[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSWOMAN MARCIA FUDGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand here this 
morning as a proud American and proud of this Republic which elected 
the first African American President 6 years ago, and reelected him 2 
years ago by an overwhelming vote.
  I rise today to celebrate my outstanding colleague and dear friend, 
Representative Marcia Fudge, on the completion of her term as the 23rd 
chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
  I have had the honor and privilege of working along with 
Representative Fudge on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee 
when she first was elected to the House of Representatives in 2008. 
Since that time, I have watched her thrive as a fearless leader on 
Capitol Hill, not only for her constituents of Ohio's 11th District, 
but for African Americans and other underrepresented citizens all over 
the country and internationally. As chair of the Congressional Black 
Caucus, Representative Fudge is only the seventh woman to serve in this 
capacity, and she has been groundbreaking in her fight to tackle 
difficult issues facing underrepresented communities of color during 
her 2-year term as chair.
  Mr. Speaker, under Representative Fudge's leadership, the 
Congressional Black Caucus has continued to be the conscience of 
Congress, working tirelessly to steer good policy to the forefront. 
Over these past 2 years, Representative Fudge, in her role as chair, 
has faithfully represented the underrepresented voices as they pertain 
to job creation, education, health care, national security, and a host 
of other pressing issues. Her intricate policy knowledge, political 
savvy, and ability to build coalitions have been of tremendous value to 
the Congressional Black Caucus and to the Nation.
  I can speak on behalf of all of my colleagues--and you have just 
witnessed them here present in the Chamber--in saying that we will 
sorely miss her leadership, and we thank her for her service as chair. 
I am confident that Ms. Fudge will continue to serve selflessly and 
devote her time and talents to the CBC and its goals, and I look 
forward to continuing our important work together because it is far 
from being over.

                          ____________________