[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29400]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATION FOR THE LIFE OF ISIAH JESSIE WILLIAMS, III

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2009

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, this communication is 
forwarded on behalf of the constituents of the Third Congressional 
District of Florida and myself as we pay tribute to the life of Isiah 
Jessie ``Ike'' Williams, III.
  We are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of our dear friend, 
mentor and brother ``Ike'' Williams. This man of great stature and 
bearing was the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar. We were moved by 
his passion, emboldened by his commitments, honored by his friendship 
and made all the better by his innate wisdom and his belief in the 
integrity of the human experience. His was a purposeful life and one 
that helped shape the destinies of historical figures with whom he 
conversed, and equally so that of the common man and woman, in whom he 
placed unwavering faith. We came to know him as a dedicated servant to 
his people and just causes, a scholar and historian without comparison. 
We were assured for we came to know the absoluteness of his word, the 
sanctity of his promise, the depth of his intellect, the breadth of his 
worldly experiences, his place in history, and of his true love for his 
wife, his family and his friends.
  We come now to remember the man, the Korean War Veteran, the lawyer, 
the educator, the editor and publisher and most preciously we come to 
remember our friend. We are poised to remember him as repository of our 
histories--spoken, written and shared. His was the force of change 
through direct action, intervention, education and by challenging the 
very fabric of society. By his very being we were blessed; and in this 
moment in our collective memories, we pray for the family and find 
solace in the knowledge that ``Ike'' has found that eternal peace in 
the embrace of his Heavenly Father.

                          ____________________