The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO OMAR D. BLAIR” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E524-E525 on April 2, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO OMAR D. BLAIR
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HON. DIANA DeGETTE
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Friday, April 2, 2004
Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the extraordinary life and accomplishments of a remarkable gentleman from the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize Omar D. Blair for his impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable service.
Many people have made notable contributions to our community, but few have left a legacy of progress as Omar Blair. He once mused that he wanted to be remembered as one who tried. I would submit that Omar Blair molded a life of enduring accomplishment and proved to be a powerful force in transforming our community. His is an indomitable spirit and our lives have been truly enriched by his presence among us.
Omar Blair demonstrated that he had steel at an early age. Upon his graduation from Albuquerque High School in 1936, the school board determined that the six black graduates had to sit behind their classmates and would not have a spotlight shone on them as they received their diplomas. But Omar was not intimidated. He walked with dignity up to the stage in darkness to get his diploma to the ovation of his classmates. Years later, he was awarded ``Outstanding Graduate of the Past 100 Years'' by the same people who would not allow him to sit with his classmates forty-three years earlier.
Omar attended the University of California at Los Angeles prior to entering the Army Air Corps during World War II. Captain Blair belonged to the all-black 332nd Fighter Squadron--the famed Tuskegee Airmen--
where he developed a reputation for daring. His squadron had been called upon to escort bombers on a raid over Berlin, but their fighters needed bigger fuel tanks to go the distance and they were not available through normal channels. Captain Blair learned that the needed tanks were on an Army train coming from Naples. He organized a convoy, stopped the train and forcibly offloaded the tanks as they were critical to his squadron's mission. Captain Blair got the job done and the bombing raid went off without a hitch.
In 1951, Omar and his wife Jeweldine, came to Denver. He found work and started a family that grew to include three children. He also found time to get involved in public affairs and was elected to the Denver Board of Education in 1972. He served two terms and was voted the first African American to serve as president of the school board. He led our city through what was arguably the most tumultuous era for public education in Denver. The schools were under court order to desegregate and Mr. Blair and other board members became the driving force to implement the order through busing. But his tenure on the board was not about changing how kids got to school; it was about fundamental change and the quality of public education. For Omar Blair, integrating schools did not mean simply having students sit with one another. It meant integrating school resources, providing new textbooks, hiring more teachers and making sure schools were uniformly upgraded and maintained. In short, it meant equal education for all of our children.
Omar served as President of the Colorado Association of School Boards, Vice President of the National Caucus of Black School Board Members, and National President of the Council of Great City Schools. But his service was not limited to education. He served as a Commissioner of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority during the time when he and his colleagues initiated the 16th Street Mall Project. He was a founding member of the Greater Park Hill Sertoma Club and his work was recognized by Sertoma International. He served as President of the Owls Club of Denver and as a board member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and the East Denver YMCA.
Omar was honored on numerous occasions and his accolades include: the American-Israel Friendship League's Partners in Education Award; the U.S. Department of Justice Award for Outstanding Community Service and an honorary ``Doctor of Public Service'' degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver. His church, Shorter Community AME, dedicated its community room in his name and on April 26, 2003, the City and County of Denver named the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in recognition of his lifetime of service to our community. But accolades don't tell the whole story. Omar once made a poignant reference in an article that after 52 years of marriage to Jeweldine, ``You can put this in big bold letters--
without her I would not be half the person I am and I know that.'' Not only was Omar Blair a man of accomplishment, he was a man who was well-
grounded with a clear sense of what mattered.
Omar Blair was an unrelenting advocate for the causes that elevate the human condition. He burnished a reputation of being forthright, pragmatic, outspoken and ``taking on all comers.'' But ultimately, he was dedicated to our children--all of our children. He constantly reiterated that ``the kids are what it's all about'' and I believe his legacy to us is to never waver in our commitment to future generations.
Omar Blair lived a life of meaning and one that is rich in consequence. It is the character and deeds of Omar Blair, and all Americans like him, which distinguish us as a people. Truly, we are all diminished by the passing of this remarkable person. Please join me in paying tribute to the life of Omar D. Blair, a distinguished citizen. It is the values, leadership and commitment he exhibited during his life that serves to build a better future for all Americans.
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