1926 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE February 9, 2005 cities and transportation hubs, such as LAX ter in the United States. Currently, this argu- Americans from foreign terrorists who have in- airport in Los Angeles. This area alone ac- ment cannot be used against them and is not filtrated the United States. counts for nearly 50 percent of national appre- grounds for deportation. I think all Americans—and those of us on hensions of illegal immigrants nationwide. This bill gives the power to refuse terrorists both sides of the aisle—can agree that the A significant number of illegal immigrants entry to the United States and allows terrorists 9/11 Commission identified a number of im- that have been apprehended in this area can to be deported back to their home country. provements that will help upgrade our intel- be directly attributed to the San Diego fence Terrorists have long been abusing our system ligence and enhance America’s security. This that was constructed a few years ago. The in order to gain entry. This bill provides a list bill provides common sense provisions to help San Diego fence is a project that was started of long-accepted commonsense factors that prevent another 9/11-type attack by protecting several years ago, but a 3.5-mile section of an immigration judge can consider in assess- our borders and disrupting terrorist travel in the fence was not completed due to environ- ing credibility, such as the demeanor, candor, the United States. I urge members to vote in mental concerns. The portions of the San responsiveness and consistency of an asylum favor of the REAL ID Act. Diego fence that have been built have proven applicant or other witness. It is essential for The Acting CHAIRMAN. All time for to be successful and are credited with signifi- judges to be able to determine asylum cases general debate has expired. Under the cant declines in attempted border crossings in based on the credibility or lack of credibility of rule, the Committee rises. that area. The existing fence needs improve- witnesses. Accordingly, the Committee rose; ments and must be extended 3.5 miles to its Again, I would to thank Chairman SENSEN- and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. originally planned length. BRENNER for his efforts in getting this bill to the MCCAUL) having assumed the chair, This legislation puts those priorities front floor and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote Mr. LAHOOD, The Acting Chairman of and center by granting the Secretary of Home- in favor of this bill because these reforms are the Committee of the Whole House on land Security the authority to waive all Federal necessary to our national security. the State of the Union, reported that laws in order to complete the fence. In addi- