2840 Hon. Laura Richardson

2840 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 158, Pt. 2 March 1, 2012 enforcing the decrees of a military dictatorship backed by the Charlie Parker band, which in- troversy and, when the special aired, it earned through brute force and without any demo- cluded the great Charlie Parker himself, Max high ratings. cratic legitimacy. Roach, and Miles Davis among others. At first Belafonte has continued his involvement in As future President Sam Houston and other he was a pop singer, launching his recording the civil rights struggle to this very day. Re- delegates signed the Texas Declaration of career on the Roost label in 1949, but later he cently, Belafonte spoke at the 50th SNCC An- Independence, General Santa Anna’s army developed a keen interest in folk music, learn- niversary Conference. besieged independence forces at the Alamo in ing material through the Library of Congress’ Belafonte did not limit his fight for justice to San Antonio. American folk songs archives. With guitarist the United States. He has spent his life and Four days after the signing, the Alamo fell and friend Millard Thomas, Belafonte soon career advocating for human rights around the with her commander Lt. Colonel William Bar- made his debut at the legendary jazz club The entire world. For example, disturbed by cruel rett Travis, Former Tennessee Congressman Village Vanguard. In 1952 he received a con- events unfolding in Africa as a result of war, David Crockett, and approximately 200 other tract with RCA Victor. famine and drought, Belafonte set in motion Texan defenders. His first wide-release single, which went on the wheels that led to ‘‘We Are the World,’’ the All these men were killed in action, a heroic to become his ‘‘signature’’ song with audience iconic song and music video organized by Mi- sacrifice for Texan freedom. If this tragedy participation in virtually all his live perform- chael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, that raised were not enough, weeks later Santa Anna’s ances, was ‘‘Matilda,’’ recorded April 27, 1953. millions in support of famine relief efforts in Af- army massacred over 300 unarmed Texans at His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) be- rica. In 1987, Belafonte accepted the appoint- Goliad on March 27. came the first LP to sell over 1 million copies. ment as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador—the In a dramatic turnaround, Texans achieved The album introduced American audiences to second American to hold this position—the their independence several weeks later on Calypso music and Belafonte was dubbed the first was Danny Kaye. April 21, 1836. Roughly 900 members of the ‘‘King of Calypso.’’ Belafonte was also the first Belafonte has continued to devote himself Texan army overpowered a much larger Mexi- African American man to win an Emmy, with globally to civil and human rights issues, fo- can army in a surprise attack at the Battle of his first solo TV special Tonight with Belafonte cusing in particular on the United States and San Jacinto. I am proud to represent the San (1959). Africa. ‘‘My social and political interests are Jacinto Battlefield and State Park. More than a musician and entertainer, part of my career. I can’t separate them,’’ said That battle is memorialized along the San Belafonte was a civil rights activist and tireless Belafonte. ‘‘My songs reflect the human condi- Jacinto River with the San Jacinto Monument. leader. Belafonte’s political beliefs are greatly tion. The role of art isn’t just to show life as The monument is larger than the Washington inspired by the man that he still views to this it is, but to show life as it should be.’’ day as his mentor: singer and activist Paul Monument here in DC. Belafonte’s international civil rights accom- Robeson. He strongly opposed racial preju- Today we give thanks to the many Texans plishments also include his contribution to dice, segregation, and discrimination in the that sacrificed for the freedom we now enjoy. ending the oppressive apartheid in South Afri- United States. Like Robeson and other black God bless Texas and God bless America. ca and securing the release of his friend, Nel- entertainers, Belafonte’s success in the arts f son Mandela, imprisoned for twenty seven and did not protect him from racial discrimination, a half years. CELEBRATING HARRY particularly in the American South. As a result, Belafonte was appointed by President John BELAFONTE’S 85TH BIRTHDAY Belafonte refused to perform in the South from F. Kennedy Cultural Advisor for the Peace 1954 until 1961. HON. LAURA RICHARDSON Also in the 1950s, Belafonte met a young Corps, a position he held for five years. He has been honored many times by such di- OF CALIFORNIA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the latter’s his- verse groups as the American