[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17750-17751]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE SERVICE OF CONGRESSMAN EMANUEL CLEAVER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Rangel) for 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. RANGEL. I don't rise to talk about and to give accolades to 
Congressman Cleaver because he has served the Congressional Black 
Caucus so well. And the reason I don't is because I can't imagine that 
he won't continue to serve us as he has this capacity to do.
  I know that Congresswoman Judge Fudge is going to do a remarkable 
job, but there is a uniqueness about Reverend Cleaver, Pastor Cleaver, 
City Councilman Cleaver, Mayor Cleaver, Congressman Cleaver. God has 
given these terrific assets to be able to take complex, emotional 
problems and to talk to you like he's known you all of your life as he 
helps you to work with him to try to find some solution.
  Every time I hear him give a talk, I vision him in his church talking 
about those things that give inspiration to so many people that have 
lost hope, and especially now, as many have lost their homes and lost 
jobs.
  As we struggle in this Congress today, in trying to bring some 
balance in terms of our deficit, our spending, as well as our raising 
the revenue, I cannot help but look at the reverend, Congressman, 
chairman in terms of the words of Matthew, when Jesus made it 
abundantly clear that, although the rich were not asking Jesus for 
comfort as related to providing for the sick and the naked and the poor 
and the underprivileged, somehow Jesus had said what Emanuel Cleaver 
follows, that it's not what we do here in the Congress for Members of 
Congress, indeed, it's not what we do for the rich and the middle 
class, but the basic question we all have to decide is: What did we do 
for the lesser among us, the vulnerable, the sick, the aged, and the 
poor?
  Certainly, Emanuel Cleaver provides a conscience for all of us that 
are privileged to serve in this august body.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
Congress's finest

[[Page 17751]]

members, Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, for his exemplary leadership and 
service to the Congressional Black Caucus.
  While Chairman Cleaver has worked on behalf of the people of 
Missouri's fifth district for the last eight years, and in service to 
the people of Kansas City as a councilman and mayor for many more than 
that, I want his constituents to know the depth, character, and 
accomplishments of the public servant they are so fortunate to have 
representing them and Americans across this country.
  As Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cleaver 
has guided its more than 40 members on their mission to extend the 
promise of the American dream to every community and corner of this 
Nation. Through his tireless advocacy on issues critical to the African 
American community and his stewardship of the Caucus's jobs fair 
initiative, Chairman Cleaver worked to bring the business community 
together with the many talented and skilled workers that were 
disproportionately impacted during this recent economic recession.
  He has worked to ensure that every child has an opportunity to 
receive a quality education; that every man and woman can exercise 
their constitutional right to vote, and that the doors of economic and 
social opportunity are open to every American who seeks to step through 
them.
  And, like so many of my fellow Members, I have the privilege of 
knowing Chairman Cleaver as a dear friend and mentor. He is always 
ready with a kind or encouraging word, no matter the situation or where 
he stands on the issues.
  I salute the Chairman for his distinguished leadership and 
achievements with the Congressional Black Caucus and congratulate him 
on this milestone in his career. As colleagues, we are grateful that we 
will continue to benefit from his service and friendship for years to 
come.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor our colleague, the Honorable Emanuel Cleaver III. Congressman 
Cleaver has served with distinction during the 112th Congress as the 
20th chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
  During his tenure as CBC chair, Chairman Cleaver focused on bringing 
critical issues before the United States that are of importance to 
Black America such as voter protection, job creation, inequity in 
unemployment, the debt-ceiling and many other pressing issues facing 
our country. As a co-chair of the CBC Technology and Infrastructure 
taskforce I have worked closely with Chairman Cleaver to advocate for 
the needs of community colleges, increased workforce training, 
initiatives to broaden participation in STEM and inadequate, outdated, 
and underfunded transportation systems.
  Chairman Cleaver deserves to be commended for highlighting African-
American inequity in unemployment and spearheading the Congressional 
Black Caucus Jobs tour this past summer. The jobs tour was a nationwide 
initiative that helped pair thousands of unemployed African Americans 
with employers and brought the issue to the forefront of the national 
discussion. As past chair of the CBC I know that the work of the Caucus 
truly serves as a voice for the voiceless and its 43 Members serve as 
the conscience of the United States Congress.
  It has been an honor to be a friend and colleague of Chairman Cleaver 
during our years in Congress. He continues to inspire and encourage us 
all through his milestone of service to our Nation throughout his 
tenure as a United States Congressman.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Chairman Cleaver for his many 
accomplishments during his tenure as Chairman of the CBC.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I rise in tribute to the Chair of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, the Honorable Emanuel Cleaver this morning.
  Every Chair brings a special brand of leadership to the Caucus and 
every term in which that Chair serves has its own unique challenges.
  Chairman Emanuel Cleaver led the 112th Caucus with humor and 
equanimity and provided a strong and unwavering moral compass for not 
just the CBC, but for the entire Democratic Caucus.
  His stories--we never knew where he was going with them until the 
end--were always full of wit and ``down-home wisdom'' and always held a 
message to remind us ``whose we are'' and ``what is expected of us.'' 
There was always an inspirational message to fuel us for the task.
  We were continually challenged during the 112th Congress, the 
recession, the contentious election season and its voter suppression 
initiatives, the ethics attacks on our members, and the Tea Party 
influence on our Republican colleagues made it a particularly 
challenging two years.
  But he met and led us to meet those challenges head on and took the 
CBC to yet another higher level. I was proud to serve as his First 
Vice-chair.
  I know these years were full of sacrifice for him and his family and 
so I proudly join all of the other members of the CBC to tell him thank 
you for his excellent and significant stewardship.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, for the great job he has done as Chairman 
of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 112th Congress.
  As the 20th chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman 
Cleaver has benefited from the legacy of many great leaders from our 
past.
  A legacy that includes inspiring leaders like Shirley Chisholm, the 
first African American female Member to be elected to Congress, Charles 
Diggs, Jr., the first Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and 
the late great Congressman Donald Payne from New Jersey.
  I can say with great sincerity, that Congressman Cleaver has 
established a legacy of his own.
  During his tenure as CBC Chairman Congressman Cleaver has sought to 
fight the pervasive job loss in the African American community by 
promoting the CBC jobs initiative.
  Chairman Cleaver has led Members of the Congressional Black Caucus 
across the country, where we have called upon private and public sector 
partners to immediately remedy the jobs crisis by going into 
communities with legitimate employment opportunities for the 
undeserved.
  Under Representative Cleaver's leadership, the CBC has hosted town 
hall meetings and job fairs in the hardest hit, economically distressed 
areas to provide opportunities for people to be connected to real 
employment.
  When Republican state legislators decided to pass egregious voter 
I.D. laws to undermine the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Congressman 
Cleaver made sure that the Congressional Black Caucus was at the 
forefront of the fight to educate the voting public about these laws, 
and stop them in their tracks.
  After working under the leadership of Congressman Cleaver for the 
last two years, I can attest with great confidence that he has shown a 
natural aptitude for strong leadership, with a clear vision that will 
serve as a great example for future CBC Chairmen for years to come.
  I think my colleagues would agree with me when I say--Congressman 
Cleaver, you have served well.
  Thank you for your commitment and your tireless effort on behalf of 
the CBC.
  I look forward to working with you, and continuing to ``fight the 
good fight'' in the 113th Congress.

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