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Home , Carl Stokes, Louis Stokes, Marcia Fudge, Tim Hagan

H5818 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 8, 2015 The sanctions by our country alone Rising from the public housing ied with no name at Arlington. And he were insufficient. But, as a global com- projects of , he and his broth- made sure that that area was espe- munity, we were sufficient. And that is er Carl became revered as they built a cially recognized, and he was writing where the P5+1 comes in. Listen care- more inclusive and representative history for America for the first time. fully to what those countries are say- America. What courage and passion I thought, wow, this isn’t 1870. This ing about a renegotiation, ‘‘not like- that required. was in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a ly.’’ A proud, personable, and gracious great teacher. So where are we? I believe we have to man whose fashion and manner exuded I shall sorely miss his dogged deter- support this deal that was put together dignity, it was actually never his aspi- mination, easy smile, keen and meas- by these six major countries, supported ration to be a politician. He opted in- ured counsel, and persevering nature. by the European Union and the United stead to serve the local neighborhoods The last time we were together was Nations. This is the path that would of Cleveland, where he grew up, after at a Fair Housing meeting in Cleve- block all paths to a nuclear weapon returning from 3 years of service in the land, , just a few months ago. that Iran might be able to pursue for at U.S. Army during World War II. Looking back on his generous attend- least the next 15 years and beyond. After using his GI benefits to go to ance at age 90 and looking in really I ask my colleagues to look hard at college, Lou served in the Veterans Ad- great shape, I think it was his way—he this. Unfortunately, a lot of the news- ministration and the Treasury Depart- hadn’t told anyone yet what was ailing papers are portraying this as a partisan ment before attending law school. He him, but I think it was his way of say- fight. I don’t believe it is. I know that loved the law. He loved being a lawyer, ing good-bye. What a gracious gentleman he was. many of my colleagues on the Demo- and he loved writing laws here. What a gifted leader has lived among cratic side and certainly what appears His enlightened leadership moved us. to be most Republicans, if not all, are America forward socially, economi- I am going to place in the CONGRES- opposed to the deal. I am certain many cally, and legally. In Congress, his gen- SIONAL RECORD a special story that was tlemanly demeanor and sharp intellect of them have their own reasons for in the Cleveland Plain Dealer entitled, allowed him to chair, again, as the first that opposition. ‘‘Lou Stokes—The Congressman, Lead- But I think, when you take a com- African American, the Appropriations ing Lawyer, and Towering Political prehensive look at this deal, when you subcommittee on Veterans, Housing Presence Has Died,’’ written by Brent look at all of the elements, that is, and Urban Development, and Inde- Larkin, Tom Diemer, and Sabrina what happens if there is no deal and pendent Agencies. Eaton of the Northeast Ohio Media Iran can immediately restart its nu- As a much newer, younger Member of Group. clear weapons program, you go, ‘‘Whoa. Congress, I had the great privilege of Though I won’t read the entire arti- That is not a good thing.’’ serving under him as he chaired that cle into the record tonight, let me just On the other hand, if this deal holds, important committee. read a few sentences: then Iran will be prevented from hav- He also chaired the House Select ‘‘We have been blessed as a family ing a nuclear weapon for at least 15 Committee on Assassinations and with a legacy we can always be proud years, quite probably 20 years. served on the House Select Committee of,’’ Lou Stokes said. ‘‘Together with Should they continue to honor the to investigate covert arms transactions Carl’’—his brother—‘‘we made a name nonproliferation treaty, then it would with Iran. His agile legal mind was evi- that stood for something. What greater go on indefinitely. That is a good dent in the investigations he con- honor could have come to two brothers thing. And, therefore, I support this ne- ducted. who grew up in poverty here in Cleve- gotiated deal and I ask my colleagues The people of Cleveland and Ohio land?’’ to do the same. have been blessed throughout his life And he tells a story about his moth- With that, Mr. Speaker, I have com- and hold abiding gratitude for his ex- er. He would always get tears in his pleted my time on the floor. traordinary accomplishments and gen- eyes when he would talk of his mother. I notice that two of my colleagues erous spirit. I can still hear his laugh. She had become ill at one point, and he are here to speak to the passing of one I am privileged, actually, to have went to visit her. of our Members of this House who served with Congressman Stokes for al- And he said, ‘‘I took her hands to served here for many, many years. most a quarter century and hold last- give her some comfort and, when I felt f ing memories of his deep love for his those hard, cold hands from scrubbing wife, for his mother, for his brother, for floors in order to give me an education, HONORING REPRESENTATIVE his children, and his grandchildren. I began to understand what her life was He had indefatigable and inspired ef- about, what her life meant.’’ And that The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under forts to gain respect and equal justice piercing memory Lou carried with him the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- in the law for all of our citizens. And every day of his life. uary 6, 2015, the gentlewoman from he saw progress, great progress, in his ‘‘Beginning in junior high school, Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is recognized for the lifetime that we have so far to go. Stokes took jobs delivering the Cleve- remainder of the hour as the designee I witnessed his perseverance in build- land News, shining shoes, and working of the minority leader. ing America’s communities forward in a small factory that made canned Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I would and his dedication to meeting our Na- whipped cream.’’ like to extend deepest thanks to Con- tion’s obligations to veterans, to ad- When he was 16, a man named Isadore gressman GARAMENDI for sharing his vance space science, and to catapult Apisdorf hired him to perform odd jobs time with us and, also, to Congress- Cleveland’s health and human services at his Army-Navy surplus store on woman , who to the top rung of national assets. lower Prospect Avenue. Seeing some- has been waiting almost an hour to I have so many memories of Con- thing in the youngster, Apisdorf ig- share her memories of a very great gressman Stokes. I can remember one nored the risk to his business in those American. time in a subcommittee he had the days and hired Stokes as a salesman. We are here this evening, Mr. Speak- head of Arlington Cemetery come up, When speaking of his early years, er, and we rise to honor the illustrious and he had these big volumes that he Stokes always remembered to mention career of a dear friend and stellar col- brought with him of who were the vet- the kindness demonstrated to him by a league, the late Congressman Louis erans who were interred there. man ‘‘who sort of acted like a father to Stokes from Cleveland, Ohio. And Congressman Stokes pointed out me,’’ Congressman Stokes said. Our hearts are heavy, but immensely to the entire committee, ‘‘Go down and Stokes graduated from Central High grateful for his path-breaking life and read the roster.’’ And the roster said, School in 1943. And with World War II legendary generous service. As the first ‘‘No name,’’ ‘‘No name,’’ ‘‘No name,’’ raging, he joined the Army and was as- African American Member of Congress ‘‘No name.’’ And Congressman Stokes signed to a segregated unit that re- elected to serve from Ohio, he wrote informed us that, in fact, those were mained Stateside, mainly in the south. new history for America, for Ohio, Africa Americans who had died in serv- Stokes recalled a layover his unit every day of his life. ice to our country, but they were bur- once had in Memphis where a group of

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:35 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08SE7.051 H08SEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HOUSE September 8, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5819 German prisoners of war in a train sta- chair the Intelligence Committee and serve worked for a time for the Veterans Adminis- tion restaurant were treated better on the influential House Appropriations tration and Treasury Department before than the Black soldiers. Committee. graduating from Cleveland State Univer- In Cleveland, Stokes’ political muscle was Louis Stokes embodied so many sity’s Cleveland Marshall College of Law in the 21st Congressional District Caucus, a po- 1953. memories and so much progress that he litical organization founded by his late Stokes opened up a small law office on St. helped not just Cleveland, not just brother that became so powerful, its ability Clair Avenue, and was later joined by his Ohio, but our country and people ev- to influence election outcomes sometimes brother. Carl also became a lawyer and, in erywhere to persevere, no matter what surpassed that of the Cuyahoga County 1962, became the first black Democrat elect- the odds. Democratic Party. ed to the Ohio House. I shall miss him. What a gifted leader When Stokes and the caucus urged Demo- Around this time, Stokes drew the atten- has lived among us. I know all of the crats in his district to vote against a sitting tion of Norman Minor, considered one of the Democratic president in the Ohio presi- greatest lawyers in Ohio history and the people of Ohio join me, as do our col- dential primary in 1980, they did just that, greatest black lawyer Cleveland ever pro- leagues, in saying: May the angels supporting Massachusetts Sen. Edward Ken- duced. carry him to a deserved, peaceful rest nedy over President by a mar- ‘‘I tried to be like Norman Minor in every close to the heart of God. gin of nearly 2–1. way I could,’’ Stokes recalled in 2014. ‘‘Carl There are other Members that wish Stokes never lost an election. Nor did he loved politics. I didn’t have that love. I loved to speak this evening. I just feel very forget where he came from. being a lawyer.’’ honored to be here. I can still see Lou And he never strayed from his commit- MAKING HISTORY ment to expand political and economic op- in the cloakroom in the back with his On the night of Nov. 7, 1967, Stokes sat portunities for minorities. with Martin Luther King Jr. in the Rocke- good friend, Bill Clay, and some of the In an interview at his home just a month feller Building just west of Public Square, guys. We weren’t included, as women, before his death and days after he learned of and experienced what he described as ‘‘a pio- his terminal illness, Stokes emotionally in those conversations, but we re- neering political event for America’’—Carl reminisced on his storybook life. spected them. Stokes’ election as the nation’s first black, ‘‘I was a very blessed guy,’’ he began. ‘‘I’ve And he was always cordial. He always big-city mayor. sort of stood halfway turned so he been blessed with the opportunity to partici- In 1965 and again two years later, King had pate in history, to rise to opportunities I could say hello to those Members going made numerous trips to Cleveland aimed at never envisioned . . . and to provide for peo- registering blacks to vote. lost by. He had a special gracious manner ple opportunities that, in many cases, they about him. the 1965 mayoral primary by about 1,700 would have never had. votes. Two years later, he beat Republican ‘‘We have been blessed as a family with a [From Cleveland.com, Aug. 19, 2015] by about 2,500 votes. legacy we can always be proud of. Together LOU STOKES—THE CONGRESSMAN, LEADING Lou Stokes said King was ‘‘tremendously with Carl, we made a name that stood for LAWYER AND TOWERING POLITICAL PRES- helpful’’ to his brother in both those elec- something. ENCE HAS DIED tions. ‘‘What greater honor could have come to (By Brent Larkin) Less than a month after his brother’s win- two brothers who grew up in poverty here in ning election, Stokes enjoyed his own first CLEVELAND, OH.—Louis Stokes, whose Cleveland?’’ moment of fame, arguing a case before the iconic career in public life assures him a HUMBLE BEGINNINGS U.S. Supreme Court. place as one of the most revered, respected Lou Stokes was born Feb. 23, 1925, the first The case involved John Terry, a Cleveland and powerful figures in Cleveland history, of two children born to Charles and Louise man suspected of preparing to rob a Euclid died Tuesday night. Stokes. Carl was born a little more than two Avenue store downtown in 1963. Terry and He was 90. years later. two others were stopped on the sidewalk by The older brother of former Mayor Carl B. Their father died when Lou was three, and a Cleveland policeman, who frisked Terry Stokes had an aggressive form of cancer, di- Louise Stokes took an $8–a-day job as a do- and found a gun. agnosed in late June. mestic worker at homes in the eastern sub- The landmark case of Terry v. Ohio upheld A proud, personable and gracious man urbs. To help raise the young boys in their the arrest, but allowed police to stop and whose dress and manner exuded dignity, small apartment on East 69th Street, frisk suspects only when the officer has a Stokes never wanted to be a politician, as- Louise’s