Pelosi Statement on Passing of Dr. Benjamin Hooks

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the passing of Dr. Benjamin Hooks, former executive director of the NAACP and longtime civil rights leader:

"Dr. Benjamin Hooks helped shape the modern civil rights day movement through his leadership of the NAACP: elevating and energizing the storied organization. With great patriotism, he led the day-to-day efforts to root out discrimination and injustice and worked on behalf of equality and opportunity for all Americans for more than half of a century.

"Dr. Hooks had a remarkable career: as a judge, an FCC Commissioner, and as a minister. He was a man of deep faith and bold convictions. He was also a man of action; in his calm yet determined way, he worked so that our nation would live up to the aspirations of all of its people.

"I hope it is a comfort to the many who loved Benjamin Hooks that so many grieve their loss and are praying for them in this sad time."