John Conyers hailed as 50-year warrior for the people

[damnedifIknow]

DETROIT -- If ever someone merited a tribute, Congressman John Conyers Jr., the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus and second longest serving member in the history of the House, certainly fits the bill.

On Sunday, at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple, an appreciative public gave the 84-year-old congressman an outpouring of praise for his nearly 50 years of struggle on behalf of the people.

Speaking at the event, Michigan Senator Carl Levin noted the "titanic struggle" taking place in the nation's Capital, with the federal government now shut down. Levin said Conyers has always been in the middle of the fight for jobs and justice and against those who would reverse progress in health care and people programs like food stamps and Head Start.

"John Conyers is my man," said NAACP Detroit Branch President Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony. "I'd rather have one John Conyers than one hundred of those other folks."

http://peoplesworld.org/john-conyers-hailed-as-50-year-warrior-for-the-people/

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. Conyers is good on the drug war and sentencing reform.

[longship]

2. As a native Detroiter and a Cooley High graduate, I salute John Conyers.

Detroit needs another World Series Championship. I remember 1968, the year after Detroit burned, and LBJ sent the National Guard to the city. I saw Jeeps with machine guns rolling down my street. Racial tension broke out in the worst way possible.

But the next year, the Tigers won the World Series. It was an amazing demonstration of what can occur by ordinary folks under extraordinary conditions. I remember Mayor Jerry Cavanaugh leading some of the celebrations. Where there were fires of racism the previous year, there was now unity.

Dowtown Detroit broke out in jubilant celebration. I was never more proud of my home town that day. A mere one year ago it was divided; now it was united. Race meant nothing. And Mayor Jerry Cavanaugh was finally able to take a bow.

It's both a sad and triumph of a great city.

Detroit is generally a very sad place. But there is lots of hope there.

If I were you, I wouldn't sell my home town out. Plus, there's still the Tigers and the World Series.

Go Tige's!