CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E97 HON
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February 8, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E97 HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOM- conscience of the entire world into the promise message, underpinning his music with the pol- PLISHMENTS OF CORETTA of universal freedom from oppression. Mrs. itics and theology of his Rastafarian beliefs SCOTT KING King’s brilliant legacy, framed in peace, deter- and his personal struggles in Jamaica. He has mination and dignity, will forever resound with inspired everyone from Stevie Wonder to The SPEECH OF the voice of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther Clash with his lyrics. HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH King, Jr.—along our urban streets, across the His music was a social force, calling for op- OF OHIO South and around the world—echoing the on- portunity, justice and freedom and challenging IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES going struggle for freedom in a chorus of hope those who sought change to act to achieve it. that will someday rise with their words on the Throughout his career, he was influenced by Wednesday, February 1, 2006 dawning of a new day of peace and justice for the gulf between haves and have-nots, a cul- Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in all. ture of oppression that was particularly evident honor and remembrance of Coretta Scott f in his poverty- and crime-ridden homeland. King, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and Reggae’s mesmerizing rhythms carried an un- civil rights leader, whose courageous mission CONGRATULATING THE GAINES- deniable signature that rose to the fore of the has left an indelible light of peace and justice VILLE FUTURE FARMERS OF music scene in the 1970s, largely through the visible across our country and around the AMERICA CHAPTER AT THE recorded work of Marley and his group the world. Mrs. King gracefully raised aloft the SOUTHWESTERN EXHIBITION Wailers. Some of his albums, such as Natty dreams and legacy of the most prominent vi- AND LIVESTOCK SHOW IN FORT Dread and Rastaman Vibration endure as sionary for social change in our nation’s his- WORTH reggae milestones that gave a voice to the tory, her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. poor of Jamaica and, by extension, the world. Their unified mission of peacefully dismantling HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS Much of his music today aims to uplift the im- the racist foundation of America would change OF TEXAS poverished and powerless, instilling in them a the course of our Nation forever. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES beautiful sense of dignity in their culture, de- Mrs. King’s entire life was framed by dignity, spite the hardships they encountered in their Wednesday, February 8, 2006 courage and an unwavering commitment to daily lives. In 1978, he received a United Na- social justice and humanitarian causes. She Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tions Peace Award for his attempts to calm grew up working in the cotton fields of Ala- congratulate members of the Gainesville Fu- the warring factions of Jamaican politics and bama, where she experienced the harsh re- ture Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter for played at Zimbabwe’s independence celebra- ality of racism. Taught by her parents that only their opportunity to exhibit livestock at The tions in 1980, where he came to learn that a solid education could open the door to free- Southwestern Exhibition and Livestock Show more Zimbabweans knew the lyrics of his dom and opportunity, Mrs. King focused on in Fort Worth. song than they did the words of the national her studies and graduated with honors from Seven members of the Gainesville FFA anthem. Antioch College in southern Ohio, one of the Chapter participated in events in late January. Marley died prematurely at age 36 in 1981, first integrated colleges in the country. While a Among the youth project exhibited were five after doctors discovered a cancerous growth student, she joined the NAACP and became lambs and two goats. Marlee Bell also exhib- on his foot haphazardly after a soccer game. deeply involved in the civil rights movement, ited a first place spring heifer in the Brangus Despite his death, the heartbeat reggae foregoing a career in music to carry out the junior heifer show. rhythms of the music that he left behind con- work of peace and justice. The Gainesville FFA chapter has been at- tinue to thrive today. Moreover, Jamaica itself The assassination of Dr. King did not dimin- tending the Fort Worth Stock show for some has been transformed by his legacy. Marley ish her resolve. She courageously forged time now, and they look forward to continuing was buried on the island with full state honors ahead on the road to justice, despite the dan- their participation for years to come. on May 21, 1981. In a crowning irony, given ger inherent in her noble cause. As a young This is the 110th year for the show, and is the reviled status that Rastafarians and their widow with four young children to raise, Mrs. billed as ‘‘the nation’s oldest livestock show.’’ music had once suffered at the hands of the King remained steadfast in her commitment to Participating in the show teaches students ag- Jamaican government, Marley’s pacifist her children and also unwavering in her deter- ricultural principles along with animal hus- reggae anthem, ‘‘One Love,’’ was adapted as mination to continue on the path set by Dr. bandry and livestock judging skills. a theme song by the Jamaican Tourist Board. King. She took up the torch of her late hus- I extend my sincere congratulations to these Bob Marley continues to live today in our band, holding it high and dignified, exposing a the youth of the Gainesville FFA Chapter for hearts and minds, as does his music. With an- broken society degraded by racism and injus- their success and participation. I wish them thems such as ‘‘Get Up Stand’’ he continues tice and illuminating the reality of peaceful the best of luck in their dedicated pursuit in fu- to fight for those who feel they cannot. With change. ture opportunities. such a vision, Marley continues to be worthy Refined, articulate and reflecting a quiet f of recognition and remembrance. grace, Mrs. King did not retreat from the f movement sparked by Dr. King. She delib- COMMEMORATION OF BOB erately stepped out into the sharp glare of the MARLEY’S BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO TERENCE W. STARZ, public and bravely marched on, leading civil MD protests where her husband had marched be- HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL fore. She led an unrelenting effort to establish OF NEW YORK HON. MELISSA A. HART Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an endeavor that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CONNECTICUT took her fifteen years and over six million peti- Wednesday, February 8, 2006 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tions. Determined to keep Dr. King’s legacy alive, Mrs. King founded the King Center in Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to Wednesday, February 8, 2006 1968, serving as its president for 26 years. pay homage to a man who gave a voice to the Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take Armed with a sharp mind, a warm smile and voiceless first in his native Jamaica and then this opportunity to congratulate Terence W. a passion for social change, Mrs. King jour- throughout the world. The legendary reggae Starz, M.D., who will become the 141st presi- neyed around the world, speaking to college singer Bob Marley would have turned 61 on dent of the Allegheny County Medical Society and church audiences and meeting with world Monday, February 6 and it is appropriate that on January 28, 2006. leaders. Mrs. King championed the rights of we pause to recognize the extraordinary im- Dr. Starz is an internal medicine physician the poor and advocated for social and eco- pact of his life and work. Not only did Marley at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center nomic justice for women and for the protection define reggae music as we know it today, but Presbyterian Hospital. He is board-certified by and rights of gay men and lesbian women. he introduced it outside his native land of Ja- the American Board of Internal Medicine, with She marched in protest against racial discrimi- maica, achieving international superstar status a subspecialty in Rheumatology. He currently nation across the South and was arrested for and shaping music on a global scale. His serves as a Delegate to the Pennsylvania protesting apartheid in South Africa. message of freedom and empowerment reso- Medical Society and is a member on the Alle- Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me nated everywhere and was an inspiration to a gheny County Medical Society Foundation in honor, recognition and memory of Coretta generation. Board. Scott King, whose life mission on behalf of While evolving his sound to encompass rock Over the years Dr. Starz has been influen- human rights has served to raise the collective and African themes, Marley never diluted his tial in the medical field. He was a prominent VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:14 Feb 09, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08FE8.050 E08FEPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMREMARKS E98 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 8, 2006 figure in the creation of the Obesity Task toward the light of academic and professional FFA, youth at the Fort Worth Stock Show. It Force, a collaboration of medical personnel, achievement. The accomplishments of Daniel is a prestige to have such success for our hospitals and business affiliates, to help iden- D. Drake are numerous and significant. He local youth.