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HONORING ROBERT EIKLEBERRY AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK
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HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert ``Mongo'' Eikleberry, as a longtime LGBTQ advocate, business owner, community leader during this Pride Month.
Robert served in the Vietnam War as a young man, where he was given the nickname ``Mongo'', When he returned home in 1972, he began working as a senior electrician as well as working at bars. Here, Robert saw that while gay bars were some of the only places LGBT individuals could openly be themselves, many establishments weren't uplifting the causes of the LGBT community. Robert realized he should open a business in Des Moines that would provide philanthropic support to multiple causes impacting his community.
Robert opened the Blazing Saddles in Des Moines in 1983, 38 years ago, which is now the oldest gay bar in the Midwest. Robert's work has allowed him to create charities, such as the All Iowa AIDs Benefits to support Iowans suffering from HIV/AIDS during the height of the epidemic, as well as helping fundraise to support the needs of LGBT Iowans. Robert founded the Imperial Court of Iowa which funds educational scholarships for high school students and adult education seekers. He's known to pitch in for causes like voter education and advocacy, equal rights, and much more. Robert has always made sure his employees at the Blazing Saddles were paid competitive wages and had job protection to be themselves, protection that would not be given to most LGBT workers until 2020.
In his over 40 years of activism, Robert has come face-to-face with hate and discrimination right here in Iowa. His bar had their windows smashed, flags burned, received threatening letters, and various other acts of vandalism over the years. ``You can't make fear a part of your life'', he said, reflecting on that fact that the fight for LGBT equality has historically been met with violence and intimidation.
``But they can't scare us back into closet'' he said with a chuckle. Although LGBT equality has made strides recently, Robert has said there is still more work to do. ``Everyone needs a place to be themselves'' he said.
His bar was named after the 1974 movie, Blazing Saddles, where a plucky group of immigrants, railroad workers, white townsfolk, and a black Sheriff who pull together to save their town for those who wish them harm and in turn, live safely together. A fitting name indeed. Please join me in honoring Robert ``Mongo'' Eikleberry as our Iowan of the Week as we celebrate Pride this month.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 99
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