[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15786]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF GEORGE L. FORBES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 2009

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of George L. 
Forbes and in recognition of his deep commitment to country and 
community. George L. Forbes is being honored today with a Lifetime 
Achievement Award from the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People (NAACP). For 17 years, Mr. Forbes has served as 
President of the NAACP, and helped support their mission of ``ensuring 
the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of 
all persons'' and eliminating racial discrimination in our country.
  George Forbes has committed his life to serving and helping others. 
He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953. He 
taught social studies in the Cleveland public school system while 
completing his own education. In 1964, George was elected to the 
Cleveland City Council and his impressive career in public service 
included being Majority Leader of Cleveland City Council, Co-Chairman 
of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, and the longest serving City 
Council President in the city's history. In 1971 George co-founded 
Cleveland's first black-owned law firm, Forbes, Fields, & Associates 
Co. L.P.A.
  The NAACP is not the first to bestow high honors on this remarkable 
man. His vocation for bettering the lives of those around him has 
earned him recognition from the Black Affairs Council, Cleveland State 
University Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, the National 
Association of Securities Professionals, the National Action Network 
Inc., and Baldwin Wallace College where he taught courses in Political 
Science. With this outstanding record of service, it's no wonder that 
the Cleveland Plain Dealer named Mr. Forbes as one of the 50 most 
influential people in Cleveland's history.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of George L. Forbes as he receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from 
the NAACP. Mr. Forbes is the prime candidate for this prestigious 
recognition. His legacy and unwavering commitment to public service 
will serve as inspiration to others for decades to come.

                          ____________________