sign in sign up
<<
Home , Edward Brooke

H5162 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 10, 2008 this one from Liberty Homes shows the Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I would tion of his unprecedented and enduring island kitchen. You see them with like to yield as much time as he may service to our Nation. vaulted ceilings, four- and five-bed- consume to the gentleman from Flor- The Clerk read the title of the Senate room homes only for 20, 30, $40,000 less ida (Mr. FEENEY). bill. than a site-built home. Mr. FEENEY. I thank the gentlelady. The text of the Senate bill is as fol- lows: b 1600 I thank my good friend, Mr. DONNELLY, and Chairman FRANK. S. 682 For example, a beautiful two-story Manufactured housing, as has been Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- deluxe 2,000-square-foot multisectional said, plays a vital role in meeting the resentatives of the of America in home in my district can sell for just needs of families to get affordable, at- Congress assembled, over $100,000, as I said, 10 to 35 percent tractive and safe housing throughout SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Edward Wil- less than a site-built home. They also our country. There are some 18 million gain in energy efficiency. The quality liam Brooke III that live in manufactured Act’’. of manufactured homes was shown by housing in America. And as the gen- the fact that on the gulf coast, among SEC. 2. FINDINGS. tleman from Indiana just said, the The Congress finds as follows: those that best withstood the high quality and the attractions just get (1) Edward William Brooke III was the first winds of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita better every day. It is an important African American elected by popular vote to were manufactured homes. Indeed, in source of quality affordable housing, the and served with some neighborhoods, manufactured distinction for 2 terms from January 3, 1967, and it helps new entry-level buyers as homes were the only ones left standing to January 3, 1979. well as retirees trying to downsize on after the storms blew through. (2) In 1960, Senator Brooke began his public Given manufactured housing’s dual both ends of the housing spectrum, career when Governor appointed strength in both superior price and whether getting in for the first time or him chairman of the Finance Com- mission, where the young lawyer established quality, we need to recognize and sa- they’re living perhaps in the last home that they will own. an outstanding record of confronting and lute this industry. It is a frustrating eliminating graft and corruption and pro- time in housing as we look at the those It is a responsible means of home- ownership that can play a major role in posed groundbreaking legislation for con- who took advantage in the financing sumer protection and against housing dis- end of people’s ability to repay or over- the solution to America’s affordable crimination and air pollution. valued the homes. But we need to make housing problem. The average price of (3) At a time when few sure that low- and middle-income peo- today’s manufactured housing hovers held State or Federal office, Senator Brooke ple who are striving for better housing somewhere around $48,000, and in a became an exceptional pioneer, beginning in challenging mortgage market where 1962, when he made national and State his- can still have access to affordable tory by being elected Attorney General of housing, and manufactured housing is fewer and fewer people have access to credit, this is one way to solve the , the first African American in a critical part of that. the Nation to serve as a State Attorney Gen- We have also seen much alarm in problem that many homeowners have. eral, the second highest office in the State, nonscientific facts relating to form- There are lots of homeowners today and the only Republican to win statewide in aldehyde. Formaldehyde is in the wood. throughout America that are losing the election that year, at a time when there It is not in any particular kind of hous- their homes in foreclosure. And yet be- were fewer than 1,000 African American offi- ing. It’s on this House floor. It’s in cause of the affordable nature of manu- cials in our nation. these seats. It’s in the Speaker’s po- factured housing, they have not seen a (4) He won office as a Republican in a state dramatic rise in most places as we have that was strongly Democratic. dium. The question is the size and scale (5) As Massachusetts Attorney General, of the unit because formaldehyde is a in some communities in the rate of Senator Brooke became known for his fear- repellant and an adhesive. And we need foreclosure throughout the country. less and honest execution of the laws of his to have scientific facts. The fact is that Manufactured housing is an important State and for his vigorous prosecution of or- all homes contain wood. It has nothing component of the solution for afford- ganized crime. to do with any particular category. ability and access to the American (6) The pioneering accomplishments of Ed- And many thousands of people can Dream for every American. ward William Brooke III in public service have their jobs endangered because of June is designated as the National were achieved although he was raised in Home Ownership Month. One of the Washington, DC at a time when the Nation’s nonscientific political bashing of par- capital was a city where schools, public ac- ticular categories. Manufactured hous- great choices Americans have is for commodations, and other institutions were ing, in fact, has the same characteris- quality manufactured housing. Again, I segregated, and when the District of Colum- tics in this regard as traditional site- thank the sponsor of the bill. bia did not have its own self-governing insti- built housing. Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield tutions or elected officials. We also need to make sure that as we back the balance of my time. (7) Senator Brooke graduated from Paul look at down payment requirements, Mrs. CAPITO. I yield back the bal- Laurence Dunbar High School and went on and how we deal with very difficult ance of my time and urge passage of to graduate from in 1941. the bill. (8) Senator Brooke’s enduring advocacy for subjects as we go into the housing mar- self-government and congressional voting ket, that we understand that manufac- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. rights for the citizens of Washington, DC has tured homes, in fact, have the same ap- CAPUANO). The question is on the mo- roots in his life and personal experience as a preciation as site-built homes. It is tion offered by the gentleman from In- native Washingtonian. just often because they are more af- diana (Mr. DONNELLY) that the House (9) Senator Brooke served for 5 years in the fordable, the individuals may not have suspend the rules and agree to the reso- in the segregated 366th the same income mix. And we need to lution, H. Res. 1010. Infantry Regiment during World War II in figure out a way to make sure that The question was taken; and (two- the European theater of operations, attain- thirds being in the affirmative) the ing the rank of captain and receiving a people have access to good quality for ‘‘heroic or meritorious housing, and that is the American rules were suspended and the resolu- achievement or service’’ and the Distin- Dream. tion, as amended, was agreed to. guished Service Award. I thank the thousands of workers in A motion to reconsider was laid on (10) After the war, Senator Brooke at- my district, Mr. DONNELLY’s district the table. tended School of Law, and across this entire Nation who are f where he served as editor of the school’s Law providing affordable housing so people Review, graduating with an LL.B. in 1948 and EDWARD WILLIAM BROOKE III can live the American Dream. an LL.M. in 1949, and made Massachusetts Mr. DONNELLY. I want to thank my CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL his home. ACT (11) During his career in Congress, Senator good friend, Mr. SOUDER, from the dis- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Brooke was a leader on some of the most trict right next to me. We work to- critical issues of his time, including the war gether on so many issues. I also thank Speaker, I move to suspend the rules in , the struggle for civil rights, the Mrs. CAPITO. and pass the Senate bill (S. 682) to shameful system of apartheid in South Afri- I continue to reserve the balance of award a congressional gold medal to ca, the Cold War, and United States’ rela- my time. Edward William Brooke III in recogni- tions with the People’s Republic of China.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:13 Jun 11, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10JN7.093 H10JNPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE June 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5163 (12) President Lyndon B. Johnson ap- (b) PROCEEDS OF SALE.—Amounts received That gives you the flavor of the degree pointed Senator Brooke to the President’s from the sale of duplicate bronze medals au- of respect former Senator Brooke en- Commission on Civil Disorders in 1967, where thorized under section 4 shall be deposited joys. his work on discrimination in housing would into the United States Mint Public Enter- Now, I must say for the RECORD that serve as the basis for the 1968 Civil Rights prise Fund. Senator Brooke is a man who is known Act. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- for his modesty. He never expected the (13) Senator Brooke continued to champion ant to the rule the, gentleman from open housing when he left the Senate and be- Congressional Gold Medal. When I ap- came the head of the National Low-Income Massachusetts (Mr. FRANK) and the proached him to tell him I thought he Housing Coalition. gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. deserved it, he warned me away from (14) Senator Brooke has been recognized CAPITO) each will control 20 minutes this effort. But he should have ex- with many high honors, among them the The Chair recognizes the gentleman pected it. President Bush, 4 years ago, Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, an from Massachusetts. awarded Senator Brooke the Nation’s honor that recognizes ‘‘an especially meri- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. highest medal, the Presidential Medal torious contribution to the security or na- Speaker, this bill was sponsored in the of Freedom Award. But after all, Sen- tional interests of the United States, world Senate by our very cherished col- peace, cultural or other significant public or ator Brooke was a Member of the private endeavors’’; the Grand Cross of the league, Senator KENNEDY, who served United States Congress. Order of Merit from the Government of ; with former Senator Brooke for many We noted last week the first African a State courthouse dedicated in his honor by years. It has been carried in the House American was nominated for the presi- the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, mak- with great vigor and care by our col- dency by a major party. The country ing him the first African American to have a league from the District of Columbia deserves the self-congratulations it State courthouse named in his honor; the (Ms. NORTON) and I yield her such time took for the distance it has come and NAACP ; and the Charles as she may consume. that Senator Obama’s nomination sig- Evans Hughes award from the National Con- Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank ference of Christians and Jews. naled. (15) Senator Brooke’s biography, Bridging my good friend, the dean of the Massa- We must remember, however, that The Divide: My Life, was published in 2006, chusetts delegation, not only for his Senator Brooke was elected to the Sen- and he is the author of The Challenge of assistance but for his generosity in ate from the State of Massachusetts as Change: Crisis in Our Two-Party System, yielding to me first on this bill that I a Republican. In 1967 our country was published in 1966. sponsored along with him and the en- just starting down the road we are (16) Senator Brooke became a racial pio- tire Massachusetts delegation. traveling and towards the landmark we neer, but race was never at the center of his I have to begin by thanking the saw last week. After all, the 1964 Civil political campaigns. many, many Republicans and Demo- Rights Act had just been passed. The (17) He demonstrated to all that with com- crats who are part of the two-thirds mitment, determination, and strength of 1965 Voting Rights Act had just been character, even the barriers once thought in- that are necessary to award the Con- passed. We are talking 1967, when Sen- surmountable can be overcome. gressional Gold Medal. As you are ator Brooks was first elected. (18) He has devoted his life to the service of aware, it is a pretty arduous process. In 1967 was the beginning of the urban others, and made enormous contributions to this case, it was not because of the un- disturbances known as ‘‘the riots,’’ our society today. derlying substance of the bill, but be- which swept the country even before (19) The life and accomplishments of Sen- cause when Members sign on to a bill Martin Luther King’s assassination, ator Brooke is inspiring proof, as he says, they obviously have to know some- and even before Senator Robert Ken- that ‘‘people can be elected on the basis of thing about it. And you have to go their qualifications and not their race’’. nedy’s assassination. There was an SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. from Member to Member. openly hostile climate to issues affect- (a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The I am pleased to say that many, in- ing race. And racial attitudes were Speaker of the House of Representatives and deed most, remembered Senator often retrograde. the President pro tempore of the Senate Brooke, who is alive, and I would say Mr. Speaker, I began this effort and shall make appropriate arrangements for the alive and well, if you could talk with began to think about Senator Brooke presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a him. He has had some illness. I will during the struggle for the D.C. Voting gold medal of appropriate design to Edward speak of it in a moment. Of course, it William Brooke III in recognition of his un- Rights Act because the analogies to precedented and enduring service to our Na- was necessary to remind others of Sen- our struggle and to his seem to me in- tion. ator Edward Brooke who became the escapable. Senator Brooke is a native (b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For purposes of first African American elected to the Washingtonian. He spent his entire life the presentation referred to in subsection United States Senate in 1967 pre- in this city. He never left the city until (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter sciently ahead of his time. He was the he went to the Armed Forces of the in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) first popularly elected Black Senator. shall strike a gold medal with suitable em- United States of America. The Senator blems, devices, and inscriptions, to be deter- I thank Members because I never en- grew up in this city when there was no mined by the Secretary. countered a Member who didn’t see example of democracy, much less a SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS. Senator Brooke as a historic figure public official to emulate. There was The Secretary may strike and sell dupli- worthy of the highest award the Con- no vote for President when he grew up cates in bronze of the gold medal struck pur- gress can give, the Congressional Gold in the District of Columbia. There was suant to section 3 under such regulations as Medal. no self-government at all. The city was the Secretary may prescribe, at a price suffi- Senator EDWARD KENNEDY, of whom run by three commissioners from the cient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and the gentleman from Massachusetts Congress of the United States. It had overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold spoke, quickly gathered his two-thirds. been kept a segregated city by the Con- medal. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. gress of the United States. So the SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS. The thoughts and prayers of the Amer- medal for Senator has a double sym- (a) NATIONAL MEDALS.—The medals struck ican people have been with him since bolic quality for those of us who live in pursuant to this Act are national medals for his illness was discovered. He quickly the District of Columbia. purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United gathered his two-thirds and passed this What is most amazing about Senator States Code. bill in the Senate. His colleagues un- Brooke is he seemed undaunted by any (b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, derstood Senator Brooke’s accomplish- of the so-called barriers he encoun- all medals struck under this Act shall be ments in that ‘‘club,’’ after all. He was tered. The city was as segregated as considered to be numismatic items. able to get not only his colleagues to any southern city in the United States. SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; sign on quickly but to get the bipar- He went to public schools that will be PROCEEDS OF SALE. tisan leadership. The majority leader, familiar to D.C. residents—Shaw Jun- (a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.— Mr. REID, the assistant leader, Mr. ior High School and Dunbar High There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, DURBIN were cosponsors. The minority School were still segregated when I was such amounts as may be necessary to pay for leader, Mr. MCCONNELL, was a cospon- graduating. He went to Howard Univer- the costs of the medals struck pursuant to sor. Senators TED STEVENS, JOHN WAR- sity for his college education and then this Act. NER and were cosponsors. stayed right here to go to Howard Law

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:13 Jun 11, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JN7.035 H10JNPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE H5164 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 10, 2008 School. How could Senator Brooke by Republicans would mean more to I am grateful for your work and attention have thought of himself as a Senator? me than any honor that I could achieve to voting rights for all Americans. He probably, at the time he was at as an individual.’’ Sincerely yours, Dunbar and at Howard, did not think EDWARD W. BROOKE, I said he was modest. He means it. I U.S. Senator, Retired. about the fact that he would be the think he means that sentiment. I ask first African American attorney gen- that Senator Brooke be awarded the MARCH 21, 2007. eral in the United States and the first Congressional Gold Medal. DEAR FELLOW REPUBLICAN: As a proud life- African American popularly elected to MARCH 21, 2007. long Republican, an African American, and a the Senate. He could hardly have DEAR DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS: I have written native Washingtonian, I was not destined to thought as a Republican who attained to Republican Members of the House as a become a United States Senator when I was life-long Republican and a native Washing- elected in 1966. Yet, I served with some of these offices in a heavily Democratic you as a senator from Massachusetts (1967– State then and now—that that would tonian, who was privileged to serve as the first African American elected by popular 1979). It is the Republican Party that gave be his fate. But he had no fate. He obvi- vote to the U.S. Senate (Massachusetts from me the opportunity not only to run, but also ously had only his own sense of aspira- 1967–1979). I am writing to Democrats as well to serve statewide in offices that even now tion of who he was. to thank you for your long support of voting are still rare for African Americans to During his time in the Senate from rights and home rule for my hometown, and achieve. The Republican Party allowed me not only to represent others. The Republican 1967 to 1979, Senator Brooke was a to ask you to cast your vote for H.R. 1433, Party allowed me to be represented in the the District of Columbia House Voting strong advocate for the rights of D.C. Congress of the United States. I am asking Rights Act of 2007. I grew up in the District residents who had nobody, had got you to do the same for the tax paying citi- when it was as segregated as other Southern home rule only during his time, strong zens of my home town and to vote for pas- cities, including the city’s public schools, advocate for home rule, got a delegate sage of the District of Columbia Voting and I was educated at Howard University. We Rights Act of 2007. during his term, pressed hard for that. had no local or federal rights, even to govern And he has been a major advocate for Last year, I was especially proud to watch ourselves or to vote for President, and no my party lead the passage of the reauthor- the pending D.C. Voting Rights Act, one to represent our concerns in the Con- ization of the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act which again I thank this House for gress. A Democratic Congress changed all of and to see a member of my party, Represent- passing in 2007. He made calls to Sen- that when Democrats and a Republican ative Tom Davis of Virginia, initiate a simi- ators urging passage. And during his president granted the citizens of the nation’s lar bill for the District of Columbia. Now you book tour last year he spoke of the im- capital home rule and a delegate to the have before you another historic voting House. Now you have another historic oppor- portance of passage of the D.C. Voting rights bill. At 87 years of age, I have had rare tunity to grant these tax-paying citizens the privileges and honors as an American, in- Rights Act. His book tour concerned full representation in the ‘‘People’s House’’ cluding the nation’s highest honor gener- the publication of his autobiography, that they deserve. ously given to me two years ago by Presi- ‘‘Bridging The Divide: My Life.’’ At 87 years of age, I have had rare privi- dent George Bush. At a recent press con- b 1615 leges and honors as an American citizen that ference at the Capitol held by senators to few Americans, particularly residents of the celebrate my recently published autobiog- Senator Brooke has breast cancer. District have never enjoyed. At a recent raphy, I learned that members of my con- Speaking of obstacles, he has regarded press conference at the Capitol held by sen- gressional delegation and others were seek- his recovery from this disease as an im- ators to celebrate my recently published ing for me the highest congressional honor, portant obligation to educate men autobiography, I learned that members of the Congressional Gold Medal. I could not about the disease. He obviously has had my congressional delegation and others were help but be overwhelmed, but I had to say that as much as I would appreciate such a some of the illnesses associated with seeking for me the highest congressional honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. I could high honor from my peers, I would place being 88 years old, but I must say his not help but be overwhelmed, but I had to even greater priority on a full House seat for robust mind leads me to believe that