September 6, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 142 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               LEGENDARY POLITICAL ACTIVIST DARREN PARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 6, 2019

  Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, last month California lost an esteemed 
political colleague and tireless advocate, Mr. Darren Parker. He 
championed racial equality and civil rights, especially for African 
Americans, and his career was one of public service and selfless 
contributions.
  From a very young age, Darren showed a strong interest in political 
engagement. At just 11 years old, he teamed up with a few family 
members to found One Hundred Thousand Students for the Freedom of South 
Africa, gathering peers in his grandmother's Compton home to support 
the anti-apartheid struggles half a world away.
  His passion for politics continued through his college years, then as 
a union rep with the Communication Workers of America during his 20-
year career with Pacific Bell. Early on, he became involved with the 
Democratic Party, in Los Angeles City, Antelope Valley, L.A. County, 
and the state of California. After years of involvement, in 2007 he was 
elected Chair of the California Democratic Party's African American 
Caucus, aiming to lift up the voices of African Americans and encourage 
civic engagement. He was particularly proud of significantly increasing 
voter registration in the Antelope Valley.
  His passion for service continued with his positions on many 
nonprofit boards and appointed offices over the course of his life, 
including his appointment to the LA County Commission for Children and 
Families.
  Wanting to contribute directly to governing the state, he ran for a 
seat in the California Senate in 2011 and in the Assembly in 2016. In 
between, he served in state government as special assistant to 
California Assembly Speakers John Perez, Toni Atkins, and Anthony 
Rendon. As a former Speaker myself, I know how demanding and important 
that job is, and I know that he contributed to successes in each 
Speaker's administration. Remarkably, during that time he also served 
as Executive Director of AFSCME Local 2620 for two years.
  I had the privilege of working with Mr. Parker many times over the 
years. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. He 
will be remembered for his influential activism, indomitable spirit, 
and life-long dedication to public service.

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