[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 178 (Thursday, November 7, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING JOHN CONYERS

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember John James 
Conyers, Jr., of Detroit, MI, the longest serving Black Congressman in 
history and a champion for civil rights and social justice. Sadly, Mr. 
Conyers passed away last week at the age of 90. Mr. Conyers was 
passionate about serving his country and his constituents, always 
fighting for those without a voice.
  Mr. Conyers was born in Detroit, MI on May 16, 1929, to John and 
Lucille Conyers. After graduating from Northwestern High School, Mr. 
Conyers worked as a welder for Lincoln automotive while attending Wayne 
State University. He served in the Michigan National Guard before 
enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, where he served as a 
second lieutenant. After 4 years of service, he was honorably 
discharged and returned to Wayne State University to obtain his 
bachelor's degree in 1957 and his law degree in 1958.
  In 1958, Mr. Conyers continued his life of service as a legal aide to 
Representative John Dingell, Jr., of Detroit. He then ran for Congress 
in 1964 and for the next 53 years, represented metro Detroit in a 
career full of many historic firsts for civil rights and the Black 
community.
  Mr. Conyers was on the frontlines of the civil rights movement. He 
was a cosponsor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and worked with Martin 
Luther King, Jr., in Selma, AL to advocate for equal rights. In 1967, 
during the civil unrest in Detroit, Mr. Conyers was in the streets, 
encouraging peace and an end to the rioting. After the tragic 
assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968, Mr. Conyers 
introduced legislation to forever remember Dr. King's legacy with a 
Federal holiday. He reintroduced his bill every session until it was 
signed into law in 1983. He also hired civil rights legend Rosa Parks 
to work in his Detroit office, where she stayed for over 20 years.
  In Congress, Mr. Conyers was a founding member of the Congressional 
Black Caucus. He also served on and was chairman of the House Oversight 
Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. By the end of his service, 
he was the longest serving African-American Congressman in history, as 
well as the dean of the House of Representatives.
  As an activist, trailblazer, and leader, Mr. Conyers will be greatly 
missed across Michigan, as he touched the lives of many people 
throughout Michigan. Mr. Conyers is survived by his wife of 29 years, 
Monica, and his two sons, John and Carl.
  Mr. President, I cannot express enough the impact Mr. John Conyers, 
Jr., had on the city of Detroit and the State of Michigan. He was a 
pillar of our community and a model of humble leadership. His passion 
and tenacity will be missed. However, I am confident his legacy will 
continue to inspire others to serve and fight for justice and equality 
for all.

                          ____________________