[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8] [House] [Page 10717] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SALUTE TO THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FOR METROPOLITAN OPEN HOUSING The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Reverend Martin Luther King's northern campaign. In January of 1966, Dr. King and his family moved to Chicago's west side, not far from where I was living and working at the time. Chicago was one of the most segregated cities in the Nation, and real estate agents were deeply engaged in racial steering and block busting. Beginning in July of 1966, Dr. King organized a series of marches demanding open housing. To the shame of Chicago and the Nation, marches were met by shouts of ``White Power,'' bricks, and even bombs. Mr. Speaker, those who have been reading the Taylor Branch three- volume biography of Dr. King will be reminded of one of the great ironies of our time. We know less about Dr. King's stay in Chicago than almost any other period of his life because, for some reason, the FBI was relatively unsuccessful in bugging Dr. King's communications in Chicago. One of the things we do know for certain was that although the northern campaign was deemed a failure by many, it gave birth to one of America's great fair housing organizations, the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities. For 40 years, the Leadership Council has fought the good fight, seeking equality and justice for families who just wanted equal access to the housing market, just wanted a fair shot at finding a decent, affordable place to stay of their own choosing. The Leadership Council made it possible for more than 10,000 public housing families to improve their housing situation as a result of a Federal court settlement with the Chicago Housing Authority. They relentlessly pursued housing discrimination in the courts through a program of testing. They trained tens of thousands of real estate agents in fair housing law. And though much remains to be done in the arena of fair housing, the Leadership Council is now preparing to close its doors due to lack of funding. These are indeed hard times for nonprofits in general, but fair housing advocates tell us that they have been hit particularly hard. Mr. Speaker, the Leadership Council left a little of their vision wherever they ventured, even here in the people's House, where they helped to lead the grass-roots movement which led to passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act. Mr. Speaker, the Leadership Council will be missed but not forgotten. They leave a proud legacy and can retire with their heads held high. Their resolve and their work will live on as other organizations and individuals pick up where they left off. And although they are closing their doors and going out of business, I say to them and all of those who were associated, A job well done. ____________________