[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3982-H3983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF REVEREND JAMES LAWSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Molinaro). The Chair recognizes the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Reverend James Lawson, a pioneering civil rights activist whose 
enduring commitment to unity and nonviolence shaped our Nation. He was 
a beloved constituent of the 37th Congressional District.
  As a young missionary, Reverend Lawson traveled to India, where he 
studied under Mahatma Gandhi. It was during this trip that he developed 
his guiding philosophy of civil disobedience, one that would inspire a 
generation of activists.
  In the 1960s and 1970s, Reverend Lawson led nonviolent workshops with 
the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as the organization worked 
to desegregate the South. In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles and was 
named senior pastor of Holman United Methodist Church, also in my 
district, a largely Black congregation of 2,700. He preached for 25 
years, leaving an enormous impact on the south L.A. community.
  Reverend Lawson's visionary leadership changed the course of American 
history. At a time when tensions are escalating at home and abroad, his 
guidance will be deeply missed. He was a mentor to so many and a 
blessing to so many more.

  Please join me in honoring his legacy and the values that he 
championed during his lifetime.


         Honoring Basketball Legends Jerry West and Bill Walton

  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacies of 
two L.A. basketball legends, Jerry West and Bill Walton, who both 
changed the game in their own rights.
  Jerry West was a man of many names: The Logo, Mr. Clutch, Mr. 
Outside, and Zeke from Cabin Creek. He was also a man of many titles: 
player, coach, scout, and general manager, all for my Los Angeles 
Lakers.
  After a stellar college career in his home State, at West Virginia 
University, West was drafted second overall to the Lakers, beginning a 
career that would span over 40 years. As a player, West dominated the 
backcourt, garnering all-star honors in each of his 14 playing seasons 
and bringing home a championship in 1972.
  Upon his retirement, he came back to the Lakers as a head coach, then 
scout, and finally as an executive, where he truly thrived. West 
constructed the Lakers' 1980's Showtime dynasty, which helped bring the 
NBA into the mainstream, and won five championships.
  Toward the end of his tenure as general manager, he orchestrated the 
trade for Kobe and signed Shaq, leading to a championship in his final 
season with the Lakers and setting them up to complete a three-peat 
with two more in the following two seasons.
  While West later pursued other opportunities in the NBA, he will 
forever be a Los Angeles legend for his fierce loyalty and 
contributions to the team and our city.
  A California native, Bill Walton was recruited to UCLA by the 
illustrious John Wooden, where he went on to lead the Bruins to two 
consecutive 30-0 seasons and two NCAA championships, earning the honor 
of Naismith College Player of the Year three times. While I am a Trojan 
for life, I have to respect that.
  Walton then went on to have an equally impressive career in the NBA, 
leading the Portland Trail Blazers to their first title in 1977 and 
following up that season by taking home the NBA MVP. I won't go into 
further detail, but he did later win another title with a certain team 
from Massachusetts in 1986.
  Walton's entire career is a story of perseverance. Throughout his 
basketball career, he battled injuries to support his teams the best he 
could, and following his playing career, Walton overcame a stutter to 
become a celebrated broadcaster.
  After living all across the U.S., he never let the California free 
spirit in

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him wane. He was a committed antiwar advocate, devoted Deadhead, and he 
fought to preserve the PAC-12 until the end.
  Please join me in honoring the legacies of these two L.A. legends.

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