mother moved to Cleveland from ‘‘reasonable suspicion’’ the suspect is about piring instead to become Cleveland’s leading Georgia. to commit a crime, and may be armed and black lawyer. Stokes spoke often and with great emotion dangerous. But the reluctant officeholder who came to of his mother, and her repeated lectures on That same year, another landmark Su- Congress in 1969 left it 30 years later as a the importance of an education. preme Court ruling known as ‘‘one man, one towering political figure both in Washington ‘‘One night, she was lying in bed ill and I vote’’ led to Carl Stokes and Gov. James and at home. went into her room and sat with her,’’ Rhodes collaborating in the creation of a Mayor Frank Jackson was one of dozens to Stokes recalled during an interview last year new, majority-minority congressional dis- publicly mourn the death of his longtime at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. trict comprised of Cleveland’s East Side and friend. ‘‘I took her hands to give her some com- some eastern suburbs. ‘‘Congressman Louis Stokes’ long career in fort. And when I felt those hard, cold hands At his brother’s urging, a reluctant Lou public life was a model of how to serve with from scrubbing floors in order to give me an Stokes put his law career on hold and be- dignity, integrity and honor,’’ Jackson said. education, I began to understand what she came a candidate. In the Democratic pri- ‘‘His service paved the way for many who meant.’’ mary, Stokes beat 13 opponents, including would follow in both public and private ca- Beginning in junior high, Stokes took jobs George Forbes, Leo Jackson and George reers. I know full well that, but for him, I delivering the Cleveland News, shining shoes White. would have never had the opportunity to be- and working in a small factory that made In January 1969, Stokes entered Congress come mayor.’’ canned whip cream. along with Shirley Chisholm of New York For more than three decades, Stokes, his When Stokes was 16, Isadore Apisdorf hired and William ‘‘Bill’’ Clay of Missouri. Their brother, former Council President George him to perform odd jobs at his Army-Navy elections brought to nine the number of Forbes, and former Cleveland School Board surplus store on lower Prospect Avenue. See- blacks in Congress. President Arnold Pinkney dominated every ing something in the youngster, Apisdorf ig- Stokes immediately began to make his aspect of black political life in the city. nored the risks to his business and hired mark, becoming a founding member of the Now, only Forbes survives. Stokes as a salesman. Congressional Black Caucus a little more ‘‘The four of us had parallel careers in pub- When speaking of his early years, Stokes than a year after taking office. lic life,’’ Forbes said. ‘‘It was not unusual for always remembered to mention the kindness Always served well by his personality, some of the things we did or said to be ques- demonstrated to him by a man ‘‘who sort of Stokes was a tall, hard-working man with a tioned. But not Lou Stokes. If he said it, or acted like a father to me.’’ loud, infectious laugh. His gentle nature did it, it was like a pronouncement from Stokes graduated from Central High masked a steely commitment—and, at times, Sinai. It was the gospel. It was the last word. School in 1943. With World War II raging, he he was viewed as a bit too thin-skinned. Nev- No one disagreed with him.’’ joined the Army and was assigned to a seg- ertheless, among his colleagues, Stokes was Stokes’ resume in the House included regated unit that remained stateside, mainly always considered one of the body’s most stints as chairman of the select committee in the South. Stokes recalled a layover his popular members. that from 1976 to 1978 investigated the assas- unit once had in Memphis where a group of When Tip O’Neill became speaker of the sinations of President John F. Kennedy and German prisoners of war in a train station U.S. House in 1977, Stokes’ career took off. Martin Luther King Jr., chairman of the restaurant were treated better than the O’Neill’s respect for Stokes earned him pres- House Ethics Committee, a member of the black soldiers. tigious and powerful committee assign- House select committee that investigated After the war, Stokes attended Western ments, which often translated into federal the Iran-Contra affair, and the first black to Reserve University on the G.I. Bill. He spending on projects important to Cleveland.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:15 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K08SE7.053 H08SEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HOUSE H5820 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 8, 2015 ‘‘We had a very special relationship,’’ the House. Two years later, at age 71, Stokes younger brother, Carl B. Stokes, the Stokes said of O’Neill during his July 14 had open heart surgery at the Cleveland first African American mayor of a interview. ‘‘He used to call me ‘Louie, my Clinic and a tumor removed from his vocal major American city, elected in 1967. pal.’ He gave me some very tough assign- cords. ments.’’ When, in April 1996, Carl Stokes died of Prior to serving in Congress, Mr. In 1987, Stokes had a memorable back-and- cancer, Stokes lost his best friend. Stokes served as a civil rights lawyer. forth with Oliver North during the Iran- THE DENOUEMENT He was the first African American to Contra hearings, telling the Marine Corps By 1998, after 30 years in office, Stokes de- represent the State of Ohio in Congress lieutenant colonel, ‘‘While I admire your cided not to seek re-election. and was a founding member of the Con- love for America, I just hope you will never On the day he announced his retirement, gressional Black Caucus. Throughout forget that others, too, love America just as Plain Dealer columnist Elizabeth Auster much as you do—and . . . will die for Amer- his tenure in the House, he chaired sev- wrote, ‘‘Stokes brought more than money ica just as quickly as you will.’’ eral congressional committees and was home from Washington. He also brought THE POWER BROKER the first African American to win a laughter and inspiration and pride. And seat on the House Committee on Ap- Back in Cleveland, the 1971 decision by sometimes those are harder to come by.’’ Carl Stokes to leave town for a television ca- Then-Cleveland Mayor Michael White said propriations. reer in New York instead of seeking a third of Stokes, ‘‘Someone will fill his seat, but I During his long tenure in Congress, term as mayor created a significant power don’t think anyone will ever fill his shoes.’’ he headed and participated in several vacuum within the black political establish- It was always a foregone conclusion major House investigations. In March ment. Stokes’ job would pass to Stephanie Tubbs of 1977, he was appointed to lead the Stokes moved decisively to fill that vacu- Jones, county prosecutor at the time. When um, and Democratic leaders awarded him a Tubbs Jones died unexpectedly in 2008, Select Committee on Assassinations, co-chairmanship of the county party. But became only the third person formed to conduct an investigation of Forbes and Arnold Pinkney were becoming to hold the seat. the circumstances surrounding the powerful black political figures in their own In retirement, Stokes became senior coun- deaths of President John F. Kennedy right. sel at the Cleveland-based law firm of what and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For the next 10 to 15 years, the inevitable was then Squire Sanders & Dempsey. He He also served as the chairman of the tensions that arise with power-sharing led to served on several corporate boards, including public disagreements and some angry private Forest City Enterprises. House Permanent Select Committee on moments—with Call and Post founder and When asked in the July interview about Intelligence and became the first Afri- publisher W.O. Walker often serving as a me- the lack of civility in Washington today, can American Member of Congress to diator. Stokes said he was sometimes embarrassed head this committee. Over time, those strains disappeared. And to be a former member of Congress. while Forbes would eventually cement a leg- He was the dean of the Ohio congres- ‘‘I have members of Congress whom I see, sional delegation. His work in the area acy as the most powerful City Council presi- on both sides of the aisle, and they tell me, dent in Cleveland history and Pinkney twice ‘Louie, you wouldn’t want to be here now.’ of health led to his appointment as a waged competitive campaigns for mayor and It’s a waste of your time and intellect to be member of the Pepper Commission of became a nationally recognized political involved there now and see how difficult it is comprehensive health care, and he was consultant, there was never any doubt who to concentrate on doing what’s best for peo- the founder and chairman of the Con- owned the magic political name. ple—considering you were sent there to help gressional Black Caucus Health That name at times moved Stokes and the people. That’s gone now.’’ Braintrust. In 1981, he chaired the 21st Congressional District Caucus to part Stokes retired from the law firm in 2012, ways with the Democratic Party. And House Committee on Standards of Offi- and resigned from the Forest City board last cial Conduct. Stokes was not above using the caucus as a year. In recent months, he spent time assist- weapon to punish and defeat candidates he ing his daughter, Cleveland Municipal Court When Louis Stokes retired in 1998, he believed did not deserve black votes. Judge Angela Stokes, who is contesting dis- became the first African American in The caucus’ influence was often most pro- ciplinary charges filed against her by the the history of the U.S. Congress to re- nounced in down-the-ballot races for judge Ohio Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Counsel. tire after 30 years of service. Following and other offices. But in the 1977 election for Besides Angela, he is survived by his wife mayor, one of the most competitive and dra- his service in Congress, he became a of 55 years, Jeanette (Jay); daughter Shelley senior counsel at Squire, Sanders & matic in the city’s history, support from the Stokes-Hammond, retired public affairs di- Stokes brothers probably made the dif- rector at ; daughter Lori, Dempsey, LLP, a global law firm, and ference in ’s victory over a television news anchor in ; distinguished visiting professor at the Democratic Party-backed Edward Feighan. son Chuck, editorial and public affairs direc- Mandel School of Applied Social Tim Hagan served as Feighan’s de facto tor at a Detroit television station; and seven Sciences at Case Western Reserve Uni- campaign manager. Several months after the grandchildren. election, he would become chairman of the versity. Funeral arrangements are pending. county’s Democratic Party. He also served as a vice chairman of ‘‘If Congressman Stokes was with you, it Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the Pew Environmental Health Com- gave you unquestioned credibility with the EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, who I mission at the Johns Hopkins School of people he represented,’’ said Hagan. ‘‘It made know was a very, very dear friend of Public Health and was appointed by the difference between winning or losing an Congressman Stokes. I thank her so the former Health and Human Services election. Lou’s endorsement was the most much for joining us this evening. important endorsement a candidate sought.’’ Secretary, Donna Shalala, as chairman There were a few stumbles, but none b 2100 of the Advisory Committee on Minor- major. And they did little or nothing to tar- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of ity Health. nish Stokes’ relationship with his constitu- Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to As a founding member of the Con- ents. [In 1983, following a late-night session gressional Black Caucus, he engineered of Congress, he was convicted on a minor join Congresswoman KAPTUR in sharing charge of driving under the influence and some sentiments. a vehicle that would foster collabora- also of running a red light; Stokes said he Mr. Speaker, I stand in recognition of tion and strategic alliances for genera- was overly tired but sober, but decided not the late Congressman Louis Stokes, a tions. Because of his visionary leader- to appeal the jury verdict.] In the early dear friend and a tremendous patriot, ship, we all benefit from an organiza- 1990s, he had 551 overdrafts at the House who dedicated his life to serving our tion powerful enough to engage, em- Bank, most for small amounts. great Nation. He was dedicated to ex- power, and excite generations of Afri- In 1993, Stokes reached the height of his can American leaders who influence power in Congress, joining the prestigious panding political and economic oppor- ‘‘College of Cardinals’’ when he became chair tunities for all Americans, and he was the political landscape, impact the out- of the Appropriations subcommittee for the determined to transcend the culture of come of elections, and serve as strong Veterans Administration and Housing and discrimination and injustice. voices for those weakened by poverty, Urban Development. It was a position that Louis Stokes rose from humble be- discrimination, and lack of oppor- gave Stokes enormous say in how and where ginnings in the local housing projects tunity. tens of billions in federal dollars were spent. of Cleveland, Ohio, to serve 30 years in Mr. Speaker, I am proud and honored The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Cen- the U.S. House of Representatives. He to have had the privilege of serving ter on East 105th Street is one of several Cleveland buildings named in his honor. was first elected in 1968. Reluctant to with this Congressman. I was inspired But his enthusiasm for the job would soon enter the political arena, Stokes was by his intelligence, preparation, dig- wane. In 1994, Republicans took control of persuaded to run for office by his nity, generosity, and forward thinking.