[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18661]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING THE REVEREND CHARLES WILLIAMS FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP

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                           HON. JULIA CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 2003

  Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to take the 
opportunity to recognize Reverend Charles Williams for his exceptional 
leadership. Indiana Black Expo celebrates 33 years of extraordinary 
service in Indiana, the last 20 under the dynamic leadership of 
Reverend Williams. Reverend Williams' work dates back to the late 
1970's when he was special assistant to the Mayor of Indianapolis. 
During that time he was responsible for creating and organizing the 
first city-wide Black History Month Celebration. In addition, he was 
very vocal in making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a legal 
holiday in Indianapolis, and organized and promoted the first Annual 
Indianapolis Jazz Festival.
  In the early 1980's Reverend Charles Williams became president of 
Indiana Black Expo, Inc and Founder of Circle City Classics, Inc. 
Throughout various entities, Reverend Williams promotes harmony among 
people of all races. He was instrumental in raising public awareness 
about prostate cancer when he discovered he had become a victim and 
that it was in advanced stages. Although he has extensive knowledge 
about health issues he had neglected to follow his own advice.
  In his book entitled, ``That Black Men Might Live,'' Reverend 
Williams uses his own personal battle against cancer to address the 
important, but often neglected, issues of Black men and prostate 
cancer. It is particularly important to African American men, a segment 
at special risk for the disease. They have the highest rate of prostate 
cancer in the world. In fact, the incidence rate in African Americans 
is 60 percent higher than in white males and double the mortality rate, 
according to a report done by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition.
  He encourages men to get early and regular physical exams to prevent 
or detect the disease while in its early stages. We must join Reverend 
Williams in this mission to save humanity. Reverend Williams exudes the 
type of leadership that is both rich and rare. He is worthy of high 
praise.

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