he say that as much as I would appreciate such the American citizens who live in my home will attend the ceremony in the Capitol a high honor from my peers, I would place town. This right for citizens of the city Rotunda if we award him this medal. It even greater priority on a full House seat for where I was born and raised was not achieved is an amazing accomplishment that the citizens of my hometown. when I was a member of Congress. Wit- with all these strikes against him, he I was elected as the nation’s first Black at- nessing the District of Columbia obtain the right to be represented in the House with didn’t even seem to notice. torney general and then as the first African American elected by popular vote to the votes cast by many Republicans would mean So 208 years since the framers of our more to me than any honor I could achieve Constitution expected Congress to United States Senate when Black Americans running for state wide office seemed the stuff as an individual. grant DC voting rights once it became of fantasy. However, I had to leave my home- I will always be grateful to the Republican the capital under its jurisdiction, in town to become a Member of Congress or be party that pressed and strongly supported this very year when we expect in fact represented at all. Nothing would mean more my candidacies, as the nation’s first Black to get that right, I ask this House to do to me, particularly at this stage in my life, attorney general and then as the first Afri- can American elected by popular vote to the than witnessing Democrats and Republicans what it has already done for voting United States Senate. Republicans were first voting together to afford voting rights to the rights and to award the Congressional in their willingness to break ancient bar- citizens of the District of Columbia. Gold Medal to our native son. We are riers, in the 1960’s, when Black Americans I believe that Voting Rights Reauthoriza- close to voting rights. It was filibus- running for statewide office seemed the stuff tion in 2006 and the D.C. House Voting tered, but we believe we can break that of fantasy. I was able to run and win because Rights Act of 2007 are equivalent in their his- the Republican Party never wavered because now. toric purposes and deep meaning. Both bills I want to leave you with the Sen- of my race in a state where only two percent are the same in extending long-denied con- of the residents were Black. I hope you will ator’s own words when we told him gressional voting rights, and in the District’s not hesitate now in granting my hometown a that we were seeking the medal for case, to an African American city as well. I vote in the House of Representatives for the him. He wrote this letter, which I ask lived in the District until I joined the Army first time in the two centuries of the city’s to be entered into the RECORD, to his and was proud to serve as a combat infantry existence as our nation’s capital. Republican colleagues, and he wrote a officer in [captain during] WWII. The experi- The Fannie Lou Hamer, , and ence of living in a segregated city and of Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reau- similar letter to his Democratic col- serving in our segregated Armed forces helps leagues or former colleagues here, and thorization and Amendments Act of 2006 and explain why the pending D.C. House Voting the D.C. House Voting Rights Act of 2007 are I am quoting the Senator: ‘‘As much as Rights Act is so important to me personally. equivalent in their purposes and their deep I would appreciate such a high honor I have been heartened by the strong sup- meaning. Both bills are the same in extend- from my peers, I would place even port of the Democratic leadership and com- ing long-denied congressional voting rights, greater priority on a full House vote mittee chairs and members who are swiftly and in the District’s case, to a majority for the American citizens who live in bringing this bill to the floor early in the Black city as well. I grew up in the District my hometown. The right for citizens of session. The bill has passed twice by over- when it was as segregated as other Southern the city where I was born and raised whelming majorities in the Oversight and cities, including the city’s public schools, Government Reform Committee and this and was educated at Howard University. We was not achieved when I was a Member year by a two-to-one vote by the Judiciary had no local or federal rights, even to govern of Congress. Witnessing the District of Committee. I ask that you join the large ma- ourselves or to vote for President, and no Columbia obtain the right to be rep- jorities in those committees and vote for one to represent our concerns in the Con- resented in the House with votes cast H.R. 1433. gress. I did not live elsewhere until I joined

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:13 Jun 11, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10JN7.101 H10JNPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE June 10, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5165 the Army and was proud to serve as a com- adopted son of Massachusetts. Senator elected Massachusetts Attorney Gen- bat infantry officer during WWII. The experi- Brooke’s family, the District of Columbia Public eral and then on to the United States ence of living in a segregated city and of Schools, Howard University, and the proud Af- Senate, where he served two terms. serving in our segregated Armed forces per- haps helps explain why my party’s work on rican American community both sheltered and Mr. Speaker, this bill was sponsored the Voting Rights Act reauthorization last prepared him for his remarkable life and serv- by our colleague in the Senate, Senator year and on the pending D.C. House Voting ice to the people of Massachusetts and the , also of Massachusetts, Rights Act has been so important to me per- Nation. with 67 cosponsors, and he assured its sonally. The irony, of course, is that I had to We are especially grateful for the Senator’s passage before his unfortunate illness. leave my hometown to get representation in devotion to H.R. 328, the District of Columbia We hope for him and his family the Congress and to become a Member. Nothing Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of very best. Our prayers are with them. would mean more to me, particularly at this 2007. Senator Brooke has worked devotedly Here in the House a companion bill, stage in my life, than witnessing Repub- for passage of the pending legislation. While licans and Democrats voting together to af- H.R. 1000, was sponsored by our col- ford voting rights to the citizens of the Dis- in the Senate, he never forgot that his home- league Ms. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, trict of Columbia. town had no Senator and needed him, too. and she has collected 290 cosponsors. H.R. 1433 has been passed twice by over- Speaking on the Senate floor for passage of Mr. Speaker, this bill honors a man, whelming majorities by the Oversight and the Voting Rights Amendment in 1978, Sen- Senator Ed Brooke, but it also honors Government Reform Committee and once by ator Brooke made it clear, as he does today, an idea and an achievement, that we a two-to-one vote by the Judiciary Com- that this matter also was personal for him. He are all equal, and that election to the mittee. I ask that you join those Repub- said, in part, ‘‘[M]y enthusiastic endorsement licans and Democrats in voting for H.R. 1433 United States Senate is open to any of House Joint Resolution 554 is based pri- on the House floor. American who can prove to the voters marily on fundamental concepts of liberty and I am deeply grateful to you for your work that his or her ideas and character are and attention to voting rights for all Ameri- justice, but my support and interest are also appropriate and best represent their cans. intensely personal, for my roots are in Wash- State, regardless of race, creed or reli- Sincerely yours, ington, DC. I was born and raised here. I at- gion. We should take this opportunity EDWARD W. BROOKE, tended and graduated from Shaw Junior High to celebrate that notion. U.S. Senator, Retired. School, Dunbar High School, and Howard Uni- Senator EDWARD KENNEDY, the Massachu- versity. For as long as I can remember, I have I urge immediate passage. setts delegation, Congressional Black Caucus fought, along with family and friends and col- I reserve the balance of my time. Chair CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK, and I are proud leagues, to attain the goal of providing for the to introduce the Edward William Brooke III Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. How citizens of the District of Columbia the same much time remains, Mr. Speaker? Congressional Gold Medal Act. Senator Ed- rights and privileges that other citizens ward Brooke has been much honored as an The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- throughout the Nation have enjoyed.’’ Because tleman has 8 minutes left. outstanding two-term senator (1967–1979) the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest who is still remembered for his courage and honor that Congress can bestow, it is nec- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I yield independence on the difficult issues of his essary that at least 290 Representatives and myself 4 minutes. time—from the to his leading 67 Senators sign on as cosponsors. I urge I consider it a great honor to be able work in the passage of the Fair Housing Act every Member of the House and Senate to be- to stand on the floor of this House and of 1968. President Bush awarded Senator come cosponsors before the end of Black His- as the Chair of the committee bring Brooke the Presidential Medal of Freedom in tory Month on February 28th. out the bill that would honor Ed 2004. At 87, his autobiography, Bridging the Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, rarely, Brooke. As a citizen of Massachusetts Divide: My Life tells the Senator’s remarkable and rightly it is rare, do we honor one in 1972 and again in 1978, and as a fairly story. That story began here in the District of of our own with the highest civilian partisan Democrat, I was proud pub- Columbia, where Senator Brooke was born honor we can bestow, the Congres- licly to endorse him for reelection both and raised, and graduated from Dunbar High sional Gold Medal. But rules are made times to the Senate. School and Howard University. Senator to be broken, and just as Ed Brooke The gentlewoman from the District Brooke rose to the rank of captain in the seg- broke an unwritten rule and became of Columbia made the point he was the regated 366th Infantry Regiment in the U.S. the first African American popularly first African American elected attor- Army, and won a Bronze Star Medal and the elected to the Senate since Reconstruc- ney general and then to the Senate Distinguished Service Award. His autobiog- tion, we should break another and only shortly after this country offi- raphy reads like a personal and political ad- honor his courage and achievements. cially said segregation was morally and venture of a man born in the segregated cap- Just as it may be hard for college legally wrong. 