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:15 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08SE7.029 H08SEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HOUSE September 8, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5821 He leaves behind a legacy that inspires vealed some of what he was able to brary and taught a TCU course called not only those who served with him, bring as a negotiator and a statesman Congress and the Presidents for more but a generation of future leaders. to the work here. than 20 years. His intention to keep the I am grateful for this vision that he He was a passionate fighter for the class small was simply impossible, as had, his integrity, his grace, his friend- people of our country, especially those his enrollment grew at an increasing ship, and his mentorship. of ordinary means who might not have rate every year. Ms. KAPTUR. Thank you, Congress- their voices heard, and when he got Speaker Wright always treated me woman EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of into a topic that he loved, he was abso- graciously. Here I was from Ohio, a Texas, a long way from Cleveland, for lutely unstoppable. completely different part of the coun- your great service and for sharing your He was a gifted orator. He spoke with try, but I appreciate the fact that he memories of our beloved friend, Con- all of his heart, and he elevated this assisted my efforts to seek a seat on gressman Louis Stokes. House and the people who served in it. the Committee on Appropriations—it GENERAL LEAVE He loved Congress. He referred to it as took me over a decade to arrive there— Ms. KAPTUR. I know others want to a heady place to be, where Members of since no one from our part of Ohio had enter material in the RECORD in mem- both political parties should cooperate ever served on it. ory of Congressman Stokes. to make America a world leader and to He saw the exclusion, and he helped Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- build and support a strong middle me. I am so grateful to him forever for sent that all Members have 5 legisla- class. that and what I have been able to do to tive days within which to revise and His early life growing up during the help the country in that position. extend their remarks and include ex- Great Depression had a permanent im- He and I shared many experiences traneous material on the subject of print on him, and he never forgot the and pursuits during our shared years in this Special Order. common person. His service in the Congress, but one of my favorite The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Army during World War II instilled in memories is something we had in com- objection to the request of the gentle- him a life of service and a dedication to mon, and that was a love of gardening woman from Ohio? help those less fortunate, but also a and roses. He was especially fond of a There was no objection. passion for liberty. gray-purplish variety of rose that he Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I also His legislative achievements were le- had raised to perfection. He just loved wanted to mention that Congressman gion. He helped create the Clean Water life. Stokes’ beautiful wife, Jeanette, who Act and the Interstate Highway Sys- Speaker Wright would often quote was at his side through all his years of tem, and he helped guarantee benefits Horace Greeley in saying: ‘‘Fame is a service; his daughters, Angela, Shelley, for returning veterans. I remember vapor; popularity an accident; riches Lori; his son, Chuck; and seven grand- what a master he was. I believe he take wings; those who cheer today may children. chaired the House Public Works Com- curse tomorrow; only one thing en- What an amazing family—the Stokes mittee and rose from there. dures—character.’’ family has made many contributions to I can still see him making the case, Speaker Wright was certainly a man Ohio and to our country, but I think right at this podium here in the House, of great character and great talent and Jeanette and Congressman Stokes are for a modern transportation bill, clink- ability and great accomplishment. proudest of the children and grand- ing dimes in a large glass bowl to say We shall miss him greatly. May the children that they have raised. They that we have to pay our way forward hearts of his loved ones, his beloved have represented the family well dur- here. He understood what it took to wife, Betty; his four children; 15 grand- ing this most difficult time. build and maintain a great nation’s children; 24 great-grandchildren; and HONORING SPEAKER JIM WRIGHT prosperity. He was a terrific, terrific his sister Betty Lee Wright be warmed Ms. KAPTUR. I would like to turn to orator. by the light of his memory and the leg- a different subject, if I might, in the re- In foreign affairs, Speaker Wright acy of liberty he bestowed upon us all maining time. had a contribution that one could de- and the great affection we shall always Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago, scribe as profound. He was a peace- have for him in our hearts. there was a Special Order that was maker. He visited the Middle East and May God bless the Wright family. given on Speaker Jim Wright, and I facilitated the meeting that led to the Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance was unable, because of duties in Ohio, accord between Israel and Egypt in of my time. to join my remarks to those of his 1977. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, Louis friends and colleagues here in the Con- More than a decade later, he led a Stokes rose from the local housing projects to gress. I rise tonight to honor him for successful push for a compromise that serve 30 years in the U.S. House, becoming the leader and master of the legislative would end the war between the Sandi- a potent symbol for his Cleveland-based ma- process that Speaker Jim Wright of nista government and the Contras in jority-black district. Reluctant to enter the polit- Fort Worth, Texas, was. Nicaragua. Over time, his approach ical arena, Stokes was persuaded to run for He approached life with an eager and would lead to the end of U.S. military office by his prominent brother and by commu- courageous mission and a true demo- financing and the start of democrat- nity members he had served for decades as a cratic heart. He loved this House. He ically held elections there. How many civil rights lawyer. just loved it. He just basked in its Americans can say they have ever been His accomplishments were substantive and glory and its power, and he had the involved in something of that mag- of historic proportions. The first Black to rep- keenness of intellect, the balance of nitude? resent Ohio, Stokes chaired several congres- knowledge, the intuition, the direction, In his farewell speech before Con- sional committees (including the Permanent and the wisdom that comes from the gress, Speaker Wright said: ‘‘When Select Intelligence Committee) and was the long years of experience that he had at vengeance becomes more desirable first African American to win a seat on the the level of Fort Worth and then the than vindication, harsh personal at- powerful House Appropriations Committee. State of Texas and then, obviously, fed- tacks on one another’s motives, one He used his success to try to increase op- erally. another’s character, drown out the portunities for millions of , He was a veteran of World War II and quiet logic of serious debate on impor- saying, ‘‘I’m going to keep on denouncing the had been a pilot and received the Dis- tant issues, things that we ought to be inequities of this system, but I’m going to work tinguished Flying Cross. He was involved ourselves in, surely that is un- within it. To go outside the system would be truly—truly—a courageous hero for our worthy of our institution, unworthy of to deny myself—to deny my own existence. country and chose to serve then in our American political process. All of I’ve beaten the system. I’ve proved it can be elected life. us in both parties must resolve to bring done—so have a lot of others.’’ Stokes contin- What I will forever remember of him this period of mindless cannibalism to ued, ‘‘But the problem is that a black man has was his dignity and his strength. His an end. There has been enough of it.’’ to be extra special to win in this system. Why personal ability to also forgive those Speaker Wright returned to Fort should you have to be a super black to get who sought to harm him and move on Worth where he donated his official pa- someplace? That’s what’s wrong in the soci- was an amazing trait, and I think it re- pers to Texas Christian University’s li- ety. The ordinary black man doesn’t have the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:35 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K08SE7.055 H08SEPT1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HOUSE H5822 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 8, 2015 same chance as the ordinary white man leaders disbanded it entirely in the mid- ticularly forceful critic of the Reagan adminis- does.’’ 1970s.) tration’s foreign policy. He gained national Louis Stokes was born on February 23, During his second term in the House, prominence as a member of the House Select 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Lou- Stokes earned a seat on the Appropriations Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Trans- ise Cinthy (Stone) Stokes. His father worked Committee. During more than two decades on actions with Iran when he grilled Lieutenant in a laundromat and died when Louis was the committee, Stokes steered hundreds of Colonel Oliver North in 1987 about his role in young. Stokes and his younger brother, Carl, millions of federal dollars into projects in his funding anticommunist Nicaraguan Contras were raised by their widowed mother, whose home state. He eventually became an Appro- through weapons sales to Tehran. At one salary as a domestic was supplemented by priations subcommittee chair, or ‘‘cardinal,’’ for juncture he reminded North, ‘‘I wore [the uni- welfare payments. Louis Stokes supplemented Veterans, HUD, and Independent Agencies. form] as proudly as you do, even when our the family income by shining shoes around the Stokes was the second African-American ‘‘car- government required black and white soldiers Cleveland projects and clerking at an Army/ dinal’’ ever (the first, of California, in the same Army to live, sleep, eat and travel Navy store. He attended Cleveland’s public chaired the DC Subcommittee). Years later, separate and apart, while fighting and dying schools and served as a personnel specialist Stokes said of the Appropriations Committee, for our country.’’ in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He re- ‘‘It’s the only committee to be on. All the rest House leaders repeatedly sought to cap- turned home with an honorable discharge, tak- is window dressing.’’ In addition to chairing an italize on Stokes’s image as a stable, trust- ing jobs in the Veterans Administration and Appropriations subcommittee, Stokes is one of worthy, and competent adjudicator—turning to Treasury Department offices in Cleveland fewer than two dozen African Americans ever him to lead high-profile committees and han- while attending college at night with the help to chair a House committee and one of just a dle controversial national issues, as well as of the GI Bill. He attended the Cleveland Col- handful to wield the gavel on multiple panels: the occasional ethics scandals in the House. lege of Western Reserve University from 1946 the Permanent Select Committee on Intel- When Representative Henry Gonzalez of to 1948. Stokes eventually earned a J.D. from ligence (100th Congress), the Committee on Texas resigned as chairman of the Select the Cleveland Marshall School of Law in 1953 Standards of Official Conduct (97th–98th Con- Committee on Assassinations, Speaker Thom- and, with his brother, opened the law firm gresses, 102nd Congress), and the Select as P. (Tip) O’Neill of Massachusetts tapped Stokes and Stokes. On August 21, 1960, Committee on Assassinations (95th Con- Stokes to lead the panel, which was inves- Louis Stokes married Jeanette (Jay) Francis, gress). tigating the circumstances surrounding the and they raised four children: Shelly, Louis C., The growing ranks of black Members sought deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Angela, and Lorene. to create a power base, realizing—in the Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1978, Stokes’s com- He devoted himself to his law practice, words of Representative William (Bill) Clay, Sr. mittee filed 27 volumes of hearings and a final where he became involved in a number of civil of Missouri they ‘‘had to parlay massive voting report that recommended administrative and rights—related cases—often working pro bono potential into concrete economic results.’’, As legislative reforms. While the panel found that on behalf of poor clients and activists. He was freshman House Members, Stokes and Clay the King and the Kennedy murders may have an active participant in civic affairs. Working quickly developed an enduring friendship and involved multiple assassins (James Earl Ray on behalf of the Cleveland NAACP, Stokes became strong supporters of the formation of and Lee Harvey Oswald have traditionally helped challenge the Ohio legislature’s redis- the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), to been described as lone killers), it concluded tricting in 1965 that followed the Supreme promote economic, educational, and social there was no evidence to support assertions Court’s ‘‘one man, one vote’’ decision. issues that were important to African Ameri- of a broad conspiracy involving domestic The state legislature had fragmented the cans. This strategy dovetailed with Stokes’s groups or foreign governments—an assess- congressional districts that overlay Cleveland, perception of his role as an advocate for the ment that has been upheld for the past three diluting black voting strength. Stokes joined ‘‘black community’’ in his district. Stokes decades. The committee did suggest that Os- forces with Charles Lucas, a black Repub- served as chairman of the CBC for two con- wald may have had an accomplice on Dealey lican, to challenge that action. They lost their secutive terms beginning in 1972, after Chair- Plaza, where Kennedy was killed in November case in U.S. District Court, but based on man , Jr., of Michigan resigned 1963. Stokes’s written appeal, the U.S. Supreme from the post. A centrist, Stokes was widely Stokes’s chairmanship of the Select Com- Court agreed with the brief in 1967. From that credited with shepherding the group away mittee on Assassinations led to his appoint- decision followed the creation of Ohio’s first from the polarizing politics of various black ment by Speaker O’Neill in 1981 as chairman majority-black district. Later that year, in De- factions toward a more stable and organized of the House Committee on Standards of Offi- cember 1967, Stokes made an oral argument policy agenda. cial Conduct (often called the Ethics Com- before the U.S. Supreme Court in Terry v. Using his position as CBC chairman and his mittee). Stokes steered the panel through a Ohio, a precedent-setting case that defined increasing influence on the Appropriations turbulent period that included investigations of the legality of police search and seizure proce- Committee, Representative Stokes pushed a Members implicated in the Federal Bureau of dures. legislative agenda that mirrored the needs of Investigation’s ABSCAM sting and a sex scan- At his brother Carl’s behest Louis Stokes his majority-black district. He earned a reputa- dal that involved two House Members and cur- made his first run for elective office in 1968. tion as a congenial but determined activist for rent and former House Pages. He sought to win the seat in the newly created minority issues, consistently scoring as one of During the 1990s, Stokes’s seniority made congressional district that encompassed much the most liberal Members of the House in the him an influential voice on the Appropriations of the east side of Cleveland. Stokes was Americans for Democratic Action and the Committee. In 1993, at the start of the 103rd hardly a typical newcomer to the political cam- American Federation of Labor and Congress Congress, he assumed the chairman’s gavel paign. First, his brother, Mayor Stokes, put the of Industrial Organizations vote tallies. He ad- of the Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Inde- services of his political network at Louis’s dis- vocated more funding for education (particu- pendent Agencies, which controlled one of the posal. Stokes won by a landslide. He won his larly for minority colleges), affirmative action largest chunks of discretionary spending in the subsequent 14 general elections by lopsided programs to employ more blacks, housing and federal budget. Stokes prodded federal agen- margins in the heavily Democratic district tak- urban development projects, and initiatives to cies to hire and serve more minorities. Repub- ing as much as 88 percent of the vote. improve access to health care for working- licans praised him for his nonpartisan leader- As a freshman Representative, Stokes re- class Americans. In the 1980s, Stokes vocal- ship of the subcommittee, but when the GOP ceived assignments on the Education and ized black concerns that the Ronald W. won control of the House in the 1994 elec- Labor Committee and the Internal Security Reagan administration was intent on rolling tions, and Stokes became the Ranking Mem- Committee (formerly the House Un-American back minority gains made in the 1960s and ber of the panel, he often found himself fight- Activities Committee). He enthusiastically ac- 1970s. He described conservative efforts to ing Republican efforts to trim federal spending cepted the former assignment, believing Edu- scale back school desegregation efforts and that involved cutting welfare programs, includ- cation and Labor would be a prime platform affirmative action programs—as well as mas- ing public housing. from which he could push the agenda for his sive spending on military programs—as a ‘‘full In January 1998, Stokes announced his re- urban district: job training, economic oppor- scale attack’’ on the priorities of the black tirement from the House, noting that he want- tunity, and educational interests. But Stokes community. He also was an early advocate of ed to leave ‘‘without ever losing an election.’’ was less pleased with the Internal Security federal government intervention in the fight Moreover, a new generation of rising black panel, which had lapsed into an increasingly against HIV/AIDS. politicians Cleveland was displacing those of irrelevant entity since its heyday investigating From his seat on the Permanent Select Stokes’s generation. Among his proudest ac- communists in the 1940s and 1950s. (House Committee on Intelligence, Stokes was a par- complishments as a Representative, Stokes

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House. ‘‘When I started this journey, I realized uary 6, 2015, the Chair recognizes the Christ’s words, of course, are true. that I was the first black American ever to hold gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. RUS- Iranian deeds speak louder than words. this position in this state,’’ Stokes told a news- SELL) for 30 minutes. paper reporter. ‘‘I had to write the book . . . Mr. RUSSELL. Mr. Speaker, it is a The problem is both word and deed are I was going to set a standard of excellence psychological fact of life that, when it reprehensible, which should cause us that would give any successor something to comes to human beings, the best pre- even more alarm. Don’t believe me? Here are the facts shoot for.’’ After his congressional career, dictor of future behavior is past behav- Louis Stokes resumed his work as a lawyer. of Iranian actions under this regime. ior, period, end of story. 1979, hostage crisis. From the mo- He was a great American Hero—to be ad- Psychologists who study human be- ment this regime came into being, the mired and remembered by us all. havior agree that past behavior is a first act was to overrun the United Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to re- useful marker for future behavior, but member the life of a truly remarkable man— States Embassy in Tehran, terrorizing only under certain specific conditions. 66 American hostages for 444 days, former Congressman Louis B. Stokes, who For example, high-frequency, habitual passed away last month at the age of 90. most of them, and forcing abandon- behaviors are more predictive than in- ment of our U.S. Embassy and con- It was my honor to meet with Congressman frequent behaviors. Predictions work Stokes when I was a staffer in the office of sulates. best if done over short periods of time, 1982–1992, Lieutenant Colonel William Congressman . I later had the based upon these behaviors. The antici- Buckley, the CIA Station Chief and honor to serve with him as a member of the pated situation must be essentially the Vietnam warrior, decorated for valor, House of Representatives as we worked to same as the past situation that acti- is tortured and brutally murdered. secure funding for homeless shelters in my vated the behavior in the first place. David Anderson, a reporter of great district. Also, the behavior did not change by renown, was captured and held for 7 Congressman Stokes was a trailblazer. corrective or negative action or feed- Born in Cleveland in 1925, he loved his years. back. The person must remain essen- American University President David home city and his home state of Ohio. And he tially unchanged in their consistent be- Dodge was captured and held for a was determined to improve the lives of every- havior. The person must be fairly con- year. one in his community. After serving in the mili- sistent in his or her behaviors over 1983, April 18, the U.S. Embassy in tary, he returned home to become a civil rights time. Beirut is bombed, murdering 63, 17 of attorney and work on behalf of the poor and Forensic psychologists that observe them Americans. The entire CIA Mid- disenfranchised. such behavior often use metaphor to dle East contingent is reportedly mur- Raised in poverty along with his brother warn of serious danger by referring to dered. The entire operation was di- Carl, he dreamed of a more just and equal such individuals as ‘‘a ticking time rected by Hezbollah and financed by world. He refused to allow prejudice or adver- bomb’’ or as one ‘‘carrying a hand gre- Iran. sity to slow him down. nade, and it is just a matter of when October 23, the Marine Through his life, Lou showed an unwavering the pin is pulled.’’ barracks in Beirut was destroyed by commitment to the people of Cleveland, and What happens if we apply these same the largest nonnuclear explosion deto- particularly the vulnerable and voiceless. criteria to Iran’s behavior? The result nated on Earth by the hand of an Ira- As the first African American member of is the same. Psychologically, there is nian terrorist; 241 United States Ma- Congress from Ohio—and an original co- no reason to expect future behavioral rines are slaughtered, and 100 are founder of the Congressional Black Caucus change, given Iran’s 36 years of bad be- wounded. and founding chair of the CBC’s Health Brain havior. During the same attack, the French Trust—Congressman Stokes was a proud The record of history since 1979 is barracks are destroyed by another Ira- voice for civil rights and equality. clear with regard to Iran’s actions with nian terrorist bomb that murders 58 And as the first African American to serve the West and, in particular, the United French paratroopers. on the House Appropriations committee—the States. For 30 of those 36 years, the December 12, 1983, the U.S. Embassy committee on which I now serve—Congress- United States has declared Iran as the in Kuwait was bombed by Iranian ter- man Stokes worked tirelessly to bring re- most active state sponsor of terrorism rorists from Iranian-backed Hezbollah sources and opportunities to folks struggling in the world. and Dawa, murdering 5 and wounding across the country. For 36 years, Iran has brutally mur- 86. Seventeen members of the Dawa are In many ways, Congressman Stokes was dered more Americans than any other captured and arrested in connection. ahead of his time. He was one of the earliest terror group or state sponsor of terror. Iranian-sponsored terrorist acts then and most vocal supporters of addressing the Their clerics have declared fatwas on are perpetrated for years to come to burgeoning HIV/AIDS crisis. the United States; their leaders have try to negotiate their release. As a veteran, he fought to ensure every vet- dubbed us the Great Satan and have 1984, September 20, United States eran had the highest possible quality services called Israel a one-bomb state, with Embassy annex in Beirut is destroyed and care upon returning home. And as the pledges to eliminate their existence. by Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists, chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee murdering 22 civilians and 2 U.S. sol- on Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban b 2115 diers. Development, he worked to ensure agency That brutal behavior earned them 1985, June 14, Trans World Airlines services reached communities of color. treatment, and rightfully so, as a pa- Flight 847 hijacked with 160 hostages. His work to combat discrimination in every riah, shunned by global economy, di- Robert Dean Stetham, a United States form—housing, education, health care access, plomacy, and withholding inter- Navy diver, is forced to kneel in front economic opportunity and more—continues to national goodwill. of an open aircraft door, shot in the inspire me. So what a fantastic time to accom- back of the head, and dumped onto the While Congressman Stokes will be greatly modate a terrorist state and make a tarmac. The remaining hostages are re- missed, his legacy and work lives on. deal. leased, following terrorist releases By opening doors of opportunity, and inspir- Some, such as Secretary of State from prisons in Israel and Lebanon. ing generations of leaders in Cleveland, Ohio John Kerry, dismiss all of Iran’s reti- 1989, July 13, Dr. Abdul Rahman and beyond, Congressman Lou Stokes has cence as posturing rhetoric. How in Ghassemlou, the Secretary General of made our nation a more just and equal place. God’s name can we be so naive at the the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran, He was a great man and a good friend who highest levels of our Republic to be- was assassinated by Iranian operatives, will be greatly missed. My thoughts and pray- lieve it? along with two associates in Vienna, ers are with his family and my deepest grati- How in God’s name can we judge where he was secretly meeting with en- tude for sharing this great human being with Iran’s actions worthy of fair treatment voys sent by then-Iranian President us. and goodwill? Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

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