E1398 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 6, 2000 In addition to her outstanding human rights Mr. Takacs, a past president of United Auto the last quarter century to secure the civil work, this energetic woman found time to be- Workers Local 45, has served on the front rights of all Americans. Bill Lann Lee's deep come an accomplished cook and cookbook lines of the battle for working families since and personal commitment to civil rights and author. She taught cooking classes for con- the 1930's. I ask my distinguished colleagues his outstanding record of service make him an gressional spouses and was also an out- to join me in celebrating the life of this truly re- exemplary choice for this critical position. In standing gardener. A species of orchids is markable man, who has dedicated his life to Bill Lann Lee all Americans can rest assured named in her honor. serving others. that they have a true civil rights crusader look- Mr. Speaker, Ginetta Sagan is survived by f ing out for their civil rights, forcefully advo- three sonsÐLoring, Duncan and PicoÐas well cating fair affirmative action policies for all as six grandchildren. SAINT THOMAS EPISCOPAL those discriminated against. The appointment f PARISH GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY of Bill Lann Lee as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights brings to this critical position a IN MEMORY OF KENNETH BLAND HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN proven civil rights leader with a deep and per- OF FLORIDA sonal commitment to protecting the rights of HON. ROBERT W. NEY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES all Americans. Bill Lann Lee's personal drive in civil rights OF OHIO Wednesday, September 6, 2000 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES advocacy was fueled by the experiences of his Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with father, a proud but poor Chinese immigrant. Wednesday, September 6, 2000 great pleasure that I congratulate the mem- Bill Lann Lee grew up knowing his father Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in mem- bers of St. Thomas Episcopal Parish on their fought for freedom abroad in World War II ory of Kenneth Bland, who passed away on 50 years in the South Florida community. St. even though he was denied dignity and free- August 27, 2000. Kenneth was born on June Thomas Episcopal Parish will celebrate its dom here at home because of his ethnicity. In- 11, 1933 in Cadiz, Ohio to George and Ber- 50th anniversary on Sunday, October 1st, with spired by that kind of unshakeable patriotism, nice Bland. commemorative worship service and festivi- Bill Lann Lee set out to establish a legal ca- Kenneth was a retired coal miner with Y&O ties. reer in which he could fight to protect all Coal Company Nelms No. 2 mine near Cadiz. I commend Rev. Roger M. Tobin for his Americans from the kind of discrimination his He served his country in the Army during the selfless work and service to parishioners. He father experienced. Today he says, ``When- Korean war. Kenneth was the father and step- and the members of the parish should be ever I work on cases for women, for minori- father of six wonderful children; James, John, proud to know that they have long served their ties, for individuals who need help, I sincerely Jana, Jennifer, Robert and Lesley. Kenneth's community with selfless devotion and will con- feel that they are people like my father.'' Bill family also included four grandchildren and tinue to do so for the next 50 years. Lann Lee's desire to protect everyone from two stepgrandchildren. It is an honor for me to represent St. Thom- discrimination is a personal one, and it is this Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to pay as Episcopal Parish in the United States Con- kind of commitment that makes him an out- my last respects to a man who gave so much gress. The parish and the members stand as standing choice for Assistant Attorney General of himself to his community, his area and his an example of unity and strength in our com- for Civil Rights. family. Kenneth will be missed by all whose munity and I am proud to offer my felicitations Mr. Speaker, Bill Lann Lee brings a strong lives he touched. I am honored to have rep- today. work ethic and record of service to his new resented him and proud to call him a con- I also want to recognize the parish's 50th position. He who grew up near Harlem's 125th stituent and a friend. Anniversary Committee for their hard work and street, and spent hours sorting piles of dirty f dedication to making the 50th anniversary clothes in his family laundry. He experienced celebration a success. These special individ- racism because of his Asian-American back- IN HONOR OF JOSEPH TAKACS uals include: Committee Chair, Virginia Wheel- ground, but he had the courage and deter- er; and Committee members Virginia Elias, mination to work beyond that bias and excel in HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Blossom Hibbe, Jim Karousatos, Bob the classroom. Because of his hard work, he OF OHIO McCammon, Betty Melfa, Pam Normandia, had the opportunity to take advantage of a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sam Normandia, Holly Ostlund, Polly Patter- scholarship for minorities and attended Yale Wednesday, September 6, 2000 son, Diana Propeck, Mary Lou Shad, Roxanne University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Singler, Frank Stuart, Susie Westbrook; and He went on to Columbia Law School, where Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to Honorary member, the Rt. Rev. Calvin O. he studied with Jack Greenberg, a veteran remember Joseph Takacs, a man who de- Schofield, Jr. civil rights lawyer who succeeded Thurgood voted his life to the betterment of mankind, I ask my congressional colleagues to join Marshall as director-counsel of the NAACP and the struggles of those who needed help me in congratulating St. Thomas Episcopal Legal Defense Fund. Because of Bill Lann the most. Parish on its golden anniversary and in wish- Lee's hard work, he received an excellent Mr. Takacs led the autoworkers at General ing the parishioners much continued success education and laid the foundation for an out- Motor's Fisher Body plant in Cleveland for and longevity. standing legal career at the forefront of Civil more than 10 nonconsecutive years in the f Rights advocacy. It is from this position that 1960's and 1970's. A courageous fighter for he has spent the last 25 years continuing to the working man, Mr. Takacs was one of 250 THE APPOINTMENT OF BILL LANN work hard to protect the civil rights of all workers who staged a sit-in at General Motor's LEE AS ASSISTANT ATTORNEY Americans. Cleveland plant that lasted from December GENERAL FOR CIVIL RIGHTS Mr. Speaker, for the past 25 years of his 1936 into February 1937. Through the dedica- distinguished legal career, Bill Lann Lee has tion and determination of Mr. Takacs and his HON. TOM LANTOS been an advocate for civil rights enforcement, striking colleagues a nationwide strike began. OF CALIFORNIA leading the fight for health care accessibility, The strike forced the company to recognize IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES public transportation equity, fair employment the union as a bargaining agent for its hourly and housing rights and school desegregation. employees, even today, considered one of the Wednesday, September 6, 2000 He worked for the NAACP since 1974 and the greatest union victories. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Center for Law in the Public Interests since Mr. Speaker, Mr. Takacs was a dedicated applaud to the recess appointment of Bill Lann 1983 where he served for five years as super- man who committed his life to union reform, Lee as assistant Attorney General for Civil vising attorney for Civil Rights Litigation. helping the poor, and fighting for the working Rights. Bill Lann Lee is a true civil rights cru- Among his most noteworthy victories are a men and women of this nation. Mr. Takacs sader, and his appointment reflects the Clin- 1985 case that provided housing for Los An- was an inspirational leader and a mentor for ton-Gore administration's unflinching commit- geles area residents displaced by the Century generations to come. A champion of the ment to protecting the civil rights of all Ameri- Freeway; a 1987 case that broke down bar- causes of working people Mr. Takacs never cans by rigorously enforcing our nation's civil riers to the hiring and promotion of women turned his back on anyone. A leader dedicated rights legislation. and minorities at Lucky Stores, a retail chain to his fellow colleagues, during strikes, Mr. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Lee's personal experi- in California; and a 1991 case that led to the Takacs would beg for food to make sure that ences with discrimination as an Asian-Amer- expansion of California's efforts to screen un- there was always food at the union hall. ican have driven him to fight passionately for derprivileged children for lead poisoning.
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