Bobby Rush remembers Dr. Margaret Burroughs as a "keeper of history" and champion for African American people

CHICAGO –Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL01) reacted with sadness and shock at the news of the death of Dr. Margaret Burroughs, the founder of the nation’s largest African-American museum, who apparently died this morning at the age of 93.  He said the woman who had been a "keeper of history" has joined the ancestors and she leaves behind a formidable imprint of struggle, triumph and hope.

"Words cannot express what I feel on the passing of Dr. Margaret Burroughs, the founder of the Dusable Museum of African-American History," Rep. Rush said. "She was a keeper of history, a historian for a lost and often disregarded people, and a champion for those whose voices often go unheard.

"Over the years I have appropriated nearly a million dollars to the DuSable institution because it is just that important—it is an important landmark in American history," he continued. "They say that those who cannot remember history are bound to repeat it.  Dr. Burroughs, a long-time public servant, made sure that so many never made the mistakes of the past.  She was a champion and she leaves a formidable imprint of struggle, triumph and hope.
"I think I’m in shock because it seems we are losing so many of our ancient landmarks,"

 Rush said recalling the recent passing of gospel great Albertina Walker and Bishop Arthur M. Brazier. "It has been said that history is the novel by which the people are the author, and Dr. Burroughs wrote volumes. She will be sorely missed, but her work lives on."

Rush, who celebrates his 64th birthday on November 23, will be available for interview at 1:30 PM at Beloved Church, where he pastors, at 6430 S. Harvard.

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