Congressional Record—House H7609
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September 11, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð HOUSE H7609 Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speak- offer remarks on behalf of the Congres- gether to arm and equip ourselves to fight er, one further, final question. sional Black Caucus. I want to share more effectively than ever before for those Could the gentleman give us any un- my remarks and a copy of Charlie's who are too seldom victors, too often vic- derstandings as to which appropria- obituary with his friends across the tims.'' Under Charlie's leadership, we became a tions bills he expects to come before us Nation. formidable force in the United States Con- next week with motions to go to con- Charlie was a giant in the Black po- gress. One of our finest hours was the meet- ference with the potential of instruc- litical history of America. We extend ing with President Richard Nixon following tion for conferees and all that goes our deepest sympathy to his wife, Dar- our boycott of him for neglecting the legiti- with it? lene, and members of the Diggs family. mate needs and rights of black Americans. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I appre- He will never be forgotten. At this historic meeting, in his quiet, dig- ciate again the inquiry, and I am, un- The materials referred to are as fol- nified manner, Charlie Diggs told President fortunately, unable to give him that. lows: Nixon. ``Our people are no longer asking for equality as a rhetorical promise. They are But if the gentleman would check with REMARKS OF THE HONORABLE LOUIS STOKES, demanding from the national administration the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. MEMBER OF CONGRESSÐA SPECIAL TRIBUTE and from elected officials without regard to LIVINGSTON), the chairman of the Com- TO THE HONORABLE CHARLES DIGGS party affiliation, the only kind of equality mittee on Appropriations, perhaps he Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Fort Washington, that ultimately has any real meaningÐ could get a better read directly from MD, September 1, 1998 equality of results.'' him about what his plans are with re- Darlene and members of the Diggs family. President Nixon's failure to adhere to our spect to asking for time. I speak here today to pay tribute to a giant demands forced Charlie to make a dramatic in the black political history of America. I and brilliant move. He appointed the Diggs f speak on behalf of the 39 black Members of ``shadow cabinet'' which consisted of black Congress who inherit his legacy. The entire professionals who were experts in govern- ADJOURNMENT TO MONDAY, ment, and whom Charlie gave titles similar SEPTEMBER 14, 1998 Congressional Black Caucus, chaired by Con- gresswoman Maxine Waters, liken his pass- to that of each member of Nixon's Cabinet. Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask ing to the falling of a giant oak in the forest. Whenever a Nixon Cabinet member presented unanimous consent that when the Present today are Ms. Waters, Congressman an administration policy or position, the House adjourns today, it adjourn to Clay of Missouri, Albert Wynn of Maryland, Diggs ``cabinet'' counterpart would respond former Congresswoman Cardiss Collins, and from the black perspective. meet at 10:30 a.m. on Monday next for It was during this period of time that Vice morning hour debate. myself. Long before many of us came to Congress, President Spiro T. Agnew, while traveling in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Charlie Diggs was a legend to us. Both his fa- Africa, verbally attacked America's black objection to the request of the gen- ther's and his own political career had made leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus. tleman from Texas? the Diggs name a prominent family name Under Charlie's leadership, the caucus re- There was no objection. among blacks all over America. We, too, had sponded on the floor of the House. Charlie said, ``Although his statements are very dif- f taken pride in 1955 in seeing this young State senator, join William L. Dawson and ficult to follow with any degree of logic, it is DISPENSING WITH CALENDAR Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, as Michi- not hard to understand that times and the gan's first black Congressman. He hit the people have indeed passed him byÐthe mat- WEDNESDAY BUSINESS ON ter of black leadership is not within his prov- WEDNESDAY NEXT ground running in Congress and quietly es- tablished his reputation as a fighter for civil ince to decide.'' Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask and human rights. In two areas, Charlie's legislative accom- unanimous consent that the business In the same year he was sworn in to Con- plishments will remain etched in history. Under his chairmanship of the House Dis- in order under the Calendar Wednesday gress, Charlie received national attention for monitoring the trial of two white Mississip- trict of Columbia Committee, home rule was rule be dispensed with on Wednesday established, giving the District of Columbia next. pians accused of murdering Emmett Till. Following the trial, he proposed that the the right to elect their own mayor and city The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there representation in Congress from Mississippi council for the first time in more than a cen- objection to the request of the gen- be reduced. He also called upon President Ei- tury. He also authored the legislation creat- tleman from Texas? senhower to call a special session of Congress ing the University of the District of Colum- There was no objection. to consider civil rights issues. bia. The other area was his tenure as chair- man of the Subcommittee on African Affairs. f Charlie endured fire bombings at homes he was staying in in Selma and Mississippi He was acknowledged and respected by ev- eryone as Capitol Hill's foremost elected of- TRIBUTE TO CHARLES C. DIGGS while taking up the cause of tenants being evicted from a slum. He investigated racial ficial on Africa. He was loved all over Africa. (Mr. STOKES asked and was given disputes at a Job Corps camp and in the So, Charlie, we benefitted from your lead- permission to address the House for 1 United States Army. In fact, Congressman ership, your friendship, your letters, your minute and to revise and extend his re- William Clay, who would not come to Con- phone calls and your visits. You walked tall marks.) gress until 1969, was one who was affected by and quietly carried a big stick. Good night, Dean. We'll miss you. Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to this. In his book entitled, ``Just Permanent Interests,'' Clay first speaks of ``Diggs' long advise the House of the recent passing OBITUARY of our former colleague and friend, and glorious career,'' and then tells that ``In late 1954, when I was a member of the Army Charles C. Diggs, Jr., State Senator, Con- former Congressman Charles C. Diggs, Chemical Corps, stationed at Fort McClel- gressman and Mortician, was born December Jr. Former Congressman Diggs passed lan, Alabama, I was prompted to call upon 2, 1922, and departed this life August 24, 1998. on August 28, 1998. him for assistance even before he was sworn He was the only child of the late Mayme E. Charlie Diggs was elected to the into Congress.'' Jones Diggs and Charles C. Diggs, Sr. The United States Congress from Michi- Between 1955 and 1968 John Conyers, Rob- Diggs Seniors were Morticians, pioneers in gan's 13th Congressional District in ert Nix and Augustus Hawkins had come to business, public service and community ac- 1954. He was Michigan's first black Congress. So, in 1969 when Bill Clay, Shirley tivists. Member of Congress. Chisholm and I came to Congress, for the Charles C. Diggs, Jr. began his political ca- first time in history there were nine black reer in 1951 when he was elected to the During his Congressional career, he Congresspersons. By 1971, we had been joined Michigan State Senate. The youngest mem- was one of the founding members of the by Charlie Rangel, Ron Dellums, Parren ber of the Senate, he served a total of two Congressional Black Caucus and served Mitchell, George W. Collins and Ralph terms. During this tenure, he compiled a as the first chairman of that group. Metcalfe. This was the beginning of the Con- record that brought the admiration of lead- gressional Black Caucus and we elected ers throughout the state. An advocate and b 1215 Charlie Diggs as our first chairman. firm supporter of social legislation, he did He is also credited with establishing Charlie's speech at our first Congressional much to assist Governor G. Mennen Williams home rule for the District of Columbia, Black Caucus dinner in 1971 established the promote a constructive program of human as well as authoring legislation to cre- creed under which the Congressional Black relations for the state. He was instrumental Caucus exists. He said, ``We meet to assert in pushing legislation through the Senate ate the University of the District of the common bonds that unite men and that brought about good business and labor Columbia. women of all races, creeds and generations relations, compulsory school attendance, and Mr. Speaker, at the funeral services who share a fierce determination to liberate a re-evaluation of restrictions to age limita- for Charlie Diggs, I was honored to the legions of the oppressed. We come to- tions on voting..