October 7, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2045 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

MAUDELLE SHIREK POST OFFICE Ms. Maudelle Shirek is a fearless and inspi- in the U.S. Army only to be discharged in BUILDING rational woman who for over 60 years has tire- 1964. Determined to continue his pursuit for a lessly fought to make this world a fair and just writing career, he invested in the purchase of SPEECH OF place. She has spoken for the voiceless and his first typewriter and moved into a rooming HON. BARBARA LEE has been a staunch defender of our basic civil house in Pittsburgh. To support himself he OF CALIFORNIA rights. worked a series of odd ‘‘blue collar’’ jobs, like IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join short-order cook, dishwasher, porter, stock Tuesday, September 27, 2005 me today in supporting this resolution, H.R. boy, and gardener. Starting out as a poet, his 438. poems were published in the late 1960s and Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor The world would be a better place if we had early 70s in several periodicals, one being the to recognize an unsung hero and political leg- more Maudelles. Negro Digest created by the late John John- end in the East Bay area, Ms. Maudelle f son. Shirek. However, it was not until August Wilson The legislation we are considering here THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF heard the voice of legendary Bessie Smith’s today, H.R. 438, would name the post office AUGUST WILSON record ‘‘Nobody in Town Can Bake a Sweet building at 2000 Allston Way in Berkeley after Jellyroll Like Mine,’’ he realized that it was his Maudelle Shirek. responsibility to carry the torch of his ances- It would have been impossible for the HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL tors and assume the role as the representative House to consider this bill without the timely OF NEW YORK of Black American culture, telling the world our help of my colleagues, the Chairman and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES history and dignifying our struggle. Hearing the Ranking Member of the House Government Friday, October 7, 2005 blues motivated, challenged, and empowered Reform Committee, Congressmen TOM DAVIS Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the young poet to document Black American and HENRY WAXMAN. I thank the gentlemen for pay my recognition and respect to the extraor- culture in his writings. Wilson describe this their assistance. dinary contributions of the world renowned I would also like to thank Majority Leader epiphany as the ‘‘Universe stuttered and ev- playwright August Wilson who died October 2, erything fell to a new place . . . I cannot de- TOM DELAY, Democratic Leader NANCY 2005 of liver cancer. Mr. Wilson was a Tony scribe or even relate what I felt . . . it was a PELOSI, and Democratic Whip STENY HOYER Award winner and two time Pulitzer Prize win- for their help in bringing this bill to the floor. birth, a baptism, a resurrection, and a redemp- Mr. Speaker, this special tribute is long ner whose plays not only chronicled and cap- tion all rolled up in one. It was the beginning overdue. In fact, in June 2003, the Berkeley tured the harsh realities African American fam- of my consciousness that I was a representa- City Council passed a resolution recom- ilies faced throughout the 1900s, they have tive of a culture and the carrier of some very mending the post office naming. I am pleased provided insight into Black life, depicting its valuable antecedents . . . I had been given a that we will finally honor Maudelle Shirek struggles to overcome discrimination and pov- world that contained my image . . . The ideas today. erty with dignity and nobility amidst the pain of self-determination, self-respect, and self-de- Maudelle Shirek was Berkeley’s 94-year-old and the struggle that all communities are able fense . . . are still very much a part of my life former vice mayor. Until last fall, Maudelle was to appreciate. His plays poetically depict the as I sit down and write. I have stood [these one of California’s longest-serving elected offi- effects of slavery and oppression on Black ideas] up in the world of Bessie Smith on the cials. Americans in every decade of the 20th cen- ground captured by the Blues. Having started As one of my political heroes, she continues tury, and show that despite the harshness of my beginning consciousness there, it is no to fight for equality and social justice for all. life, this crucible produced great strength and surprise that I would mature and my efforts She not only helped me get involved in politics resilience that have enabled us to overcome. would come to fruition on that same ground.’’ but also inspired my predecessor, Congress- August Wilson was born on April 27, 1945 As a result he established two organizations man Ronald V. Dellums, to run for Congress. as Frederick August Kittel, in Pittsburgh, that promoted Black American writing: the Her understanding of the importance in invest- Pennsylvania. He later changed his name Center Avenue Poets Theatre Workshop, and ing in people has won the solid support of vot- after his father left out of respect for his moth- Black Horizons. Plus, he continued writing ers in her district and admirers around the er. Mr. Wilson grew up on ‘‘the Hill,’’ which plays chronicling different experiences that world as an international leader for peace and was a predominantly Black and poor neighbor- Afiican Americans faced. justice. hood in Pittsburgh. It was the daily experi- His big break was the debut of the 1982 A granddaughter of slaves, Maudelle left her ences of this African American community that play ‘‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’’ the first of rural Arkansas home and came to California in inspired the content of his plays. At 13 years a 10-drama series that would chronicle each the middle of World War II. Before long she of age he moved to predominantly White Ha- decade of the Twentieth Century, which was campaigning for fair housing and other zelwood, but he did not forget the unique cul- premiered at Broadway’s Cort Theater on Oc- civil rights for African Americans. She helped ture of the Hill, especially when he had to suf- tober 11, 1984. Set in Chicago in 1927, the found two Berkeley senior centers, and until fer the racial taunts in Hazelwood. The racial play focuses on White record companies’ ex- her health started to slow her down, she discrimination that Wilson faced led Wilson, at ploitation of Black musicians. This play mir- helped deliver meals to shut-in seniors; or if it the age of 15 to drop out of high school be- rored the images and positions that African was a Tuesday, did all the shopping for cause his teacher couldn’t believe that a Black Americans faced in a society dominated by lunches at the New Light Senior Center, which student could create a well written term paper White racism. The beauty of the play, grabbed she founded nearly 30 years ago. and accused him of plagiarism. This however, national attention earning Mr. Wilson several Mr. Speaker, Maudelle Shirek entered elect- did not impede his thirst for knowledge or his Tony nominations, and the New York Drama ed politics in 1983 after being forced to retire love for writing. With diligence and self dis- Critics Circle Award. ‘‘Fences’’, however, a from a senior center simply for having reached cipline, August Wilson continued his education play depicting a 1950s Black family’s personal the age of 72. Soon after her election to through self-study at Carnegie Library. He and economic issues, grossed a record $11 Berkeley City Council, she helped end the dis- began reading Black literature and other Black million in a year, which broke the record for criminatory policy of mandatory retirement in works, like Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, nonmusical plays. As a result, Wilson became Berkeley city agencies. Ralph Ellison, and Arna Bontemps. The Chicago Tribune’s Artist of the Year; the Maudelle refuses to accept arbitrary limita- His hopes of becoming a writer were quickly play won the New York Drama Critics Circle tions. It is one of the things we all respect challenged when his mother urged him to be- Award for Best Play, four Tony Awards for about her. Maudelle remains one of the best come an attorney. Disapproving of his dreams Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor and Best examples of how one person can make a dif- for a writing career, his mother forced him to Featured Actress; and a Pulitzer Prize for ference. leave the house. In 1963, Mr. Wilson enlisted Drama. Finally, ‘‘The Piano Lesson,’’ inspired

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 08:21 Oct 08, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A07OC8.001 E07OCPT1 E2046 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 7, 2005 by Romare Beardon’s painting illustrated fam- Seattle, where he wrote plays, big, gar- even liked to seek out actors and ask them ily conflict over an heirloom built by a slave rulous, angry, lyrical, ponderous, often beau- what else they needed from him. ancestor. This 1986 play earned the New York tiful plays, in an office in his basement. He He had a reputation for feistiness and a went public with his terminal liver cancer a certain amount of ego. The talk of the the- Drama Critics Award, the Tony for Best Play, little more than a month ago and when he ater world in 1997 was his Manhattan debate the Drama Desk Award, the American Theatre did, he came forward with a breathtaking se- with Robert Brustein, the director, critic Critics Outstanding Play Award, and the Pul- renity. He pronounced himself prepared for and founder of Harvard’s American Rep- itzer Prize for Drama. Wilson’s subsequent what was coming. ‘‘I’ve lived a blessed life,’’ ertory Theatre, over their disagreement plays continued to receive accolades and he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the about whether a theater exclusively devoted awards, solidifying his position in American paper of the city of his birth, the metropolis to Black experience is desirable. Wilson was Theatrical history. that served as backdrop for many of his a passionate advocate of Black theater, and August Wilson was not only a champion of major plays. ‘‘I’m ready.’’ the evening at Town Hall stands as the last He cannot, of course, have been content to Black America by representing and dignifying occasion on which a philosophical theater ar- leave his family, especially his 8-year-old gument grabbed headlines. African American culture during a time when it daughter, Azula, whom he proudly told me When I sat down with him late last year, wasn’t otherwise appreciated; he was a pio- last December was writing her own plays. Wilson seemed anything but combative. He neer in the world of literature and theatre. Al- Work-wise, however, he may have been ex- was in a pleasant frame of mind, as a play- though his body is no longer with us, his work pressing a measure of relief, in that he had wright might be with the work of grinding and his impact on American History will con- satisfied the exacting requirements of the out a play completed. The play was ‘‘Gem of tinue on for posterity. On October 17, Broad- towering assignment he had given himself: a the Ocean,’’ set in 1904, which as a result be- way’s Virginia Theatre will be renamed the Au- cycle of 10 plays, one set in each decade of came the prologue of the cycle he’d been the 20th century. (‘‘Radio Golf,’’ the last one, writing for much of his professional life. gust Wilson Theatre in Mr. Wilson’s honor. His has yet to reach New York; its regional As it happens, the first in the chain was final play, ‘‘Radio Golf’ is scheduled to be pro- debut comes at Center Stage in Baltimore in the last he’d ever get to see on Broadway. duced on Broadway during the 2006–2007 March.) The chain he’d long promised, and true to his season. Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Not that he was exactly through with writ- word, the chain he delivered. ing. In an interview over breakfast at a diner Constanza Romero; their daughter, Azula, 8, f and an adult daughter from a previous mar- in the Edison, the modest Times Square riage, Sakina Ansari. tourist hotel that was his longtime New HONORING MAUREEN BUFALINO York base, he revealed that he was working AS SHE RECEIVES THE ATHENA I submit to you an article from the October on a comedy whose milieu now seems 4, 2005 edition of the Washington Post, illus- AWARD FROM THE WILKES- heartbreakingly prescient: Pittsburgh coffin BARRE CHAMBER OF BUSINESS trating the type of man and impact August Wil- makers. son had on this country. His dramas are connected by a palpable AND INDUSTRY [From the Washington Post, Oct. 4, 2005] sense of geography, usually, a rambunctious district of Pittsburgh; by the mordant THE CYCLE OF AUGUST WILSON’S LIFE HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI humor of characters who spit at hardship; by OF PENNSYLVANIA (By Peter Marks) an eye that seemed to see a story taking The death of August Wilson does not sim- shape in every soul. They also reveal the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ply leave a hole in the American theater, but acumen of Wilson’s ear in the cross currents Friday, October 7, 2005 a huge, yawning wound, one that will have to of language that flow from his characters as wait to be stitched closed by some expansive, if pouring out of deep, lustrous, meandering Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today poetic dramatist yet to emerge. canals. to ask you and my esteemed colleagues in the To say that Wilson was the greatest Afri- He wrote for authentic-sounding stage House of Representatives to pay tribute to can American playwright the nation has pro- creatures, and yet his dialogue might have Maureen Moran Bufalino, regional president of duced—as some inevitably do—is to limit the found a place in novels. ‘‘Now I’m gonna Omega Bank in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, scope of his significance as a contributor to show you how this goes, where you just a the country’s dramatic heritage. Wilson on the occasion of her receiving the pres- leftover from history,’’ Toledo, the piano tigious Athena Award presented annually by wrote scathingly about racism, yes, in ‘‘Ma player, tells the other Black musicians in Rainey’s Black Bottom,’’ and the indelible dialect in ‘‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’’ The the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and In- scars of slavery, in ‘‘The Piano Lesson’’ and play, set in the 1920s, was the first of Wil- dustry. ‘‘Gem of the Ocean.’’ He also wrote about the son’s to make it to Broadway. It was an aus- Mrs. Bufalino is truly deserving of this honor Oedipal conflict of fathers and sons picious coming out. Wilson, wrote drama because throughout her career she has exem- (‘‘Fences’’) and the universal quest for the critic Frank Rich in the New York Times at plified what a true community leader should easy score (‘‘Two Trains Running’’). His con- the play’s 1984 opening, ‘‘sends the entire be. cerns were as multifaceted as the hard- history of black America down upon our As a former president of the Junior League pressed people he wrote about. heads.’’ Over the past 20 years, Wilson had staked Wilson returned again and again to the of Wilkes-Barre, Mrs. Bufalino helped develop a legitimate claim to the title of nation’s idea of Black America’s unique historical in- many young women for volunteer service with- most important dramatist. During that time heritance, to reminders of how the South’s in the community. She has served as a role he won two Pulitzers and a Tony, and among peculiar institution was not at all a dead model for businesswomen through her work in his plays he polished off at least three that memory but a living shadow. As many other the banking industry. And despite her de- will rank among the classics: ‘‘Ma Rainey,’’ characters would in the Wilson pantheon, manding business schedule, she has still ‘‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone’’ and ‘‘The Toledo offers in ‘‘Ma Rainey’’ his own home- found the time to volunteer and serve several Piano Lesson,’’ along with what will perhaps spun history lesson about the African dias- non-profit organizations and also raise three endure as his favorite with audiences: pora: ‘‘Fences,’’ the story of an embittered former ‘‘Everybody come from different places in children. baseball prospect, played on Broadway by Africa, right? Come from different tribes and She is also a charter member of Circle 200, James Earl Jones. things. Soonawhile they began to make one a regional executive women’s networking or- All this may not have meant as much as it big stew. You had the carrots, the peas, and ganization, and is a graduate of the Leader- did in the days when playwriting giants potatoes and whatnot over here. And over ship Wilkes-Barre program. roamed the countryside, when a new play by there, you had the meat, the nuts, the okra, Mrs. Bufalino serves as vice chair of Tennessee Williams or Arthur Miller or Eu- corn . . . and then you mix it up and let it CityVest Community Development Organiza- gene O’Neill had the power to galvanize pub- cook right through to get the flavors flowing tion, a group committed to revitalizing Wilkes- lic discourse, and even land an actor on the together. Then you got one thing. You got a cover of a national magazine. We’ve moved stew.’’ Barre’s downtown. She is a graduate of King’s away, sad to say, from the era of the stage as Wilson’s own favorite playwright was College. a truly vital pulpit. In the commercial Chekhov, and you can see how their theat- Mrs. Bufalino was also named one of the realm, Wilson’s plays were usually not mon- rical stews might simmer well together. Wil- top 20 executives under the age of 40 in 2001 eymakers. But the fact that he could con- son was a conjurer of characters, not an ac- by the Northeastern Business Journal, a wide- sistently count on clicking the ‘‘send’’ but- complished spinner of plot or master of com- ly respected business periodical in north- ton and having a play end up in the in box of pression. He was, in fact, legendary for writ- eastern Pennsylvania. ing one overlong draft after another, and Broadway—even in this lean and inhos- On a personal note, I have known Maureen pitable time for serious drama—stamps him working with a director—most successfully as a theater man of nothing but con- Lloyd Richards, head for many years of the and her family for decades. I know her parents sequence. Yale School of Drama—who could help him Jack and Maureen are extremely proud of her Wilson died ludicrously young on Sunday, pare it down. A script was by no means com- success, not only as a well-respected profes- at the age of 60 in his adoptive home town of plete once rehearsals began, he told me. He sional, but also as a dedicated community

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