100 Most
Influential Black Americans/Black Achievement Award. Each year
since 1971, Congressman Stokes has been named by Ebony Magazine as
one of the “100 Most Influential Black Americans.” In 1979, he was
nominated by Ebony in three categories for the Second Annual
American Black Achievement Awards. His nomination was based upon his
becoming the first African American to head a major congressional
investigation and to preside over nationally televised hearings
which revealed new facts on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., and President John F. Kennedy.
William Dawson Award. Congressman Stokes has twice received
the Congressional Black Caucus’ William L. Dawson Award. In 1980,
Congressman Stokes was presented the prestigious award in
recognition of his “unique leadership in the development of
legislation.” In 1994, he received the second Dawson Award for
“significant research, organizational and leadership contributions
in the development of legislation that addresses the needs of
minorities in the United States.”
Louis Stokes Bridge. On June 24, 1988, the Board of County
Commissioners Cuyahoga County dedicated the Lake Shore Boulevard
Bridge over Euclid Creek as the “Louis Stokes Bridge,” in
recognition of Congressman Stokes’ leadership in public service, and
his support for federal funding to support road and bridge
improvement projects.
Louis Stokes Telecommunications Center/Cuyahoga Community
College. On September 24, 1988, Cuyahoga Community College
designated the Louis Stokes Telecommunications Center in the Unified
Technologies Center in honor of Congressman Stokes.
Central High School Hall of Fame. On March 30, 1990,
Congressman Stokes’ alma mater, Central High School (now Central
Middle School) recognized his historic achievements by presenting
him with the school’s Alumnus Award and including him into the
school’s Hall of Fame. On that occasion, the school also dedicated
its auditorium as the “Louis Stokes Auditorium.”
Louis Stokes Community Center. On September 5, 1992, in
recognition of the achievements of Ohio’s first and only African
American to serve in the United States Congress, the community
center in Outhwaite Homes was renamed as the “Louis Stokes Community
Center” by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority.
Louis Stokes Wing/Cleveland Public Library. On January 19,
1994, the Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees unanimously
adopted a resolution to name the new Cleveland Public Library East
Wing in honor of Congressman Stokes. The resolution stated that his
career “has extended into areas of law, civil rights, support for
education and public libraries, and congressional, national and
local leadership on a wide range of issues important to the
Cleveland area and the nation.”
Stokes Boulevard – Cleveland, Ohio. To mark Congressman
Stokes’ historic achievements in the United States Congress, the
City of Cleveland voted on June 6, 1994 to designate East 107th
Street and portion of Fairhill Road as “Stokes Boulevard.”
Appropriate signs mark this special salute to Congressman Stokes.
Case Western Reserve University/Louis
Stokes Health Sciences Center. Case Western Reserve
University honored Congressman Stokes on June 24, 1994 with the
dedication of the “Louis Stokes Health Science Center.” Congressman
Stokes was lauded for his work “to improve the lives of all
Americans and to ensure the full participation of members of
minority groups in the many initiatives in health, science,
education, and public welfare.”
Louis Stokes HUD “Hall of Fame.” On April 5, 1995, the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development inducted Congressman
Stokes into the nation’s first “Public Housing Hall of Fame.”
Located in HUD’s Washington, D.C. Headquarters, the Hall of Fame
recognizes Congressman Stokes as a strong advocate of safe and
affordable housing for America’s families.
National Minority
Transplant Hall of Fame. On September 18, 1996, Congressman
Stokes was chosen for inclusion in the first National Minority
Transplant Hall of Fame. The designation recognizes Stokes’ strong
leadership in the area of organ transplant education and awareness.
Louis Stokes Head Start
Day Care Center. Dedicated during the weekend of June 20, 1997,
the “Louis Stokes Head Start Center” was built specifically to serve
the needs of pre-school children in the Metropolitan Cleveland Area.
The Center was named for Congressman Stokes for his dedication in
fighting for the rights of Cleveland’s disadvantaged.
Stokes Rapid Transit
Station/Windermere. On November 17, 1997, Cleveland’s Regional
Transit Authority designated the Windermere Rapid Transit Station as
the “Louis Stokes Station at Windermere” in honor of Congressman
Stokes for his support for public transit.
Louis
Stokes Health Sciences Library/Howard University. Howard
University voted to recognize Congressman Stokes for his strong
leadership in the United States Congress. On August 11, 1998, Howard
University paid tribute to “one of our nation’s most prolific
Members of Congress” by naming their new health sciences library
“The Louis Stokes Health Science Center.
Stokes Web Site. On
August 11, 1998, top executives from Cleveland’s business community
announced that a web site will be set up in Congressman Stokes’ name
to inform young people of internships, scholarships and job training
opportunities. The site will be called the “Living Legacy Project:
Aim High.” Stokes was known for autographing photos for young
students with the phrase “Aim High!”
The Stokes Family
Library and Museum. Unveiled during Cuyahoga Metropolitan
Housing Authority’s Louis Stokes Day 1998, on September 12, 1998,
Congressman Stokes’ boyhood home in the Outhwaite housing projects
will be transformed into the “Stokes Family Library and Museum.” The
Library will serve as a home for many of the Congressman’s awards
and memorabilia for organizations around the country.
Louis Stokes Cleveland
Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center. On October 6,
1998, on the floor of the United States House of Representatives,
Congressman Stokes was honored with the naming of the Cleveland
Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in his honor. The
designation recognizes a lawmaker who worked tirelessly on behalf of
the nation’s veterans and other citizens throughout his 30-year
career.
Louis Stokes Building, National Institutes of Health. On
October 20, 1998, the House of Representatives voted for passage of
an Omnibus Appropriations Bill to fund the Departments of
Labor-Health and Human Services-Education. The bill includes
language designating Building #50, the Consolidated Laboratories
Building on the campus of the National Institutes of Health, in
honor of Congressman Stokes. The renaming honors Congressman Stokes
for his staunch leadership on the health front.
Honorary Degrees. Congressman Stokes is the recipient of 23 honorary
Degrees from colleges and universities across the nation. The
degrees were conferred upon Congressman Stokes in recognition of his
national leadership and strong commitment to public service.
