[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 58 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REVEREND JOSEPH ELLWANGER

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the exceptional 
career and life of Rev. Joseph Ellwanger. Reverend Ellwanger is a 
pillar of the Milwaukee community and has left an indelible mark on the 
lives of so many. From his early career as a pastor in Alabama standing 
with civil rights leaders, to his ongoing work to reintegrate formerly 
incarcerated people into their home communities, Rev. Joseph Ellwanger 
has put into action his faith to affirm all people.
  Reverend Ellwanger was born in St Louis, MO, but grew up in Selma, 
AL. He left his childhood home when St. Paul Lutheran Church, an 
African-American congregation in Birmingham, requested a pastoral 
candidate. During his time with St. Paul's he joined the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference's fight for civil rights. Reverend 
Ellwanger attended civil rights meetings and eventually received an 
invitation to meet with the SCLC's steering committee, where he met Dr. 
Martin Luther King. Reverend Ellwanger was the lone White pastor to 
join the movement, and he stood undeterred by challenges from his 
conservative denomination. He recruited both students and clergy to 
join with him in the civil rights movement. On March 6, 1965, the day 
before Bloody Sunday, Ellwanger led a group of 72 White Alabamians to 
Selma to participate in the Concerned White Citizens march supporting 
voting rights for African-Americans.
  Reverend Ellwanger joined the National Council of Christian Churches 
and met with President Lyndon Johnson after Bloody Sunday. This meeting 
brought together a group of clergymen from a broad spectrum of 
denominations to communicate to President Johnson that the religious 
community supported the Voting Rights Act.
  Reverend Ellwanger's work for equal justice has been ongoing. From 
Alabama, he moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he was a Lutheran pastor for 
decades. He continues to work for voting rights and is a founding 
member of Project RETURN to help individuals who have experienced 
incarceration make a positive, permanent return to community, family, 
and friends.
  As Reverend Ellwanger celebrates his 90th birthday, I am pleased to 
join others in recognizing the contributions he has made to the people 
of Milwaukee, our State, and our Nation.

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