The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF ELVIS ``SONNY'' GIBSON
______
HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize and celebrate a passionate historian, dedicated public servant, and deeply valued member of the Kansas City community, Mr. Elvis ``Sonny'' Gibson. Though Mr. Gibson retired from a career with the federal government in 1989, his work to make our world a more equitable and just place has never stopped. To this day, Sonny continues to give back to his community, contribute to the Black cultural history of Kansas City, and bend the American historical record as a whole towards truth and justice. Because of Mr. Gibson's outstanding work and tireless commitment, voices once silenced have been heard, people once forgotten have been remembered, and stories once lost have been told.
After moving to Kansas City with his family in 1947, Sonny attended R. T. Coles High School, one of only two high schools for Black students in Kansas City at the time. He then went on to work as Branch Chief of Fair Housing within the United States Department of Housing of Urban Development. In that role, Sonny proved himself to be adept at navigating the bureaucracy to find solutions for those who needed it most. After a career that lasted over twenty-nine years, Sonny retired, but his work was far from over.
Writing his first book in 1988, Sonny quickly began a second career dedicated to telling the stories of the previously unrecognized and acknowledging the work of Black Kansas Citians throughout history. It was, and continues to be, a labor of love for Sonny--one that has propelled him to produce six books and spend innumerable hours researching and collecting reliable historical accounts. The articles and announcements Sonny discovered and shared with the world had often been left out of traditional historical sources. Not only was Sonny resolved to bringing them to light, he also went about the monumental task of arranging them in chronological order and having them reproduced in the exact way he encountered them. His attention to detail and high historiographical standards are a reflection of the importance of Sonny's work and his passion for doing it justice. Front of mind for Sonny has always been the impact these historical artifacts will have on his readers. These small glimpses of history help us understand who we are as a nation as much as, if not more than, any broad volume. For example, in his most recent book, 1865--A Kansas City Negro History, Sonny writes about a place that is especially near and dear to my heart: Kansas City's 18th and Vine district. Through his writing, he is able to take readers back in time to highlight the entertainers, politicians, and business leaders who built the historic area. Sonny has an exceptional talent and ability to help his readers view history through the eyes of those who lived it--people not so different than the readers themselves.
As I think about Sonny's wisdom and passion, one specific instance comes to mind. Sonny was telling an audience about being posed the question ``Why are you always wondering about what Black people did way back when?'' Sonny said, ``To understand the struggle, to understand that there are people in this country and in this city, who have come through an ocean of blood and tears, to get where we are today.'' Fueled by his unwavering mission to understand the struggles of those who have come before him, Sonny has not only deepened his own understanding of our city's rich Black history. He has also given the gift of that knowledge to his community, to his country, and to future generations.
In addition to his work as an author, Sonny also dedicates a great deal of time to giving back to his community. He has served on numerous boards and societies, including the National Board of Directors for the National Black United Fund. He has held the position of Resident Scholar for the Black Archives of Mid America, Inc., and he has worked as the Historian in Resident for the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center. Sonny sets a true example of the qualities we should look for in all public servants: dedication, perseverance, and a deep, generous love for his community.
Sonny's unwavering devotion and tireless commitment has made a profound impact on the Kansas City community, so I am truly privileged to be able to recognize Sonny's efforts today. Madam Speaker, please join me and Missouri's Fifth Congressional District in celebrating Mr. Elvis ``Sonny'' Gibson. Our history is how we understand ourselves, and every day, Sonny helps us understand ourselves a bit better. Let us all seek to emulate his example by dedicating ourselves to service, dismantling injustice in all its forms, and affirming that the American story is incomplete so long as so many American stories are left off its pages. Let us continue to add new pages, so that we may be able to make history by writing it down.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 61
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