[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




STATEMENT HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER 
                           CORETTA SCOTT KING

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to the life of an American icon, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. After 
living a remarkably accomplished life that spanned 78 years, Coretta 
Scott King passed away on Monday, January 30, 2006.
  As the matriarch of the civil rights movement, Coretta Scott King 
displayed dignity and strength in time of great tragedy and injustice. 
After Dr. King's assassination, she continued his legacy promoting 
racial and economic justice for all Americans. Mrs. King was determined 
to make his dream a reality. As Americans, and as human beings, we are 
blessed to have known her compassion and dedication.
  Coretta Scott King and I traveled to South Africa in 1994 for Nelson 
Mandela's inauguration. I am proud to say that she was a friend and 
confidant as well as one of my greatest mentors. I regard Mrs. King as 
one of the finest individuals I have known. I will continue to hold her 
spirit and strength close to my heart.
  It has been said that the ultimate measure of a person's life is the 
extent to which they made the world a better place. Coretta Scott 
King's work has forever shaped the way we treat each other as human 
beings. Though her passing marks the end of an era, it is up to all of 
us to continue the compassion that her husband preached and she so 
graciously followed.

                          ____________________