[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17748-17749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE REVEREND EMANUEL CLEAVER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE of California. I rise in honor of our outgoing Congressional 
Black Caucus chairman, Congressman Reverend Emanuel Cleaver.
  Chairman Cleaver has been a truly outstanding leader of the 
Congressional Black Caucus during the 112th Congress. We were fortunate 
to have his wisdom and steady--mind you, steady--leadership as we have 
navigated through some of the most contentious debates that I have 
witnessed during my time in Congress.
  Faced with a job crisis unlike any that we have seen in recent 
history, Chairman Cleaver instituted a very successful job initiative. 
With unemployment at record levels, with three to four unemployed 
persons for every single job opening, with 50 million in poverty, and 
with unemployment disparities like none we have ever seen, he 
understood that it was extremely important not only to talk about the 
need for jobs but to take action to bring jobs to the people, and 
that's exactly what Chairman Cleaver and the Congressional Black Caucus 
did with last year's jobs tour, by launching jobs fairs in districts 
across the country, and we actually connected people with real jobs.

[[Page 17749]]

  Chairman Cleaver also helped lead the fight against the efforts to 
disenfranchise millions of voters. He has been a strong advocate for 
protecting the most vulnerable among us in ensuring that the social 
safety net stays in place and in pushing for a budget that is balanced 
and fair.
  Now, as we are all trying to make sense of this so-called ``fiscal 
cliff,'' I am reminded of what he said so succinctly as a result of 
last year's deal. He called it, quite frankly, a ``Satan sandwich.'' He 
has really been able to take leadership on these issues because, as a 
person of faith, he understands the moral and the, really, I think, 
extremely deep ethical impacts of our decisions. He pricks our 
conscience as we approach our deliberations.
  Indeed, in what has many times and often times been the most 
divisive, polarizing, and political climate that many of us have 
experienced, Chairman Cleaver has used his pastoral skills, his ability 
to bring people together on both sides of the aisle to help us all 
through times of trouble.

                              {time}  1100

  He is truly a Member's Member. He helped to remind us exactly why we 
are all here. And yes, he is a brilliant legislator, but he's also a 
prophetic leader.
  Chairman Cleaver visited my district on my birthday not long ago, and 
he blessed me and my church with a sermon. And I must say, it was a 
moving, a powerful, and a spirited sermon. He's truly an anointed 
pastor, and he has demonstrated this gift in his work and his 
leadership here in Congress.
  Also, Chairman Cleaver is a strong environmentalist, and I had the 
privilege to visit his district where, as mayor of Kansas City, he led 
the way in the greening of his great city. His presentation and his 
clarity on climate change and how it is affecting God's planet and its 
inhabitants is brilliant and it's clear. Communities of color and low-
income communities owe Chairman Cleaver a debt of gratitude for 
tackling this tough issue with patience and with clarity.
  But I know that Chairman Reverend Congressman Cleaver does not stand 
alone. He has an amazing support system with his family and his wife, 
Dianne, who has been a friend to me and to the Congressional Black 
Caucus. Dianne is a brilliant and beautiful woman who was taught, like 
myself, by the Sisters of Loretto. She has been by his side offering 
her advice, counsel, and love.
  I thank Chairman Cleaver for his friendship. My congressional 
district, my pastor, J. Alfred Smith, Sr., and Junior, the Allen Temple 
Baptist Church in Oakland, California, and my entire congressional 
district deeply appreciate Chairman Cleaver's generosity and his 
attention, not only to his remarkable constituents and his district, 
but to my district, to all of our districts, to our great Nation, and 
to our country.
  Thank you, Chairman Reverend Congressman Emanuel Cleaver for your 
tremendous leadership, for your friendship, and I look forward to our 
continuing work together for peace and justice.

                          ____________________