Jewish Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES toric visit to New York. From that eventful first meeting until the day Dr. King was assas- gress, the NAACP, the City of Hope, Fight for Thursday, March 1, 2012 sinated, Belafonte and Dr. King maintained a Sight, The Urban League, The National Con- Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise deep and abiding friendship. ference of Black Mayors, the Anti-Defamation today to ask the House to join me in extending Dr. King, Jr., said of Belafonte, ‘‘[his] global League of B’nai B’rith, the ACLU, the State warm wishes to Mr. Harry Belafonte, a great popularity and his commitment to our cause is Department, the Boy Scouts of America, Ha- American who celebrates his 85th birthday a key ingredient to the global struggle for free- dassah International and the Peace Corps. today. dom and a powerful tactical weapon in the He has received awards from the Bronx Harry Belafonte is not only the consummate Civil Rights movement here in America. We Community College for his work with children, entertainer, but he is a tireless civil rights ad- are blessed by his courage and moral integ- the Albert Einstein Award from Yeshiva Uni- vocate. He has used the fame and wealth that rity.’’ versity, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize he earned early on in his career as a musician Mr. Belafonte could always be counted on and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors and actor to support and advance the cause to be there when the need was greatest. He for excellence in the performing arts. He was of civil and human rights. was there to provide the money to secure Dr. the first recipient of the Nelson Mandela Cour- Harry Belafonte was born Harold George King’s release from Birmingham City Jail. He age Award and was honored at the White Belafonte, Jr., at Lying-in Hospital, New York raised thousands of dollars to post the bail House with the 1994 National Medal of Arts City, New York. He was the son of Melvine, a needed to release other jailed civil rights pro- from President Clinton for his contributions to housekeeper, and Harold George Belafonte, testers. He financed the Freedom Rides, sup- our nation’s cultural life. He has received hon- Sr., a Jamaican who worked as chef in the ported voter registration drives, and helped to orary degrees from City University of New Royal Navy. From 1932 to 1940, he lived with organize the March on Washington in 1963. York, Spellman College in Atlanta, Tufts Uni- his grandmother in the village of Aboukir in During ‘‘Freedom Summer’’ in 1964, versity, Brandeis University, Long Island Uni- her native country of Jamaica. When he re- Belafonte financed the Student Non-Violent versity, Bard College and most recently Doctor turned to New York City he attended George Coordinating Committee, SNCC, flying to Mis- of Humane Letters from Columbia University. Washington High School after which he joined sissippi that August with $60,000 in cash and In 2010, the Congressional Black Caucus the Navy and served during World War II. entertaining crowds in Greenwood with his Foundation honored Mr. Belafonte with its At the end of the 1940s, he took classes in ‘‘Banana Boat Song.’’ In 1968, Belafonte ap- prestigious Phoenix Award. acting at the Dramatic Workshop of The New peared on a Petula Clark primetime television Mr. Speaker, Harry Belafonte has devoted School in New York with the influential Ger- special on NBC. In the middle of a song, Clark his life to the cause of freedom, justice, equal- man director Erwin Piscator alongside Marlon smiled and briefly touched Belafonte’s arm, ity, and human dignity. His has been an im- Brando, Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Bea Ar- which made the show’s sponsor, Plymouth portant and consequential life. And he is still thur, and Sidney Poitier, while performing with Motors, nervous. Plymouth wanted to cut out going strong. the American Negro Theatre. the segment, but Clark, who had ownership of So on the occasion of his 85th birthday, I Belafonte started his career in music as a the special, told NBC that the performance rise to say Mr. Belafonte: Happy birthday and club singer in New York, a job he took to help would be shown intact or she would not allow thank you for your active faith, your lifetime of pay for his acting classes. The first time he the special to be aired at all. American news- service, your tireless devotion to human rights appeared in front of an audience he was papers published articles reporting the con- and freedom. VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:11 Mar 22, 2017 Jkt 019102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR12\E01MR2.000 E01MR2 rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD March 1, 2012 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol.

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