[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12392-12393]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO FORMER OHIO CONGRESSMAN LOUIS STOKES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2015

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to my friend, mentor 
and predecessor, former Congressman Louis Stokes. Earlier this week the 
world learned of his cancer diagnosis.
  When the Congressman first told me about his condition, I didn't know 
quite what to say. He had still been out, attending events and doing 
things. He never stops. It is easy to think he is immortal. Because he 
is a fighter. For more than 30 years, he tirelessly fought for the 
people of Ohio, and he is still fighting today. The first African 
American elected to Congress from Ohio, Congressman Stokes is the 
epitome of a public servant.
  While in Washington, he was a trailblazer. He was the first African 
American to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and 
was a founder of the CBC Health Braintrust. He constantly fought to 
combat pervasive health disparities plaguing the African-

[[Page 12393]]

American community and served as a voice for people of color and all of 
our nation's most vulnerable.
  Congressman Stokes once said, ``I'm going to keep on denouncing the 
inequities of this system, but I'm going to work within it. To go 
outside the system would be to deny myself--to deny my own existence.'' 
His work has affected thousands. There is no one in Washington that 
does not know the name Louis Stokes, and no one who was not touched in 
some way by his work and his kindness.
  He is always a gentleman, someone who made you feel good about being 
represented by him or just being in his company. When he speaks, people 
listen. Congressman Stokes exudes leadership, vision, and purpose. He's 
a giant of a man, an example for us all. It is a privilege to work with 
him and walk in his Congressional footsteps.
  Thank you, Congressman Louis Stokes for everything you have done. The 
nation is indebted to you. We are grateful for your service. As you 
continue to battle this diagnosis, my thoughts and prayers are with 
you, your family and your doctors. Let us all continue to uplift and 
encourage the Stokes family.

                          ____________________