[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE ANDERSON-DREW FAMILY REUNION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, family reunions are an integral 
part of African American life, especially given the fact that many 
families were separated at will during slavery and has continued 
throughout history in this country. Of course, reunions are a way of 
staying intact or of being reconnected in a manner which promotes unit, 
camaraderie and continuation.
  On August 4-6, the Anderson-Drew Families will hold their reunion in 
Chicago, Illinois, a city founded by an African American, Jean Baptiste 
Point DeSable, a trapper and settler. It has been home to many world 
famous and internationally known African Americans such as Mahalia 
Jackson, Lou Rawls, Minnie Minoso, John Hope Franklin, John H. Johnson, 
Michael Jordan, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Oprah Winfrey and Mayor 
Harold Washington. Being able to concretely trace one's family back to 
1876, which was the year that the compromise surrounding the selection 
of Rutherford B. Hayes to become President of the U.S. and the removal 
of Federal troops from the South is indeed commendable and noteworthy 
in and of itself.
  I take this opportunity to express and convey how valuable it is for 
families to remain in constant contact with each other and how much it 
means for the family to function as a unit. Strong families make strong 
communities, strong communities make cities, strong cities make strong 
states and strong states make strong nations.
  Our Nation is strong because of families like yours. I salute you, 
commend you on the occasion of your re-union and welcome you to 
Chicago. Unfortunately, I will not be able to join you because on 
Friday, August 4th and Saturday, August, 5th, I will be in Detroit, 
Michigan attending my family reunion and the next week on the 8th and 
9th, I will be in Greenwood, MS, visiting with other family members 
(the Glass family).
  Enjoy your family and keep it strong.

                          ____________________