John Conyers, Jr: Raw Bravery
My Day
By Dr. J. Ester Davis
John Conyers (1929-2019) was an American Hero, a U. S. Congressman, a political institution in Washington, DC, and one of the longest serving African American law makers in congress. He was a true jazz aficionado, and the 44th Dean of the United States House of Representatives. His duty to this country stretches long and wide.
I have met John Conyers, Jr., on several occasions. One of my fondest memories is attending the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in the early days as a then ‘petite model’ centered around the CBC Midnight Fashion Show. John Conyers came backstage minutes before the show to thank us for coming in to DC. During the Marion Barry era, I attended, hosted shows for DCCable with the masterful Marion “Duke” Greene. Mr. Conyers could not make it into the studio this particular time, called in instead at the last minute.
In 2017, I attended the Congressional Black Caucus and served on a panel for Black Press USA as a Staff Writer for The Dallas Post Tribune, with five (5) other journalist and bloggers from around the country. After the panel session, we were chauffeured over to the Michigan Delegation Reception hosted, of course, by John Conyers, Jr., the Honorable U. S. Congressman serving Western Detroit.
John Conyers, Jr., will be remembered for so many worthy moments in our history, but there are a few that will remain with the American people forever. When Rosa Parks had difficulty remaining in Montgomery, Alabama, after the bus boycott, John Conyers, Jr., moved her to Detroit where she served on his staff from 1965 to 1988. He was an original member of Nixon’s Enemies List. In 1989, John Conyers championed the Commission to Study Reparation for African American Act. History will write his name as this act unfolds.
During the Obama Administration and the survival of the automobile industry, John Conyers, Jr., exercised all his resources as a former union organizer and UAW Member to seal the everlasting security of General Motors and other manufacturers. It is widely known in Detroit that John Conyers, Sr., was also a union organizer and international representative with the United Auto Workers Union.
Long live the Dean.
esterdavis@gmail.com