1954 was the Brown v. ital, a city with no local elected officials or students of today to imagine seg- Board of Education decision, not made Members of Congress, who went on to be- regated bathrooms and drinking foun- final until 1955 in its decree. Seven come the first African American official elected tains, it is hard for all of us to imagine years later Ed Brooke is elected attor- statewide, when he won election as Attorney a Congress without African Americans ney general. And as we look back now, General, the second highest office in the state, and others of color. So it is especially it is probably difficult for some people and the only Republican to win statewide elec- important to think back to the historic to understand what an important ac- tion that year. In 1966, Senator Brooke be- day when this humble man took the complishment that was. But he is not a came the first African American elected by oath of office in the Senate 41 years man who should be honored simply for popular vote to the Senate of the United ago on January 3, 1967. The America of having broken those barriers, because States. ‘‘Trailblazer’’ does not aptly describe that time, as my colleague has noted, having gotten the opportunity, he used the courage it took for an African American to was not far past the struggles that led it. run, much less win state-wide office as a Re- to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, The committee I chair has jurisdic- publican in a predominately Democratic state, which this Chamber voted a couple of tion over housing. As I work in the where 2 percent of the population was African months ago to honor with a commemo- housing area, I find myself frequently American. rative coin. I take special pride and pleasure in intro- Mr. Speaker, many of us know the trying to preserve some of the pio- ducing this bill in the House, along with the general outline of Ed Brooke’s life: a neering efforts on behalf of affordable Massachusetts delegation and the chair of the soldier in the Second World War, a law- housing that Ed Brooke created. I was Congressional Black Caucus. My Massachu- yer whose 1966 book ‘‘The Challenge of very proud about a month or so ago setts colleagues justifiably claim Senator Change’’ focused on African Americans when he called to say that he liked Brooke as a son of Massachusetts. We in the in the United States and on politics. I what we were doing. District concede that Massachusetts voters doubt that many Members know I was just reminded, Mr. Speaker, also deserve credit in refusing to allow racial though that he was actually a native of when I was up in our State of Massa- barriers, that still remain formidable in most the District of Columbia, as the gentle- chusetts over the weekend, that it was States, overwhelm Senator Brooke’s qualifica- woman noted. in 1978, in his last year in the Senate, tions for high office. However, I hope that Born here October 26, 1919, he was a that Ed Brooke began the policy of Massachusetts citizens will forgive the resi- graduate of both Harvard and Boston saying that when housing had been dents of the Senator’s hometown if we insist University and followed in his father’s built with Federal help with a certain that Edward William Brooke III be counted the footsteps as a lawyer before being restriction that set it aside for lower

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:02 Jun 11, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10JN7.037 H10JNPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE H5166 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 10, 2008 income people and those restrictions ing for all. And I thank my good friend Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance expire, it shouldn’t be simply sold to from the District of Columbia. of my time. the highest bidder, but that public pol- Ed Brooke, as Ms. NORTON has made Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. icy ought to make some efforts to pre- clear, grew up in D.C., graduated from Speaker, I yield back the balance of serve it for people who were in need of Dunbar, Harvard University, and then, my time. housing. We are still fighting that fight of course, went on to be the editor of First I ask that all Members have 5 today. the Law Review at Boston University legislative days in which to submit We have something known as the and got a Bronze Medal for his service their comments and material on this Brooke amendment, one of the greatest in the military. matter. acts of compassion ever to pass this But I got to know Ed Brooke from a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there body. It said originally that the poor- different perspective. In fact, Terry objection to the request of the gen- est of the poor who get housing Lierman, who is now the chief of staff tleman from Massachusetts? through various public programs to our majority leader, and I were on There was no objection. shouldn’t be expected to pay more than the Appropriations staff when Ed The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 25 percent of their income for housing, Brooke was the ranking Republican. question is on the motion offered by precisely because they have so little. And what he did is incalculable in the gentleman from Massachusetts That was changed, regrettably, in the terms of school busing, in terms of (Mr. FRANK) that the House suspend eighties. I voted against it, but it was women’s reproductive rights, in the the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. changed to 30 percent. But it is still area of opening up federally-subsidized 682. there. It is still the Brooke amend- housing particularly, but housing The question was taken; and (two- ment. It is still a major barrier to a throughout the Nation to all. thirds being in the affirmative) the degradation in the quality of life of Ed Brooke was a temple of justice. rules were suspended and the Senate lower income people, because there are His intellect was unparalleled. But bill was passed. those who would make them pay 40 and what he exuded was a certain class, a A motion to reconsider was laid on 50 and 60 percent of their income, de- dignity that just transcended partisan- the table. priving them and their children of the ship. He was able to work with some of f necessities of life. So it is with great the, frankly, most narrow-minded RECOGNIZING THE 100 YEAR ANNI- pride that we fight and have fought to Members