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PRESISLDENT'S CORNER

TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS, JR.

The D. Augustus Straker Bar Association mourns the
passing and celebrates the life of Congressman John
Conyers. Congressman Conyers passed away on Sunday,
October 27, 2019 at the age of 90.

As a native Michigander, Conyers served as a U.S.
Representative, for over a half of a century. He was first
elected in 1964 and became Chairman of the House
Oversight Committee, Chairman and ranking Democratic
member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, and the
longest-serving African American in Congress in U.S.
History.

Congressman Conyers was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the
Dean of the House of Representatives and a political pioneer. He introduced legislation
in 1968 to create a federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and fought
tirelessly to win passage of the legislation for the commemorative holiday, until the bill
was signed into law in 1983. Reverend Jesse Jackson referred to Conyers as, “one of
the most consequential congressmen” and stated that “without Conyers there would be
no King holiday”.

According to the Law Library of Congress, Congressman Conyers sponsored 800
hundred bills during his tenure. He also co-sponsored thousands of bills, including the
Voting Rights Act of 1965. Conyers earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree from
Wayne State University, following service with the National Guard, the U.S. Army and
the U.S. Army Reserve. He also served as an officer with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, during the Korean War. In 2005, Congressman Conyers was inducted to the
International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. The historic site is located at the Martin Luther
King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta and, according to the National Park Service,
was created “to give recognition to those courageous soldiers of justice who sacrificed
and struggled to make equality a reality for all”.

We salute Congressman John Conyers, an extraordinary giant among men, who
dedicated his life as a champion of civil rights, social justice and equality. We have been
blessed to have him among us, in Detroit and in this nation. His legacy will endure.

Please join us in lifting the Conyers family in prayer during this difficult time.

In Service,
Kimberley Ann Ward, Esq.
D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, President
National Bar Association - Region VI, Deputy Director