14616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 153, Pt. 10 June 5, 2007 had learned from him, Senator MIKUL- to dedicate his entire life to fighting for the tleman from (Mr. HOYER) is SKI, Senator CARDIN. They had learned rights of . recognized for 5 minutes. from him and worked with him. Again, Years later, in 1950, after graduating from Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, as a young he was a champion for many issues. Morgan State, the University of Maryland re- man I worked on Capitol Hill for a He was a founder of the Congres- fused to admit Congressman Mitchell to its Senator, along with the sional Black Caucus, and I am so happy College Park campus, telling him that it was Speaker, Senator Daniel Brewster. that he lived to see five members of the ‘‘inadvisable’’ for blacks to attend. But that in- From time to time, Clarence Mitch- Congressional Black Caucus become justice would not prevent Parren Mitchell from ell, Jr., one of the giants of American chairs of the full committee in the pursuing his dream. He fought back. He won history in civil rights in America, House. We have Chairman RANGEL, who his court case. And Parren Mitchell became would visit Senator Brewster; and I will be making our economy fairer and the first African-American graduate student at would have an opportunity to meet all of the economic justice that Mr. the College Park campus, and earned his him. I was honored and awed to meet Mitchell talked about; and Chairman master’s degree in sociology. Because Parren him. Many called him the 101st United CONYERS, who did speak today about Mitchell refused to see his dream of attending States Senator. Clarence Mitchell, Jr., bringing the graduate school denied, many more were able was the brother of Parren James into our Congress, into our legislation, to pursue their own dream of a graduate edu- Mitchell. protecting and defending our Constitu- cation. Shortly after I graduated from law tion and our civil liberties. Then, in 1971, when first sworn in as a school, I was honored by the citizens of So it was a happy occasion, although Member of the House, Congressman Mitchell my district who elected me to the he will be greatly missed. It was a cele- became the first African-American Member of State Senate. I went to the State Sen- bration of his life that was enjoyed for Congress elected from the State of Maryland. ate as a young man, but there was a many hours today in St. James Epis- This achievement must have been tempered young man 6 months younger than I. copal Church in , Maryland. by the knowledge that he was the very first Af- His name was Clarence Mitchell, III, Congressman SARBANES was there, rican-American elected to Congress from Clarence Junior’s son. We served to- along with his full family, his mother below the Mason-Dixon line since 1898. It gether. and father, former Senator Paul Sar- took almost a century for a Black American Over the years, I got to know very banes, his brother, Michael, and of from the South to find a seat here in the Peo- well Juanita Mitchell, an extraor- course a Member of Congress we are ple’s House. dinary family, an extraordinary family very proud of, JOHN SARBANES. Across the 85 years of Parren Mitchell’s whose matriarch, Ms. Jackson, was an And AL WYNN was there. We almost life—in his own story and the story of Amer- extraordinary leader in her own right. had all of the Maryland delegation, the ica—we see the slow march of progress. We Parren J. Mitchell was my friend. In Democrats, that is. And the delegation celebrate today a man who made sure that, 1981, many years after I met the Mitch- is almost all Democratic, but that is however slow at times, we continue to march ell family for the first time, I ran for for another discussion on another day. in the right direction—toward peace, under- Congress. Juanita Mitchell and Parren AL WYNN was there representing the standing, and justice for all. Mitchell and Clarence Mitchell, III, area nearest Washington, DC, but close Congressman CUMMINGS recently described were very helpful to me in that cam- to the service of Parren Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell as ‘‘never concerning himself paign. I represented a large African When I spoke at the service I said we about fame or fortune but, rather, devoting American population. They have al- would be gathering here tonight to himself entirely to uplifting the people he rep- ways been very supportive of me and I talk about Parren Mitchell and his resented.’’ That was apparent through his of them. Parren Mitchell did a radio ad wonderful contribution to our country leadership as the first African American to for me during the course of that cam- and that they should tune in. But I chair the House Small Business Committee. paign urging all in Prince George’s wanted to tell you tonight what we saw There, he put into law guarantees that minor- County to elect me. That was a signifi- today, which was a community who ity-owned business would share in public cant help, in my opinion, to my elec- truly respected this great man and works and transportation contracts. tion. truly loved him and who will miss him It is also a great testament to the leadership He has been succeeded when he de- sorely. of Parren Mitchell that the organization he cided voluntarily to leave the Congress With the passing of Parren Mitchell, our Na- helped found—the Congressional Black Cau- by two extraordinary representatives. tion has lost one of its most passionate cham- cus—continues to serve as the conscience of One was , who spoke at pions of justice and equality. I offer my deep- the