of the Senate to get them to VERSARY OF THE ESTABLISH- continue the Brooke amendment. take votes that were the right thing to MENT OF ST. MARY’S COOPERA- Senator Brooke was a leader in a do. And he took very little credit for it. TIVE CREDIT ASSOCIATION number of areas. Yes, he broke the bar- That is why this is so appropriate, to rier of racism and became the first Af- give him credit now, because he made a Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I move to rican American to win statewide office profound difference in the course our suspend the rules and agree to the reso- in Massachusetts and then to come to country took 30 years ago. lution (H. Res. 1145) recognizing the 100 the Senate at a time when racism was He would sit there in his calm, meas- year anniversary of the establishment even more virulent than it is today. We ured tone. He would explain why it is of St. Mary’s Cooperative Credit Asso- have made strides in diminishing it. right to open up all of society and all ciation, the ‘‘Bank of the People,’’ and But, as I said, he didn’t just do that. of our economy to everyone who was the birth of the American credit union. He was a leader in a number of areas, willing to work hard and obey the law. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- and particularly in the housing area. I Ed Brooke was a model that all of us tion. don’t believe anybody who has ever should look to for leadership. He was The text of the resolution is as fol- served in the Congress of the United an extraordinary person. This is an ex- lows: States has a record that exceeds his. traordinary action we are taking H. RES. 1145 So I am delighted to join under the today, but it is for someone who fully Whereas America’s first credit union was leadership of our colleague Senator deserves it. established in 1908, in Manchester, New KENNEDY and the gentlewoman from Again, I thank my colleagues here, Hampshire, in order to afford hard-working American textile workers access to credit the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) and I thank the Congress for making this happen today. and savings; in voting for this medal, the second Whereas the St. Mary’s Cooperative Credit medal, the third medal that Brooke I will yield the remainder of my time Association, later to be named the ‘‘Bank of will have gotten, because he got the to Mr. FRANK. the People’’, would lay the foundation for Presidential Medal of Freedom and he Mrs. CAPITO. I continue to reserve. the creation of over 8,500 credit unions in earned the Bronze Medal in World War Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. America today, which serve over 90,000,000 II, fighting in a segregated outfit, put- Speaker, I am about to yield back. members; ting patriotism ahead of the indignities Ed Brooke, in addition to being a su- Whereas on June 26, 1934, President Frank- to which he submitted in the fight perb United States Senator who fought lin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Federal Credit Union Act, thus enabling credit against that terrible tyranny. very hard and very effectively for eco- nomic fairness and obviously against unions to be organized throughout the This is a medal well earned by a man United States under the charters approved who exemplified the commitment to racial prejudice, but he also was the by the Federal Government; the public welfare that we could well chief law enforcement officer of the Whereas St. Mary’s Cooperative Credit As- remember today. Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 4 sociation and other credit unions created as Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that be- years. a result of the passage of the Federal Credit cause of the energy of a number of peo- Just to give people a flavor of that, I Union Act played an instrumental role in ple, we are going to be awarding this will mention one accomplishment. It helping hard-working Americans recover gold medal to a man who so richly de- was under his attorney generalship after the Great Depression; that the Boston Strangler was pros- Whereas credit unions have consistently serves it. carried on the traditions set by St. Mary’s I reserve the balance of my time. ecuted and imprisoned. So people who and exemplified the American values of Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I have no may not otherwise be able to relate thrift, self-help, and volunteers, carving out further speakers, so I will continue to should know. And if you saw him in the a special place for themselves among the Na- reserve the balance of my time. movie, I think he was played by Ray- tion’s financial institutions; Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I yield mond St. Jacques, but if you go see Whereas America’s Credit Union Museum, my remaining time to the gentleman again the movie of the Boston Stran- located on the site of America’s first credit from Virginia (Mr. MORAN). gler, you will see a part of that book. union, maintains a mission of ‘‘educating Mr. MORAN of Virginia. I thank my We are here to talk about a number of present and future generations on the bene- good friend, the chairman of our Finan- fits of cooperative self-help efforts to pro- other parts, including a superb legisla- mote thrift and sensible use of credit’’ and cial Services Committee, for the words tive record on behalf of social fairness. preserves the history and tradition of Amer- that he said about Ed Brooke. He I am prepared to yield back if the ica’s credit unions; would be one to know, another great gentlewoman is. Whereas credit unions operate with the leader in the area of opening up hous- Mrs. CAPITO. Yes. credo, ‘‘Not for profit, not for charity-but for

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:13 Jun 11, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10JN7.097 H10JNPT1 jbell on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE