Remembering Congressman Louis Stokes

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of a good friend, Congressman Louis Stokes. He was the voice of the people of Cleveland, Ohio in the House of Representatives for 30 years and will be missed by every person he touched. Although I never had the privilege of serving with Lou, he was a dear friend to my husband and they did much good work together on many critical issues, including civil rights. I will always remember him for his thoughtfulness, graciousness, and integrity.

Born on February 23, 1925 in Cleveland, Congressman Stokes revealed the true nature of his character at an early age when he started shining shoes and clerking at an Army/Navy store to supplement the income of his widowed mother. A man dedicated to public service, he served our nation honorably in the U.S. Army and continued his service when he returned home through working at the VA and Treasury Department offices in Cleveland. He also made a name for himself as a civil rights lawyer while working for the Cleveland NAACP, and ran for Congress successfully in 1968.

In Congress, Lou was a strong voice for minorities and the disadvantaged. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Stokes served as Chairman of the group for two consecutive terms beginning in 1972. Through his seat on the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Stokes advanced civil rights in this country by fighting against segregation and in support of affirmative action and fair housing. His legacy on these issues can still be felt today.

Congress would do good to follow the example that Congressman Stokes set for all of us--that what matters most in this body is that you put your head down, do what is right for your constituents, and vote your conscience. The thing I remember most about Lou is that he never forgot where he came from and always put the people of Cleveland first. My thoughts and prayers are with the Stokes family during this difficult time. It is my hope that all members of this Congress will be inspired by the great example that Congressman Louis Stokes set for all of us and by the contributions he made to this country.

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