[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF MEL REEVES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a long-time 
civil rights activist, journalist, and my friend, Mel Reeves who passed 
away at the age of 64 from COVID-19 complications.
  Born in Miami, Florida, he was the youngest of 13 children and was 
adopted at the age of one. Bullied at a young age, Reeves grew up 
standing up for others and being an outspoken advocate for marginalized 
communities. Later in life he attended Northwestern College in Iowa, 
then moved to Minneapolis where he devoted his life to advocating for 
social justice.
  Mel Reeves was a journalist for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorded 
newspaper and never shied away from elevating the truth. He was a 
devoted and passionate man with a fighting spirit, always ready to 
support his community advocating for justice and accountability. Reeves 
did not just write about the many injustices happening around him, such 
as the horrific murders of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, he used his 
voice and platform to encourage the community to never stop fighting 
for justice.
  As a community leader, he advocated for racial justice, education 
reform, the working class and more recently the need to protect oneself 
from the pandemic by wearing a mask and getting vaccinated.
  Reeves is survived by his son Kellen Reeves and five grandchildren.
  Rest in peace, friend. I thank him for inspiring many to speak up for 
justice.

                          ____________________