[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 28627-28628]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRESSMAN BOBBY L. RUSH DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional 
Black Caucus I rise today in honor of my colleague and fellow CBC 
member, the Honorable Bobby L. Rush. Throughout his distinguished 
career, Congressman Rush has served as a determined leader for civil 
rights and a passionate advocate for our nation's least fortunate 
citizens and their communities. On Saturday, November 28th, Rev. Jesse 
Jackson and the RainbowPUSH Coalition will honor Congressman Rush 
during ``Bobby Rush Day,'' a celebration of his life and service.
  Congressman Rush was born in Albany, Georgia, in 1946 and spent his 
childhood growing up on the north and west sides of Chicago. As a 
child, his Boy Scout Master encouraged Bobby to pursue public service. 
Congressman Rush enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17, 
which marked the beginning of what was to become a lifelong career in 
public service. After serving honorably for 5 years, he left the Army 
to attend Roosevelt University, where he graduated with honors in 1973.
  It was during this time that Congressman Rush began his passionate 
advocacy for the basic civil and human rights of minorities, as a 
member of the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to serving as a member 
of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Congressman Rush co-
founded the Illinois Black Panther Party in 1968. With the Panther 
Party, Congressman Rush organized the Free Breakfast for Children 
program and established a Free Medical Clinic, which gained renown as 
the nation's first to develop a mass sickle cell anemia testing 
program.
  This commitment to the health and dignity of communities of color has 
been a remarkable trademark of Congressman Rush's career in public 
service. After serving as an Alderman in the Chicago City Council for 8 
years, Congressman Rush was elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1993 to serve Illinois' First Congressional 
District. Congressman Rush has been a strong leader and vocal proponent 
for issues such as health care reform, job creation, environmental 
protection, gun control and ending the embargo against Cuba. Most 
recently, as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on 
Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, Congressman Rush used his deft 
leadership to shepherd the bipartisan passage of the Consumer Product 
Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040), which modernized the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission and established essential safety 
requirements for children's products.
  An ordained Baptist minister, Congressman Rush has remained true to 
the principles of truth and justice throughout his distinguished 
career. Today we rise in appreciation, not only of his contributions to 
date, but in anticipation of that which he will accomplish in the 
future. He is, and continues to be, an inspiring advocate for equality 
and a voice for the voiceless.
  The Congressional Black Caucus is stronger because of Congressman 
Rush's diligent work. His clarity of purpose and vision reinforces the 
CBC's role as the ``Conscience of the Congress.'' For that we are 
deeply grateful. We salute and celebrate this great leader for freedom 
and justice.
  To all, we wish you a very happy ``Bobby Rush Day!''

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