Congress and increase its ranks to the the funeral today; and the other was est condolences on behalf of all of my col- benefit of all Americans. I am sure Mr. Mitchell my colleague and my friend, the imme- leagues in the House to Congressman Mitch- is looking down upon us today and that he is diate past chairman of the Congres- ell’s family, friends, and all who loved him. pleased that so many CBC members are here sional Black Caucus which was founded Growing up in Baltimore, I learned to revere to honor him today. by Parren J. Mitchell with Lou Stokes the Mitchell family for their dedication to eco- With Congressman Mitchell’s passing, we and others. nomic and social justice. Parren, his brother have lost a friend, a former colleague, and a spoke. He spoke Clarence, and indeed his entire family, de- passionate advocate for seeing that America’s powerfully and eloquently about the voted their lives to ending racism and ensuring promise of freedom and equality are realized relationship that he throughout his life that our Nation’s bounty was shared by all of by all of our citizens. Whether in the Army, had with the Mitchell family and the its citizens. For that, we have all benefited. where he earned a Purple Heart, teaching at impact that they made on him as an That is because their advocacy brought us his alma mater, Morgan State, or serving his individual. The Mitchell family and closer to the ideal of equality that is both community as a social worker or a member of Parren J. Mitchell in particular were America’s heritage and our hope. this body, Parren Mitchell dedicated his life to extraordinary servants of the people, of The story of Parren Mitchell’s life tracks the service. His loss leaves a void that we must our democracy, of our country. progress we’ve made. But it also shows how work together to fill. When Parren J. Mitchell was sworn much farther we must travel to truly achieve I hope it is a comfort to Congressman in as the first African American to rep- justice for all. Mitchell’s family and friends that so many peo- resent the people of Maryland in Con- At age 11, Parren Mitchell understood the ple mourn their loss and are praying for them gress, he joined this institution at a reality of racism at its most violent and brutal. at this sad time. landmark moment for equality in His older brother, Clarence, a true champion f America. It was 1971. The Voting of social justice in his own right, came home Rights Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights one day and told of having just seen the body REMEMBERING PARREN J. Act of 1964 and 1968 had already been of a man who had been murdered—lynched— MITCHELL signed into law. African Americans in Somerset County. In that moment, Con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a were making strides that once seem gressman Mitchell would later say, he decided previous order of the House, the gen- unimaginable; and the assassinations

VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:24 May 18, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\H05JN7.001 H05JN7 WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD June 5, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE, Vol. 153, Pt. 10 14617 of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, to offer my sincere condolences to his of their love for him and because of his Jr., Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy family and loved ones and many humble spirit. raised questions as to what the future friends, to express my deep gratitude It was not unusual for Parren Mitch- of the civil rights movement would be. for his years of service to this House, ell to show up at a church or show up Parren Mitchell. Parren Mitchell, a the State of Maryland and this great at a funeral or show up at somebody’s man who took it upon himself to not country. Eagle Scout ceremony. He was the kind only protect the legacy of the civil Parren J. Mitchell was short in stat- of guy who spent his lifetime trying to rights pioneers who had come before ure, but he was a giant of a man. He lift up other people. but to build upon the progress that stood tall. He stood with courage, he The interesting thing, too, is that he made it possible for him to come to stood with commitment, and he stood did something for African American Washington in the first place. with conviction for the rights of all young people that very few have been Rather than be satisfied with how far Americans, not just those who were Af- able to do. When he ran for office in the struggle for freedom and equality rican Americans but of all Americans, 1968, he lost by about 5,000 votes. Now, had come in recent years, Parren took irrespective of who they are, what they in many instances, if somebody got a responsibility for moving America even were, where they came from, how they total of 15,000 votes, which he did, and lost by 5,000, which he did, they would further, dedicating his life to ensuring worshipped. He knew that equality for that American society reflected the give up. one was absolutely essential if there Two years later, Parren Mitchell values and the principles for which this was to be equality for all. America was great country stands. came back and in 1970 was elected by a blessed by the service of Parren J. tremendous landslide margin of 38 Parren was a founding member, as I Mitchell. have said, of the Congressional Black votes, and that was so significant for Today we heard of the love, the re- Caucus, a body that has transformed us because back then I was in high spect, and the honor with which he was the way we approach issues of social school, and it showed me that an Afri- held by his community. I am proud to and economic justice through an un- can American could be elected to the join Speaker PELOSI from his beloved derstanding that unity is the key to Congress of the United States of Amer- city of Baltimore; ELIJAH CUMMINGS lasting change here in the United ica. who represents that city so well today States. In other words, what Parren Mitchell Parren fought for fairness in Amer- and that district that Parren rep- showed us was what we thought to be ican workplaces and institutions of resented. He would be so proud, ELIJAH, impossible was possible, and since that higher learning as a staunch advocate of the representation you give to the time we have seen Kweisi Mfume come of affirmative action programs that 7th Congressional District. And to to this body, and yours truly, and opened the doors of opportunity to JOHN SARBANES whose father served we’ve seen African American Congress- thousands of minorities. As the Speak- shoulder to shoulder with Parren men from all over this country, and I er said today in her remarks, he was Mitchell in this House from 1971 to would venture to say that he had a tre- not only committed to equality but un- 1976. He would be so proud of you, mendous impact on others, in the His- derstood that equity, particularly own- JOHN, and the role you play in rep- panic community and women and ership in our society, a piece of the pie, resenting that great city. many others, who may have thought at was absolutely essential as well. I was blessed, Mr. Speaker, to serve one time it was almost impossible to Parren helped to enhance the for- with Parren Mitchell for the time that come here. tunes of America’s minority business he served and I served together. I And so we pay tribute to this great community by introducing legislation learned from him. I am better because man. His record is clear: a staunch ad- ensuring that minority owned business of him, and I miss him deeply. vocate for small business; a staunch advocate for those who have been left enterprises have a fair shot at Federal f contracts, a provision we see mirrored out; a staunch advocate for making in local and State government con- b 2100 sure that civil rights are adhered to. And finally, let me say this, Mr. tracting practices all over our Nation HONORING THE MEMORY OF Speaker, as I summarize Parren’s life today because of the leadership and PARREN J. MITCHELL in a written piece for the Afro-Amer- commitment of Parren Mitchell. ican newspaper, Parren Mitchell was Parren’s life was one of historic The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a one who built bridges to opportunities firsts, from the first African American previous order of the House, the gen- and tore down walls which caused peo- congressman from Maryland to the tleman from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS) ple not to be included in this society. first African American to receive a de- is recognized for 5 minutes. gree from my alma mater, the Univer- Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, it f sity of Maryland. gives me great honor this evening to COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND His life was also one of service, serv- talk about my good friend and mentor, LEGACY OF CONGRESSMAN ing his country proudly and honorably former Congressman Parren Mitchell. PARREN J. MITCHELL I said today at his memorial service as an officer in the 92nd Infantry Divi- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. that Parren Mitchell was without a sion during World War II and serving DONNELLY). Under a previous order of doubt a man of great humility. He was the people of Baltimore and our Nation the House, the gentleman from Mary- a mentor of mine; and many, many as a man who would never give up land (Mr. SARBANES) is recognized for 5 years ago we came in contact with fighting for what he knew to be right minutes. and just. each other. One of the things that he Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise Coretta Scott King once said that made clear was that being in elected today to join others in commemorating struggle is a never-ending process, and office is not about seeking to be a ce- the life and legacy of Congressman freedom never really won; you earn it lebrity. It must be about service. He Parren J. Mitchell. Growing up in Bal- and win it in every generation. was one who made it his business to timore, I came to understand the tre- We are all profoundly fortunate that serve his constituents to the nth de- mendous positive impact this great a leader like Parren Mitchell was here gree. man had on my community, the State to carry the torch of human progress If you were to ride around the 7th of Maryland and indeed this country. that was passed down to his genera- Congressional District, much of which The first African American Congress- tion, and we all are profoundly grateful is in the inner city of Baltimore, you man from my State, Parren Mitchell for his contribution to expanding the would hear people, from presidents of fought against racism at every turn, reach of civil rights and equal oppor- corporations to the folks working in but he fought on other fronts as well, tunity in America. the markets to the bank tellers, call wherever he saw injustice, and inhu- Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the him PJ. They called him PJ not out of manity. At his memorial service ear- life of Parren J. Mitchell, I would like disrespect. They called him PJ because lier today in Baltimore, we heard again

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