wfn.org | Church leaders laud the life of Benjamin Hooks

["Philip Jenks" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

>Ben Hooks' message of peace and justice
>was inseparable from the gospel of Christ

New York, April 16, 2010 -- The Rev. Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, an American  
Baptist minister who preached church unity and human harmony, was hailed  
Thursday as an eloquent leader whose life exemplified Christ's love of  the 
poor and passion for justice.

The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist  Churches 
USA, said, "Benjamin Hooks' outstanding leadership in the quest  for equal 
rights in a segregated America reflected American Baptist's  passion for 
justice as an integral part of Jesus' message of  redemption.  We are deeply 
saddened at the passing of this giant but  his achievements shall never fade 
from the consciousness of all who  'thirst for righteousness.'"

"Benjamin Hooks was unfailingly brilliant when he combined the  finely-tuned 
logic of a lawyer with a preacher's evangelical  persuasiveness to help people 
see you can't love God unless you love  your sisters and brothers," said the 
Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, National  Council of Churches General Secretary.

Hooks, 85, an ordained minister, civil rights attorney, judge and  retired 
executive director of the National Association for the  Advancement of Colored 
People, died April 15 after a long illness.

"He was essentially a renaissance man," Kinnamon said. "He was a leader  of 
great faith and it was the church that captured his imagination and  inspired 
him to be a great preacher, pastor, jurist, and human rights  leader."

President Richard Nixon appointed Hooks as the first African American to  serve 
on the Federal Communications Commission in 1972.

In his role at the FCC, Hooks became an ally to ecumenical  communications 
leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Everett Parker, retired  director of the United 
Church of Christ Office of Communication, and the  Rev. Dr. William F. Fore, 
retired NCC associate general secretary for  communication, in their common 
efforts to provide broadcast licenses for  communities of color.

"He was one of the towering Baptist voices we sought as a keynoter at an  
American Baptist communication conference in Wisconsin in 1974," said  Philip 
E. Jenks, NCC Media Relations Specialist, who directed the  American Baptist 
Division of Communication that year. "I remember how he  quoted Martin Luther 
King. Jr., and predicted 'dark and difficult days  ahead' before the human 
rights picture in the U.S. would brighten."

Jenks said he and his youthful staff were hesitant to approach the  famous 
commissioner after sessions, "but Hooks was extremely  approachable and even 
joined us on off-campus excursions after hours. He  was serious, compelling, 
inspiring and funny -- and when he left he  didn't charge us a dime, explaining 
he was a government employee paid to  meet the public."

Hooks appeared to be in line to chair the powerful FCC when President  Jimmy 
Carter assumed office in 1977, but he decided to accept a call to  head the 
NAACP instead. He succeeded Roy Wilkins and led the  organization through a 
financial resurgence. He resigned in 1992.
His death Thursday prompted tributes from current and past NAACP  leaders.

"The NAACP is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks.  Dr. 
Hooks led this organization to new heights, and we will continue to  honor his 
legacy by fighting on, in his words with truth, justice and  righteousness on 
our side," stated NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock.

Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond said, "Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks was a dynamic  NAACP 
CEO who lifted the organization and by force of personality gave  it a 
heightened presence on the national scene. He performed my wedding  ceremony to 
my wife Pam and was a stalwart advisor during my tenure as  Chairman of the 
NAACP Board of Directors. Dr. Hooks will be much  missed."

NAACP Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams added: "I am deeply  saddened by 
the loss of my personal friend and one of America's most  outstanding civil 
rights leaders Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks. Dr. Hooks was  one of the strongest 
supporters of my husband Medgar Evers, and a strong  supporter of mine during 
my three years as Chairman of the Board. He was  a trusted advisor and never 
ceased to share his wisdom on pressing  issues of the day."

President Obama said, "Our national life is richer for the time Dr.  Hooks 
spent on this Earth.  And our union is more perfect for the way  he spent it: 
giving a voice to the voiceless. Michelle and I offer our  thoughts and prayers 
to his wife, Frances; his daughter, Patricia Gray;  and all who knew Dr. Hooks 
through his extraordinary good works."

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office),  646-853-4212 (cell) 
, pjenks@ncccusa.org