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[Page S6470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING JOHN CONYERS
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember John James
Conyers, Jr., of Detroit, MI, the longest serving Black Congressman in
history and a champion for civil rights and social justice. Sadly, Mr.
Conyers passed away last week at the age of 90. Mr. Conyers was
passionate about serving his country and his constituents, always
fighting for those without a voice.
Mr. Conyers was born in Detroit, MI on May 16, 1929, to John and
Lucille Conyers. After graduating from Northwestern High School, Mr.
Conyers worked as a welder for Lincoln automotive while attending Wayne
State University. He served in the Michigan National Guard before
enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, where he served as a
second lieutenant. After 4 years of service, he was honorably
discharged and returned to Wayne State University to obtain his
bachelor's degree in 1957 and his law degree in 1958.
In 1958, Mr. Conyers continued his life of service as a legal aide to
Representative John Dingell, Jr., of Detroit. He then ran for Congress
in 1964 and for the next 53 years, represented metro Detroit in a
career full of many historic firsts for civil rights and the Black
community.
Mr. Conyers was on the frontlines of the civil rights movement. He
was a cosponsor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and worked with Martin
Luther King, Jr., in Selma, AL to advocate for equal rights. In 1967,
during the civil unrest in Detroit, Mr. Conyers was in the streets,
encouraging peace and an end to the rioting. After the tragic
assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968, Mr. Conyers
introduced legislation to forever remember Dr. King's legacy with a
Federal holiday. He reintroduced his bill every session until it was
signed into law in 1983. He also hired civil rights legend Rosa Parks
to work in his Detroit office, where she stayed for over 20 years.
In Congress, Mr. Conyers was a founding member of the Congressional
Black Caucus. He also served on and was chairman of the House Oversight
Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. By the end of his service,
he was the longest serving African-American Congressman in history, as
well as the dean of the House of Representatives.
As an activist, trailblazer, and leader, Mr. Conyers will be greatly
missed across Michigan, as he touched the lives of many people
throughout Michigan. Mr. Conyers is survived by his wife of 29 years,
Monica, and his two sons, John and Carl.
Mr. President, I cannot express enough the impact Mr. John Conyers,
Jr., had on the city of Detroit and the State of Michigan. He was a
pillar of our community and a model of humble leadership. His passion
and tenacity will be missed. However, I am confident his legacy will
continue to inspire others to serve and fight for justice and equality
for all.
____________________