[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF JOHN H. BUSTAMANTE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of John 
H. Bustamante, devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor. 
Mr. Bustamante's great achievements in fields of publishing, law and 
business are only matched by his leadership in the civil rights 
movement.
  Mr. Bustamante was born in Santiago, Cuba, and moved with his family 
to Florida. He graduated from Stanton High School in Jacksonville, 
Florida, and later attended Boston University where he shared a room 
with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His friendship with Dr. King inspired 
his lifelong involvement in the civil rights movement. Their friendship 
remained strong until Dr. King's tragic death in 1968.
  After graduating from Boston University, Mr. Bustamante went to 
Harvard University where he earned a law degree. He became an 
internationally recognized attorney and served as legal counsel for 
high-profile figures like Dr. King and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Mr. 
Bustamante obtained a charter to form a national bank called First 
Bank. It grew to become the largest minority-owned bank in the nation. 
He also formed his own publishing company and in the process met and 
became lifelong friends with William O. Walker, founder and publisher 
of the Call & Post. Mr. Bustamante served the Call & Post in many ways, 
including as legal representative. When Mr. Walker passed away, Mr. 
Bustamante became the sole stockholder and publisher of the Call & 
Post. He served with integrity for more than thirty years until his 
retirement in 1998.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honor and remembrance of John H. 
Bustamante, whose life was lived with great love for family, friends 
and community. Mr. Bustamante's legacy extends from Cleveland, Ohio, to 
places around the world. Moreover, Mr. Bustamante was a devoted husband 
to Mary, cherished father of Michael, Sonali, Andre and Kamala; devoted 
stepfather to Ronald, Marcus and Patrick, and devoted grandfather. His 
energy, leadership and work on behalf of civil rights, peace and 
justice elevated our Nation's pursuit of civil rights for all. His 
kindness, service and devotion made our world a better place. He will 
never be forgotten.

                          ____________________