving wife Monica, my sons John III, whom I believe offers hope to 
this generation of leadership, and who is committed to being an 
advocate of fairness and justice for all, and Carl Edward who never 
leaves my side.
  I cannot allow the great work of this body or the important work or 
the goals of the Democratic Party to be distracted. It has been the 
greatest honor and privilege of my life to represent the people of 
Michigan in the House of Representatives, but that responsibility will 
now fall to my colleagues and my successor. They have my deepest 
support and prayers. Jobs, Justice, Peace.

                          ____________________