[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 19085] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN MEMORIAL OF W.D. MOHAMMED ______ HON. KEITH ELLISON of minnesota in the house of representatives Monday, September 15, 2008 Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness I rise today to mourn the passing of Imam W.D. Mohammed--the spiritual leader for millions of American Muslims. Imam Mohammed was accepted by his followers to lead The Nation of Islam in 1975 after the passing of his father, Elijah Muhammad, leader and builder of The Nation of Islam. Imam Mohammed led Americans toward tolerance, inclusion and civic engagement. In 1992 he delivered the very first Invocation in the United States Senate given by a Muslim. He gave an Islamic Prayer at both of President Clinton's Inaugural Interfaith Prayer Services. His dedication to interfaith dialogue led him to address the Muslim- Jewish Conference in 1996 with leaders of Islam and Reform Judaism. He met with Pope John Paul II on two occasions including in 1999 on the ``eve of the New Millennium'' in St. Peter's Basilica with other world religious leaders. He served on the Advisory Panel for Religious Freedom Abroad, formed by then Secretary of State, Madeline Albright. He was at his best promoting religious freedom in America and abroad. Imam Mohammed's loss is immense. His life was led and lived by his faith--a faith that inspired him to reach across the divides of many religions; to knock down the walls of division and search for the commonalities that all faiths share: peace and understanding. The Imam believed he had a responsibility to speak out on the social issues of the day, taking it upon himself to apply scriptural interpretation to those issues. His leadership was recognized by all. The world is smaller today because of the passing of the Imam. We all would do well to stop and listen to the lessons left behind by Imam W.D. Mohammed. May his soul continue to guide leaders and legions alike to the world of peace and understanding. ____________________