[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MOURNING THE LOSS OF JOE MADISON, ``THE BLACK EAGLE''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2024

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the other week, we lost a great American, 
renowned civil rights activist, and legendary radio host: Joe Madison. 
He passed away on January 31 at age 74. Some knew Joe as `the Judge' 
who would hear out his callers and guests even if they had different 
views but cut them off if they tried to spread misinformation. Others 
knew him as `the Black Eagle'--his longtime radio nickname. I had the 
pleasure of knowing him as a friend and as a crucial member of the 
local community. Regardless of how we knew Joe, however, we all 
recognized him for who he was: a man of supreme integrity, character, 
and intellect.
  The airwaves defined Joe's life, and Joe's life defined the airwaves. 
From the start of his radio career as a DJ for the campus station at 
Washington University in St. Louis to its end on SiriuxXM's Urban View 
with a daily listenership in the tens of millions, Joe captivated his 
listeners. They knew they could trust Joe. He made a point never to 
violate that trust.
  Joe understood both the nuances of radio as a medium and its power to 
change minds and change the country. Before his radio career took off, 
Joe was a leading figure in the Detroit chapter of the NAACP. He was 
only 24 when he became executive director of the Detroit branch of the 
organization--the youngest person in history to hold the position. 
Never losing sight of his roots in advocacy, Joe used his platform on 
the radio to highlight the most pressing challenges of the day, 
especially those facing the Black community. His perspective was 
invaluable in an era when conservative talk radio dominated the 
airwaves.
  Throughout his life, Joe proved to be a powerful force for change 
both on and off the air, always asking his famous question. `What are 
you going to do about it?' He posed that question not only to others 
but to himself. In 2001, he was arrested for protesting human rights 
abuses in Sudan. Breaking records with a 52-hour long broadcast in 
2015, Joe raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the new 
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He 
went on a 73-day hunger strike in 2021 to protest Republicans' 
legislative blockade of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis 
Voting Rights Advancement Act.
  I saw his passionate advocacy firsthand when we worked together on 
the historic Emmett Till Antilynching Act. Joe and I, along with many 
others, were frustrated that America still lacked a law that made 
lynching a federal crime more than a century after the idea was first 
proposed. During the 116th Congress, we worked with Rep. Bobby Rush and 
then-Representative Karen Bass to rectify that failure. After 
Republicans blocked the bill's passage in 2020, we renewed our push in 
the 117th Congress. At long last, President Biden signed the Emmett 
Till Antilynching Act into law on March 29, 2022. It wouldn't have been 
possible without Joe Madison. Joe's work on the bill and on a variety 
of other causes over the years drew the admiration of millions. 
Listeners were excited to tune in every day and guests were eager to 
come on Joe's show because they knew the commentary and conversation 
would be just as meaningful as his principled advocacy.
  Whether discussing the opportunities that the new FBI consolidated 
headquarters will create for Greenbelt, Democrats' efforts to address 
inflation, or my longstanding work to protect voting rights, I had the 
pleasure of coming on Joe's show many times over the years to talk 
about critical issues in Maryland's Fifth District and beyond. Many 
other leaders sought out these meaningful conversations with Joe, from 
former President Barack Obama to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. He 
inspired each of his guests--and each of his listeners--to reflect more 
deeply on their principles, their politics, and their perspectives.
  Mr. Speaker, Joe's voice was defined not by its earthy baritone but 
by its moral clarity and commitment to truth. Like so many others 
across the country and around the world, I will miss hearing it crackle 
through the radio in the morning. Joe may be gone, but the question he 
posed to his listeners remains: `What are you going to do about it?' 
Although he can no longer ask us that question, we can still answer.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer my prayers to Joe's incredible wife of 47 years, 
Sherry; his three daughters, Monesha Madison Lever, Shawna Collins and 
Michelle Borleske; his son, Jason Madison; his four half-siblings; his 
five grandchildren; and his great-granddaughter. I ask that all my 
colleagues join me in wishing them strength and in mourning Joe 
Madison--a titan of the airwaves. May God bless and keep Joe Madison.

                          ____________________