[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         REFLECTING ON CHAIRMAN EMANUEL CLEAVER WITH GRATITUDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Bass) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BASS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
extraordinary leadership of my colleague, Mr. Emanuel Cleaver, who 
represents with distinction Missouri's Fifth District. I want to offer 
a special word of appreciation for his many years of service, not 
merely for his constituents, but for his steady commitment to employ 
the power of his office to ensure our Nation is set on a course where 
we all succeed.
  As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Cleaver used this 
position of leadership to help elevate and embolden us to address some 
of the great social and economic challenges of our day, not just for 
African Americans, but for all Americans.
  I am reminded of the evening in North Carolina at the Democratic 
Convention when he gave that impassioned and fiery speech that brought 
everyone to our feet. He reminded us that in America our strength is 
rooted in our Nation's most profound gift--its diversity. He reminded 
us that no matter how difficult times may get or may be that we must 
``hope on,'' and that it is the power of our hope that drives us to not 
give up when we have failed, but to try again until we get it right.
  As I complete my first term in Congress, let me thank the chairman 
for his counsel, his guidance, and his friendship. He's provided advice 
and wisdom that as a newcomer to Washington has been invaluable. He's 
stepping down as the head of the Congressional Black Caucus, but we 
will all continue to enjoy hearing his reflections at caucus meetings 
and getting the notes on promoting civility. It's my personal hope that 
one day he will collect all of these notes and reflections and publish 
them.
  But I did think that I would end with words from that famous North 
Carolina speech:

       Hope inspires me to believe that any day now, we will catch 
     up to the ideals put forth by our Nation's Founding Fathers. 
     It is our hope and faith that moves us. It is our hope that 
     tells us our latter days will be better than our former. It 
     is our hope that instructs us to march on.

  I look forward to working with you in the years through the struggles 
and successes that are in front of us. Thank you, Mr. Cleaver, for your 
service, your friendship and for your leadership.

                          ____________________