[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17333-17334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF REV. DR. NELSON ``FUZZY'' THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 
achievements of Reverend Doctor Nelson ``Fuzzy'' Thompson, a minister, 
humanitarian, community activist, and a resident of the Fifth District 
of Missouri, which I am honored to represent. This week, Rev. Thompson 
is to be inducted into the Missouri Walk of Fame during a reception as 
part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative 
Conference, an event held to honor the achievements of African-
Americans who have made significant contributions to Missouri.
  Rev. Thompson graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, 
Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and received a Master 
of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at St. Paul School of Theology.
  Rev. Thompson's reputation as a community leader extends beyond the 
local or national level, but is inclusive of the international 
community. He was one of 22 U.S. ministers that traveled to South 
Africa on a fact finding educational exchange, at the request of Bishop 
Desmond Tutu, President Nelson Mandela, and the South African Council 
of Churches. ``Fuzzy,'' as he is affectionately known, was one of three 
U.S. ministers to conduct Easter services for U.S. hostages held in 
Tehran, Iran in 1980. He was also one of 17 U.S. ministers and 
activists who served as official observers for the first election ever 
held in South Africa that allowed the right to vote to all races. He 
said it was a humbling experience seeing people lining up the night 
before and standing for blocks in order to exercise their right to vote 
for the first time.
  ``Fuzzy'' is currently President of the Kansas City Chapter of the 
Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He has served on multiple 
boards, including as Chairman of the Nominating Committee for Freedom 
Incorporated and as a member for the Black Adoption Program and 
Services, and Human Rights Commission of Kansas City, Missouri.
  For those reasons and more, it is indeed an honor and privilege to 
recognize ``Rev. Fuzzy'' at the Missouri Walk of Fame reception, hosted 
by myself and fellow Missourian, U.S. Representative Wm. Lacy Clay of 
St. Louis.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our appreciation to 
Reverend Dr. Nelson Thompson and his endless commitment to serving the 
residents of the State of Missouri. He is a true role model not just to 
the African-American community in Missouri, but to the entire community 
at large. May his success serve as a stepping stone for many other 
African-Americans eager to be just as successful in their endeavors. 
While it is but a small acknowledgement for all of the work he has 
done, it is a heartfelt gesture, taking strength from the many lives he 
has touched in our hometown.
    

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