Date: 2012-12-19
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. let it be very clear. EMANUEL CLEAVER is not retiring from the United States Congress. but we are here to thank him for his service to the Congressional Black Caucus as chair. but really to the Nation. Let me thank my colleagues for gathering this morning to raise a voice of crescendo in thanks and appreciation for this man called EMANUEL CLEAVER. His progeny and his ancestors are grateful for the mark that he has made on behalf of America. Chairman CLEAVER speaks eloquently about his origins of hailing from Texas and his many relatives who remain there. even those who are in the surrounding areas of the 18th Congressional District. Hes a proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University in Texas. in the surrounding area of Houston. Prairie View. Texas. He has a great heritage and connectedness to the Black Power movement. and he is a good combination of peace. gentleness. firmness. leadership. and courage. And I might say that he was a man for these times. just as the Bible dictated that Esther was a woman for her time. was there for a time such as that. Our chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus found his role in a number of challenges that we faced. And if I might paraphrase a Biblical story. hopefully I have it nearly right. but I call this chairman a modern day Joseph who is able to wear the multicolored coat. representing constituencies from all backgrounds and going to represent his people in a foreign land. Chairman CLEAVER would go to places where others had not gone or raise his voice for issues that were unpopular. and he did so with the consensus and collaboration of the astute and committed members of the Congressional Black Caucus. I went to his district. as many of us did. Were proud to see the affection. friendship. and love given to him by his constituents. I was so interested in what we call the green corridor. so many are looking to instill and implement that in their own districts. Thank you. Reverend CLEAVER. for coming to Houston. Texas. on more than one occasion. but particularly to the NAACP banquet when I was named a recipient of the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award. but more importantly. for your words of diminished return that if. in fact. we go to the lowest common denominator. if we dont raise ourselves to the highest level of challenge. then it becomes a diminished return. if I might paraphrase Chairman CLEAVERS words. It was a rousing and challenging speech that lifted people off their feet. and it caused us to think about what we need to do. Finally. as others have spoken of his work on creating jobs for all of America. particularly those underserved. where the African American job unemployment rate was so high. he was a champion during the debate and the challenge of passing the Affordable Care Act. now proudly ObamaCare. When we came together that Sunday. March 19. before we had to go and vote. it was Chairman CLEAVER that led us to a prayer service where we worshipped and were renewed. We came back ready to cast our votes. to put this great legislation that is going to save lives over the top. We did it as a body. as a collective body. and as a group of members of the Congressional Black Caucus. And so even preceding his time in leadership. he led. Finally. Mr. Speaker. let me offer my thankyou to this native son of Texas. a graduate of Prairie View A&M. one of the great institutions in the State of Texas. Let me congratulate his wife and his wonderful children and his extended family and all those who have seen in him the willingness to sacrifice for others. Thank you. Chairman CLEAVER. The great news is youre not retiring from this body and your leadership for America will continue.