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 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 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 of Amer- city of ; 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 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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