E1888 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 17, 2007 a job with his international office. Over the last try to regain it back. He won two more fights share a history with many notable and hon- 24 years in Washington, DC, Rick has risen to before hanging up his boxing gloves in 1961. ored leaders within our country. W.E.B. Du the position of Legislative and Political Director Carmen was named fighter of the year in 1955 Bois, who is considered the father of sociology of the IBEW. and 1957, and would finish his career with 56 due to his thesis called ‘‘Study of the Philadel- When discussing a matter before Congress, wins, 17 losses, 7 draws, and 27 knockouts. phia Negro,’’ attended Fisk University in Nash- one got an education from Rick Diegel. You Although he left his fighting days behind ville, TN. The education and training that Dr. knew you were listening to someone who him, Basilio still remained involved in athletics. Martin Luther King, Jr., received at Morehouse came, as Rick has often said, ‘‘out of the He served as a physical education instructor College, located in Atlanta, GA, surely worked tools.’’ Having worked and gained experience at Le Moyne College and remained very in- together with his experiences in the Black at every level, Rick did not let the issues of volved in Central New York boxing. church to develop his incredible eloquence Washington, DC affect his vision and mission In 1982 the citizens of Canastota wanted to and keen analysis of social problems. of helping American laborers. For Rick, the pay tribute to their hometown fighter and did Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Chief Jus- only question was and remains: ‘Is this good so by erecting a bronze statue of Basilio. The tice of the United States Supreme Court, at- for IBEW members?’ And those members are excitement of the statue led to the building of tended Lincoln University in Chester, PA, electricians in the construction industry, they the International Boxing Hall of Fame in which is known as the first historically Black are utility workers, railroad workers, tele- Canastota, which was completed in 1989. college founded in 1854. communication workers, broadcast and gov- Basilio was inducted in 1990 and continues to As an HBCU graduate, I know firsthand the ernment workers. be a frequent visitor and volunteer at the Hall needs and values of these institutions. This is His easy manner and ready smile could of Fame. why I am especially proud that during this break the tension in any room, but those who Carmen Basilio was a boxer, but perhaps HBCU week, Congress can say it provided know him best never made the mistake of un- even more, he was a fighter. Even in losses $170 million in grants for HBCUs over the next derestimating his passion and his commitment Basilio never gave up. He always fought with 5 years via the College Cost Reduction and to the matter at hand. He has been on the perseverance, passion, and heart which Access Act. All 99 HBCUs that currently re- front line for a very long time and he will be earned him great respect beyond wins and ceive Federal funds will benefit from these missed. I wish Rick a long and happy retire- losses. I am proud to stand up and honor this new resources to strengthen their capacity to ment. man—who has served as an inspiration to so continue the tradition of developing Black tal- ent into leadership. Indeed, I benefit from the f many from Central New York—on the 50th an- niversary of his Middleweight Championship. leaders produced by these institutions given IN RECOGNITION OF CARMEN ‘‘THE As his International Boxing Hall of Fame biog- that at least four members of my staff had the ONION PICKER’’ BASILIO raphy says, ‘‘his tough gritty style not only won privilege of attending an HBCU. HBCUs are not only necessary for individ- him world titles, but it was the heart and de- uals who come from certain economic back- HON. JAMES T. WALSH sire he displayed in the ring that won him a grounds, they contain a great deal of history OF NEW YORK place in the hearts of 1950’s boxing fans.’’ and culture. The College Cost Reduction Act IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f will enhance our ability to keep these institu- Monday, September 17, 2007 PERSONAL EXPLANATION tions alive and vibrant. I am pleased that we Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, can celebrate these new resources during this I rise today to recognize boxing Champion and HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND recent HBCU week. f Central New York native Carmen Basilio as he OF GEORGIA celebrates the 50th anniversary of his World IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRIBUTE TO CURTIS Middleweight Championship. MONTGOMERY Basilio was born on April 27, 1927 in Monday, September 17, 2007 Canastota, New York. The son of an onion Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I HON. STEVAN PEARCE farmer, he spent many hours of his childhood missed recorded votes due to official business OF NEW MEXICO working with his father on their farm, which led in my district. Had I been present, I would IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to his boxing nickname ‘‘the onion picker’’. have voted the following: ‘‘yea’’ on H. Res. Carmen became a professional boxer in 1948, 257, supporting the goals and ideals of Pan- Monday, September 17, 2007 after being honorably discharged from the creatic Cancer Awareness Month, rollcall No. Mr. PEARCE. Madam Speaker, it is with United States Marine Corps. 865; ‘‘yea’’ on H. Res. 643, the resolution pride that I rise today to recognize the Curtis Basilio became the New York State commemorating September 11, rollcall No. Montgomery Veterans of Foreign Wars Post welterweight champion in 1953 and defended 866. #2575 on its 75th anniversary and its great that title in 1954. On June 10, 1955 Carmen f service to the veterans of New Mexico. defeated Tony DeMarco in a 12 round bout to The Curtis Montgomery VFW Post #2575 win the World Welterweight title. A rematch RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HBCU was chartered in 1932 as a Congressionally was held on November 30th of that same WEEK chartered post. Over the last 75 years this year, and Basilio defended his title, after post has been serving the veterans in the breaking his left hand earlier in the match, by HON. DANNY K. DAVIS communities of Roswell, Artesia, Hondo, and knocking out DeMarco in the 12th round. OF ILLINOIS surrounding areas. The post has more than Basilio would hold the World Welterweight IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 200 members, which include 100 life mem- Title until March 14, 1956 when he lost to bers. The post will soon be merging with Post Monday, September 17, 2007 Johnny Saxton. Never one to give up, Basilio #11384 in Roswell and pick up an additional regained the title on September 12, 1956 by Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I 100 members. defeating Saxton in a rematch. He remained would like to take this opportunity to celebrate Post #2575 celebrated its 75th anniversary the World Welterweight Champion until he va- National Historically Black Colleges and Uni- on September 1, 2007 with a ceremony. The cated the role to fight in the World Middle- versities week, which took place the second program honored dignitaries of the City who weight Championship on September 23, 1957. week of September. It is a pleasure to recog- have assisted veterans in the past. Special Fifty years ago this month on September nize HBCUs because, had it not been for a guests included members of Task Force 23, 1957, Carmen Basilio challenged World historically Black college, I would not be here Cobra from the area and veterans from all Middleweight Champion Sugar Ray Robinson today. Not only have HBCUs made a positive over New Mexico. Michael A. Trujillo, a for the title. The fight, which took place at impact on and provided a rich heritage to me Chaves County Commissioner and member of Yankee Stadium, is known as one of the most and my family’s lives, they lay a foundation for Task Force Cobra, honored the Post by pre- action packed fights of the decade. Even many men and women of color. senting a flag flown over Iraq during Task though he was smaller in size and reach, At the age of 16, I left home to attend what Force Cobra’s Iraq deployment to Post Com- Basilio defeated Robinson in a 15 round deci- was then Arkansas A&M College at Pine Bluff, mander Mike Point. Veterans from previous sion to become the World Middleweight later named the University of Arkansas at Pine conflicts including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Champion. Basilio would relinquish his cham- Bluff. Following in my footsteps were six of my later conflicts displayed memorabilia, shared pionship back to Robinson in a rematch six siblings, three nephews, one niece, and a half memories, and reflected on their shared serv- months later, and would twice unsuccessfully dozen first cousins. As an HBCU alumnus, I ice to our nation. VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:43 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\E17SE7.REC E17SE7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE.