Congressional Record—House H3920

H3920 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 14, 2004 The legislation before us today is key to help- the rules were suspended and the bill, French Legion of Honor, the NAACP’s Life- ing thousands of individuals across the coun- as amended, was passed. time Achievement Award, and the Kennedy try gain access to assistive technology devises A motion to reconsider was laid on Center Honor’s Award; and the table. Whereas Katherine Dunham continues to and services. be an activist, teacher, and mentor to young The use of assistive technology can help a f people throughout the world: Now, therefore, child attend school, an adult seek and main- EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS be it tain employment, and individuals of all ages THAT KATHERINE DUNHAM BE Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of with disabilities participate more fully in soci- RECOGNIZED FOR HER ety. Every day, the lives of countless individ- Congress that Katherine Dunham should be GROUNDBREAKING ACHIEVE- recognized for her work as a teacher, dancer, uals with disabilities are made better through MENTS IN DANCE, THEATER, access to assistive technology. Assistive tech- choreographer, and actress, for her dedica- MUSIC, AND EDUCATION, AS tion to improving the opportunities in the nology helps individuals meet the challenges WELL AS HER WORK AS AN AC- arts that are available to the Nation’s youth, they face every day, and through the use of TIVIST STRIVING FOR RACIAL and for her lifelong commitment to humani- assistive technology individuals with disabil- EQUALITY THROUGHOUT THE tarian causes around the world. ities can overcome almost any obstacle they WORLD The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- face. ant to the rule, the gentleman from With initial passage of the Assistive Tech- Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to Delaware (Mr. CASTLE) and the gen- nology Act, and past reauthorizations, the job tleman from Ohio (Mr. RYAN ) each will of the state AT projects was one of informa- the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 62) expressing the sense of Congress control 20 minutes. tion and outreach, making people aware of The Chair recognizes the gentleman technology options. This reauthorization fo- that Katherine Dunham should be rec- ognized for her groundbreaking from Delaware (Mr. CASTLE). cuses on how we can enhance these services. GENERAL LEAVE However, this legislation by encouraging AT achievements in dance, theater, music, and education, as well as for her work Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I ask projects across the country to build on other unanimous consent that all Members success stories across we can help more peo- as an activist striving for racial equal- ity throughout the world. may have 5 legislative days within ple with disabilities to learn, work, and be ac- which to revise and extend their re- tive participants in their community. One key The Clerk read as follows: H. CON. RES. 62 marks on H. Con. Res. 62. way H.R. 4278 accomplishes this is through The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there an increased focus on helping individuals ac- Whereas Katherine Dunham was born on objection to the request of the gen- June 22, 1909, and began formal dance train- tually acquire the assistive technologies that tleman from Delaware? greatly improve their quality of life. ing in her late teens; Whereas, in the 1930s, Katherine Dunham There was no objection. I am particularly proud of the AT work done revolutionized American dance by incor- Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I in Delaware. The Delaware Assistive Tech- porating the roots of black dance and ritual, yield myself such time as I may con- nology Initiative connects Delawareans with and by transforming these elements into sume. the technologies that provide many with the choreography accessible to all through the Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- opportunity to learn, work, play, and partici- Katherine Dunham Technique; port of H. Con. Res. 62. Madam Speak- pate in community life safely and independ- Whereas Katherine Dunham completed her er, I rise in support of this legislation ently. Delawareans with disabilities count on bachelor’s degree in social anthropology at which expresses the sense of Congress the Initiative for access to technology for prod- the University of Chicago, was a pioneer in that Katherine Dunham should be rec- the use of folk and ethnic choreography, and uct demonstration and trial use, for information was one of the founders of the anthropo- ognized for her groundbreaking and consultation about equipment and funding logical dance movement; achievements in dance, theater, music, resources, and for the coordination of re- Whereas Katherine Dunham utilized her and education, as well as for her work sources among agencies and organizations. dance career and public status to draw atten- as an activist striving for racial equal- The Initiative runs a used equipment ex- tion to issues of segregation and the civil ity throughout the world. change service, publishes an informative rights movement; Katherine Dunham has been called newsletter, and helps people connect with the Whereas Katherine Dunham founded Les the matriarch of black dance. Her un- appropriate technology, financial assistance, Ballet Negre in 1931, the first black ballet precedented blend of cultural anthro- company in the United States; pology with the artistic genre of dance and skills training. The Initiative has no eligi- Whereas Les Ballet Negre became known bility limitations, other than Delaware resi- as the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, in the early 1930s produced dency. It serves infants through older persons, touring in more than 60 countries during the groundbreaking forms of movement and addresses the needs of people with any 1940s; and in the United States established type of disabling condition. There is no other Whereas Katherine Dunham was a dancer, black dance as an art form in its own source in Delaware that could replace these choreographer, and director on Broadway, right. services and supports. The staff, and their and was the first black choreographer at the She was born on June 22, 1909 and counterparts in other states, are intimately fa- Metropolitan Opera; began formal dance training in her late Whereas, in 1945, Katherine Dunham found- teens. She completed her Bachelor’s miliar with the barriers that people with disabil- ed the Dunham School of Dance and Theatre ities still encounter relative to employment, in Manhattan, thereby providing a central- Degree in social anthropology at the education, and community living. Assistive ized location for students to immerse them- University of Chicago, was a pioneer in technology and universal design are often selves in dance technique while also studying the use of folk and ethnic choreog- keys to access, opportunity, and achievement topics in the humanities, languages, ethics, raphy, and was one of the founders of in all of these arenas, and the Improving Ac- philosophy, and drama; the Anthropological Dance Movement. cess to Assistive Technology for Individuals Whereas, in 1967, Katherine Dunham estab- Katherine Dunham utilized her dance with Disabilities Act of 2004 will help to ensure lished the Performing Arts Training Center career and public status to draw atten- in East St. Louis, Missouri, which enrolled that access leads to opportunity, and that op- tion to issues of segregation and the high-risk youth into its programs in fine, civil rights movement. In 1945, Kath- portunity results in enhanced employment, performing, and cultural arts; academic achievement, and community life. Whereas Katherine Dunham founded the erine Dunham founded the Dunham I urge my colleagues to support this reau- Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Hu- School of Dance and Theater in Man- thorization. manities in 1969, and the Katherine Dunham hattan, thereby providing a centralized Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Museum and Children’s Workshop in 1977; location for students to immerse them- ance of my time. Whereas Katherine Dunham went on a 47- selves in dance technique while also The SPEAKER pro tempore. The day hunger strike in 1993 to call attention to studying topics in the humanities, lan- question is on the motion offered by the welfare of Haitians, thereby shifting pub- guages, ethics, philosophy and drama. the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. lic opinion concerning the United States’ re- In 1967, Katherine Dunham estab- lations with Haiti, and helping to precipitate lished a performing arts training cen- CASTLE) that the House suspend the the return of Haiti’s first democratically rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4278, as elected president; ter in East St. Louis, Missouri, which amended. Whereas Katherine Dunham has received 10 enrolled high risk youth into its pro- The question was taken; and (two- honorary doctorates and numerous awards, gram in fine, performing and cultural thirds having voted in favor thereof) including the Presidential Medal of Arts, the arts.

VerDate May 21 2004 03:05 Jun 15, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14JN7.056 H14PT1 June 14, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3921 In 1993, she went on a 47-day hunger lives of America’s youth and correcting in New York City on August 31, 2002: Now, strike to call attention to the welfare the social injustices at home and therefore, be it of Haitians, thereby shifting public around the world, using her fame to in- Resolved by the House of Representatives (the opinion concerning the United States crease support for the civil rights Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that Lionel Hampton should be public relations with Haiti, and helping movement and to fight injustices honored for his contributions to American to precipitate the return of Haiti’s first worldwide. She is a good example of a music and for his work as an ambassador of democratically elected President. person who has followed her passion goodwill and democracy. b 1715 and used her success for the greater The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- good. We need more Americans to fol- During her career Katherine Dunham ant to the rule, the gentleman from low her fine example. Delaware (Mr. CASTLE) and the gen- was a dancer, choreographer and a di- Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- rector on Broadway and was the first tleman from Ohio (Mr. RYAN) each will ance of my time. control 20 minutes. black choreographer at the Metropoli- Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I en- tan Opera. She has received 10 hon- The Chair recognizes the gentleman courage each of our Members to sup- from Delaware (Mr. CASTLE). orary doctorates and numerous awards, port the resolution. GENERAL LEAVE including the Presidential Medal of Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask Arts, the French Legion of Honor, the ance of my time. unanimous consent that all Members NAACP’s Lifetime Achievement Award The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. may have 5 legislative days within and the Kennedy Center Honors Award. BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- which to revise and extend their re- She continues to be an activist, tion offered by the gentleman from marks on H. Con. Res. 63. teacher and mentor to young people Delaware (Mr. CASTLE) that the House The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there throughout the world. I urge my col- suspend the rules and agree to the con- objection to the request of the gen- leagues to support House Concurrent current resolution, H. Con. Res. 62. tleman from Delaware? Resolution 62, which expresses the The question was taken; and (two- There was no objection. sense of Congress that Katherine thirds having voted in favor thereof) Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I Dunham should be recognized for her the rules were suspended and the con- yield myself such time as I may con- work as a teacher, dancer, choreog- current resolution was agreed to. sume. rapher and actress, for her dedication A motion to reconsider was laid on I rise in strong support in H. Con. to improving the opportunities in the the table. arts that are available to the Nation’s Res. 63, and H. Con. Res. 63 expresses youth and for her lifelong commitment f the sense of Congress that Lionel to humanitarian causes around the EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS Hampton should be honored for his world. THAT LIONEL HAMPTON SHOULD contributions to American music. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- BE HONORED FOR HIS CON- Starting in the 1930s on the vibra- ance of my time. TRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN phone as a contemporary of Louis Arm- Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I MUSIC strong and Benny Goodman, and stay- yield myself such time as I may con- ing active into the 1990s, Lionel Hamp- sume. Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I ton built one of the towering careers in I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. move to suspend the rules and agree to jazz music. A multi-instrumentalist, 62. I support this resolution which hon- the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. Hampton also enjoyed unmatched pop- ors Katherine Dunham. This renowned 63) expressing the sense of Congress ularity as a bandleader, showman and dancer was born in Illinois in 1909 and that Lionel Hampton should be hon- social activist. started studying dance in her early ored for his contributions to American As a musician his greatest impact teens. She was one of the first African music. was on the vibraphone, becoming the Americans to study at the University The Clerk read as follows: first great jazz improviser on the in- of Chicago, where she earned a doc- H. CON. RES. 63 strument. Over the years his big band torate degree in anthropology. Whereas Lionel Hampton was one of the featured some of the best known sing- As part of a research fellowship, Nation’s greatest jazz musicians, composers, ers and musicians in jazz history, and Dunham studied the anthropological and band leaders; it became one of the longest running Whereas Lionel Hampton was one of the and commercially successful institu- roots of dance in the Caribbean. Her re- first musicians to play the vibraphone in search led to the creation of the an- jazz, setting the standard for mastery of that tions in jazz. He also recorded exten- thropological dance movement which instrument; sively in many all-star small group focuses on folk, ethnic and cultural Whereas Lionel Hampton nurtured and in- projects at both sideman and leader. choreography. spired many of the greatest performers of Hampton became one of America’s In 1931, she started the first African- jazz music who would go on to fame in their most-beloved musical figures. His as- American ballet company in the United own right; tonishing longevity and extroverted States. Later she joined the faculty of Whereas Lionel Hampton shattered the ra- personality made him a favorite of ev- Southern Illinois University in cial barriers of his time when he was re- eryone from ordinary music fans to cruited to perform with the Benny Goodman Edwardsville, where she helped create a band in the 1930s, creating for the first time world leaders. performing arts training center and es- an integrated public face of jazz music; Lionel Hampton shattered the racial tablished a dance anthropology pro- Whereas Lionel Hampton, with his per- barriers of his time when he was re- gram. formances around the world, was a musical cruited to perform with the Benny She went on to create a community- ambassador of goodwill and friendship for Goodman band in the 1930s, creating based arts education program for im- the United States; for the first time an integrated public poverished young people in East St. Whereas Lionel Hampton was never de- face of jazz music Louis, the St. Louis metropolitan re- terred by fame from contributing to the Har- As a composer and arranger, Hamp- lem, New York, community that he viewed gion’s only multi-disciplinary arts or- as his home; ton wrote more than 200 works, includ- ganization devoted to the study, appre- Whereas Lionel Hampton was active in the ing the jazz standards Flying Home, ciation and celebration of diverse cul- development of affordable housing, among Evil Gal Blues and Midnight Sun. He tures. them Harlem’s Gladys Hampton Houses, also composed a major symphonic Throughout her illustrious career as named after his late wife, the former Gladys work, King David Suite. one of the word’s most respected danc- Riddle; As a statesman, he was asked by ers, choreographers and teachers, Ms. Whereas Lionel Hampton performed at the President Eisenhower to serve as a Dunham used her talents, fame and re- White House under Republican and Demo- goodwill ambassador for the United cratic presidents and was honored with the sources to call attention to social in- Presidential Gold Medal by President Bill States, and his band made many tours justices at home and abroad. Clinton; and in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and In closing, Madam Speaker, Kath- Whereas Lionel Hampton was born in Lou- the Far East, generating a huge inter- erine was dedicated to improving the isville, Kentucky on April 20, 1908, and died national following. President George

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