[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS' LIFE AND LEGACY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of the late Congressman John Conyers and to extend my 
deepest condolences to his wife, Monica, his family, children, former 
staff, and the people of Detroit, who he served so well for more than 
50 years.
  Congressman Conyers was a tireless advocate for racial and economic 
justice and an ardent defender of civil rights. We all owe him a debt 
of gratitude for his unwavering commitment to pushing our Nation to 
live up to its ideals of liberty and justice for all. That is his 
legacy.
  I met Congressman Conyers during my time as a staffer to our beloved 
late Congressman Ron Dellums, who was also a cofounder of the 
Congressional Black Caucus with Congressman Conyers. They were very 
close friends and worked together on many issues, including the 
establishment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal holiday. I always 
remember staffing the many meetings with Ron, Congressman Conyers, and 
the legendary Stevie Wonder, who worked with us as we planned our 
outside-inside strategy for the holiday legislation. And it worked.
  John believed in our democracy and the power of the people. He 
recognized that the only way democracy can work is with the input, 
vision, and voice of the people.
  Congressman Conyers stood on the front lines of the fight for so many 
important issues during his time in office, and he was cosponsor of the 
Voting Rights Act of 1965. I probably wouldn't be standing here as a 
Member of Congress had it not been for Congressman Conyers.
  As a cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus, he focused the 
Nation's attention on racial inequality and injustices faced by African 
Americans around the country, from inequity in education, to poverty, 
to mass incarceration. He stood up for those who needed his advocacy 
the most.
  Of course, when Rosa Parks fell on hard times after refusing to give 
up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus, in what launched the civil 
rights movement, John hired her to work in his district office in 
Detroit, where she worked until she retired in 1988.
  For more than 30 years, he fought for H.R. 40, the Commission to 
Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, which 
calls for a commission to study reparations for descendants of enslaved 
people from Africa.
  Congressman Conyers, Chairman Conyers, he was masterful, drawing a 
connection between the historical injustices faced by African Americans 
and the present-day inequities experienced in our communities.
  I am so proud to support H.R. 40 today and to continue his work. In 
his honor, I hope that my colleagues support Congresswoman Sheila 
Jackson Lee's efforts to take H.R. 40 over the finish line.
  Congressman Conyers was a progressive champion who fought for all of 
us. He was an early supporter of single-payer healthcare. I believe the 
bill was H.R. 676, which I was proud to cosponsor.
  He fought to ensure that every American has access to quality, 
affordable healthcare. He fought to protect our safety net so that 
folks who needed a helping hand, no matter their color, can keep a roof 
over their heads and food on the table.
  He spoke out vocally against the Trump administration's attacks on 
civil rights and human rights for people of color and the LGBTQ 
community. Indeed, though Congressman Conyers represented Detroit, he 
truly fought for all Americans and earned his affectionate name of 
``America's Congressman.''

  Also, John formed the Poor People's Caucus in the House, where he 
encouraged Members to speak out for the poor and low-income folks.
  In his memory, let us fight for the most vulnerable Americans. Like 
our friend, Congressman Elijah Cummings, who we recently lost as well, 
Congressman Conyers' legacy and impact will live on, though he is no 
longer with us. His legacy should continue to inspire us to keep up the 
fight for justice and equality, which he dedicated his life to.
  Mr. Speaker, so today, once again, I offer my condolences to Monica, 
to Congressman Conyers' family and loved ones, and join them in 
celebrating his life and legacy. May he rest in peace, and may he rest 
in power.

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