E1428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 19, 2018 the residents who call her ‘‘home.’’ Most Mis- the church and a spirit to help fellow African HONORING ROBERT HOOKS sissippians have a warrior spirit, a tenacity, a Americans improve their lives in their twelve willingness to do whatever it takes to live and children. Hood’s father was a Methodist min- HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON nurture each other with compassion and inten- ister and his work moved the family around OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA tional care. These qualities embody one of the country as he served various churches. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mississippi’s youngest and most determined Together, Hood’s parents became involved in Friday, October 19, 2018 warriors—ten-year-old Emma Hartley. the AME Zion church, established as the Emma was born August 2, 2008, missing a Methodist church for Blacks. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to heart valve. Less than 24 hours after her birth, ask the House of Representatives to join me Upon coming of age, James Walker Hood’s Emma underwent the first of what would be- in recognizing Robert ‘‘Bobby’’ Dean Hooks, a moral and religious convictions led him into come many surgeries. Perhaps it was an in- native of the District of Columbia, for his life- ministry. In 1856, Hood secured his license to nate fighting spirit and a purpose to persevere time of empowering African Americans in the preach from the New York Conference of the for the sake of loving others that brought arts and for his contributions to race relations AME Zion Church. In the following years, Emma and her heart safely through that first in the District. Hood moved to Connecticut and Nova Scotia critical surgery. Perhaps she knew then that Robert Hooks’ lifelong passion for theater to preach and work as a missionary. In early she would need to grow strong and develop a began at the age of nine with his first play, 1864, following the path of the Union Army, voice to encourage others to face tough bat- The Pirates of Penzance. He later honed his Hood was appointed to missionary work in tles with a smile. Perhaps it is simply that God stagecraft at West Philadelphia High in clas- North Carolina, recognizing that legal slavery has big plans for this little girl. What is known sical works by playwrights such as William would soon end. He would then stay in North is that Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is blessed by Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett. In 1959, Carolina for the remainder of his life. Emma’s heart, beating now for over 10 years, Mr. Hooks pursued acting professionally in and Emma’s desire to make a difference in Although Hood was met with strong opposi- New York City with works such as Lorraine the lives of those facing similar health chal- tion in establishing the North Carolina Con- Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and LeRoi lenges. ference of AME Zion Church for African Amer- Jones/Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman in his rep- Emma has outlived the expectations of icans, he persuaded the Black Southern Meth- ertoire. Mr. Hooks simultaneously launched his many of her doctors, and she will soon under- odist congregations in New Bern and Beaufort, award-winning television career with his go her fifth surgery. Before age 18, she is like- North Carolina to affiliate with the AME Zion groundbreaking role as the first African Amer- ly to face several more; but, she endures each Church. Among the more than 300 churches ican lead on the original N.Y.P.D. series. He procedure with courage and grace. From an he successfully established in North Carolina is recognized for his over 100 roles in film and early age, Emma participated with her mom, are St. Peter’s AME Zion Church (New Bern), television in a career that spanned over 40 Lisa Northrup, in fundraising efforts such as Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church (Fay- years. Rock Your Scar, the March of Dimes, Mended etteville), and St. John AME Zion Church (Wil- During his time in New York City, Mr. Hooks Little Hearts, and the Heart Walk for the Amer- son). also started the Group Theater Workshop and ican Heart Association. Now, with the support After becoming a Presiding Bishop in 1872, the Negro Ensemble Company, both of which of family, friends, and her church, Emma Bishop James Walker Hood resided in Fay- offered free training in the arts to underprivi- champions her own efforts, working hard to etteville until his death on October 30, 1918. leged New York City youth. raise funds, give speeches, and boost aware- He is interred in Cross Creek Cemetery in Following the assassination of Dr. Martin ness of these causes in her local commu- Fayetteville. Hood helped establish Zion Wes- Luther King, Jr., Mr. Hooks returned to the city nities. ley Institute, now Livingstone College, in Salis- of his birth—a move he made after meeting Crafting and creating artwork, two of bury, North Carolina to train African American with radio host Petey Greene and then-City Emma’s hobbies, are incorporated into her students for the ministry and to become pro- Administrator Walter E. Washington about the philanthropic efforts, too. For one of her fund- ductive citizens in North Carolina. He presided riots of 1968, which had engulfed the District. raisers this year Emma sold handcrafted wood over the school’s board of trustees for over In 1970, Mr. Hooks unveiled his plans for the signs, some of which were ordered from far thirty years. DC Black Repertory Company, an all-black away. Also, Emma’s artwork has been repro- theater company in the District, as part of a duced in awards given to the top Heart Walk Bishop Hood was politically active on behalf plan to harness what he believed to be the so- high achievers. of his people. In 1865, he presided over the cially transformative power of theater. This year’s Gulf Coast Heart Walk is on first statewide political convention for African Mr. Hooks executed his plan in partnership September 22. Emma will offer the opening Americans. In 1868, he participated in the with D.C.-area black theater professionals and prayer to start the event. Mississippi is fortu- state constitutional convention, which abol- students at Howard University. The DC Black nate to have such a brave, talented, ambi- ished slavery, provided universal male suf- Repertory Company directly contributed to re- tious, and inspiring warrior, like Emma Hartley. frage, and established free public education ducing community tensions during those tu- for all children. He also held several govern- f multuous times. The group produced more ment positions, including magistrate and as- than 20 plays, telling black stories that had not COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF sistant superintendent of the North Carolina been told. The DC Black Repertory Company BISHOP JAMES WALKER HOOD Freedman’s Bureau. was dissolved in 1976, but its legacy con- ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNI- Bishop Hood was a man of courage, convic- tinues through The Rep, Inc. VERSARY OF HIS PASSING tion, and persistence. He was unwavering in Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Represent- his commitment to the cause of Christianity atives to join me in recognizing Robert Hooks HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD and the establishment of the AME Zion for his lasting artistic and social contributions OF NORTH CAROLINA Church in North Carolina. It is remarkable that to the African American community and to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bishop Hood, who had little formal education, District of Columbia. Friday, October 19, 2018 would publish five books, including The Negro f in the Christian Pulpit (1884) and Sketch of Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise the Early History of the African Methodist HONORING MARY LOU BATCHELOR today to recognize the legendary Bishop Episcopal Zion Church (1914). WITH CALIFORNIA’S THIRD DIS- James Walker Hood on the occasion of the TRICT WOMAN OF THE YEAR 100th anniversary of his passing. Bishop Hood Mr. Speaker, by the grace of God, Bishop AWARD is credited with establishing the North Carolina James Walker Hood left an indelible mark on African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Con- North Carolina that is still recognized one hun- HON. JOHN GARAMENDI ference, the Prince Hall Masons of North dred years after his passing on October 30, 1918. OF CALIFORNIA Carolina, and Livingstone College, all in my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES home state of North Carolina. On behalf of the people of the First Con- On May 30, 1831, James Walker Hood was gressional District of North Carolina, ask my Friday, October 19, 2018 born to Levi and Harriet Walker Hood on the colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today farm of Ephraim Jackson in Chester County, James Walker Hood’s life, work, and legacy to honor Mary Lou Batchelor as a woman of Pennsylvania, nine miles from Wilmington, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the year. She is well-known in Solano County Delaware. Hood’s parents instilled their love of his passing. as a community leader, activist and public

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