April 6, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 807 TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN Over two hundred years ago a group of peo- including drums. He played in both the march- LEGION ROOSE-VANKER POST 286 ple had a vision. They saw a very large land, ing band and symphony orchestra. not measured by area, but by the generosity As a young man in 1941, Milt Jackson and dedication of its people. Their common HON. SANDER M. LEVIN dream of equality and justice was so strong heard Lionel Hampton at the Michigan State OF MICHIGAN that it led these people to turn against the Fair and decided he wanted to play the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES only system they had ever known, and forge vibraharp. Milt started playing with Clarence Wednesday, April 5, 1995 a new life, relying only on each other. Their Ringo and the George E. Lee band. In 1942, undying perseverance became the American he met Dizzy Gillespie. Through Dizzy, he got Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend Dream. It is found in the wondering eyes of an opportunity to join Earl Hines' big band, congratulations to the Roose-Vanker Post 286, a child, in the drive for success of a college with whom Gillespie was playing. Later, Milt American Legion as it celebrates 75 years of student and young professional, and in the was drafted and served in the Air Corps. reflective thoughts of a wizened adult. service to the community with a celebration on Milt returned to Detroit in 1944 and orga- April 23, 1995. The American Dream unites today’s citi- zens with the first visionaries: George Wash- nized a group called ``The Four Sharps.'' The Post 286 was organized on April 20, 1920, Four Sharps performed for about a year until received its charter 2 months later, and has ington, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Molly Pitcher, and many others. The Amer- Dizzy came to Detroit, sat in one night, and been in continuous service to the community ican Dream shines through in great men and persuaded Milt to go to New York. assisting veterans' and their families, and women such as Woodrow Wilson, Janette Explaining why Jackson has such a fine helping preserve our American heritage. Rankin, Neil Armstrong, and Sandra Day sense of rhythm, Gillespie once exclaimed, The Post is named after two men, Roose O’Connor. The American Dream has created ``Why man he's sanctified!'' Ironically, like Gil- and Vanker, who were killed defending our and will continue to create an American Her- itage that is uniquely our own. lespie, Milt had grown up in a sanctified Nation in France during World War I. Like church. them, most past and present members of the That unique heritage has molded and In 1952, he joined John Lewis, Percy Heath, Post are of Belgian descent and reside in the shaped us into 250 million individual Amer- and Kenny Clarke, all members of the Gilles- metro-Detroit area. Members of the Post have ican citizens. Learning what that heritage is and who created it gives meaning and pur- pie band, to form the modern Jazz Quartet, a admirably served our Nation in every conflict pose to our lives. Our heritage is the first group with a unique collective sound which, in from World War I to the Persian Gulf. American’s gift to us. the words of Whitney Balliett, ``recused jazz I commend the members of the Roose- Unfortunately, too many people know lit- from the banality of the endless solo and the Vanker Post 286, American Legion, for 75 tle or nothing about our history. Preserving rigidity of conventional arrangements.'' years of dedication to their fellow members the American Dream begins at home. Par- Milt Jackson is the perennial winner of prac- and their community. I congratulate them on ents and grandparents often tell the most tically every popular poll taken by jazz fans this joyous occasion with best wishes for con- fascinating stories about their lives and tinued success. those of others. Taking the time to listen and criticsÐhe has gotten used to being de- opens up a world of curiosity and knowledge. scribed in superlatives. Because he has per- f In school, we can continue the fascination by formed in so many contexts, both within and TRIBUTE TO STEPHANIE DAVIS teaching history in new and different ways. I without the Modern Jazz Quartet, he is now will always remember the story of Betsy among the five most recorded artists in jazz Ross, because in the sixth grade, I gathered HON. PAT WILLIAMS my friends together, and for fun we created history. OF MONTANA a radio program from her story. (I played Milt's unique sound on the vibraharp gave it IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Betsy.) an entirely new direction and styleÐdistinct from the contributions of other players such as Wednesday, April 5, 1995 Even when we reach adulthood we preserve the ideals of our heritage simply by fulfilling Red Norvo and Lionel Hampton. He also be- Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I'm our responsibilities as American citizens: came one of the principal proponents of bebop proud to share with you and my colleagues a voting representing the public in office and almost from its inception, and was one of the remarkable essay written by a talented young out, serving on juries, and standing up for fathers of modern jazz while working with the our rights. Attending Girls’ State this sum- Montanan. This essay, authored by 17 year- famous sextet which included Dizzy Gillespie, old Stephanie Davis of Livingston, MT, was mer taught me that one person can make a difference, but when we all work together we Charlie Parker, pianist Al Haig, bassist Ray selected as our State's lone winner in the Vet- can start a revolution—Just remember 1776! Brown, and drummer Stan Levy. erans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Preserving our heritage only takes a small Mr. Speaker, during the 100th Congress, scriptwriting contest. Mr. Speaker, I wish to effort from every person. In fact, just taking the House passed a resolution I authored, enter this prize-winning essay into the CON- a few minutes each day to honor America is House Concurrent Resolution 57, which de- GRESSIONAL RECORD not only to celebrate enough to keep us moving through the next clared jazz ``a rare and valuable national Stephanie's important personal achievement, 200 years! American treasure.'' On the occasion of the but to draw your and my colleague's attention ‘‘I have a dream * * *’’, exclaimed civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Well, I Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Tribute Concert to a young woman's sincere vision of what to Milt Jackson on April 8, 1995, I am honored makes our country great. also have a dream, that we will not forget what out ancestors fought and died for, that to call to the attention of the Members of the ‘‘MY VISION FOR AMERICA’’ we will not forget the vision written in the 104th Congress, a living testament of this na- The band played an off-key rendition of a Declaration of Independence, and that we tional treasure, Milt Jackson. favorite patriotic song, the crowd cheered will remember to continue striving for the wildly, and everything was dotted with red, American Dream—liberty, equality, and jus- f white, and blue! As Old Glory passed by, a tice for all! Only then will we be able to walk young girl put her hand across her heart, and in the footsteps of our forefathers and say, ‘‘I TRIBUTE HONORING THE MARBLE- her daddy, in his faded brown army uniform, AM AN AMERICAN!’’ HEAD, OHIO VOLUNTEER FIRE removed his hat. People from all walks of f DEPARTMENT ON THE OCCASION life watched in silence. Some even had tears OF THEIR CENTENNIAL YEAR in their eyes as the national anthem rang IN TRIBUTE TO MILT JACKSON out from a solo bugle. Many people, one America! It is filled with millions of people working individually. . . HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR OF MICHIGAN diligently in pursuit of their own dreams. OF OHIO Yet, they somehow know that the total is IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES more important than the sum of the parts. Wednesday, April 5, 1995 Their undying patriotism holds our society together, a large organization, strong and Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise on be- Wednesday, April 5, 1995 proud. half of the Congressional Black Caucus to Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me However, there is a segment of the Amer- bring to the attention of my colleagues the dis- great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to ican population that has forgotten what tinguished cultural achievements of Milt Jack- an outstanding organization located in Ohio's America truly means. It is our responsibility as citizens to inspire the ‘love of country’ son. Fifth Congressional District. This year, the Vol- which once filled this great land. My vision Milt Jackson was born in Detroit, MI, in unteer Fire Department of the Village of Mar- . . . anyone’s vision of America’s future be- 1923. Milt started playing the guitar when he blehead, OH, celebrates it centennial. gins by remembering the vision of the First was 7 and by the time he was in high school The village of Marblehead is a community Americans. he was proficient in a number of instruments, renowned for its civic pride and commitment to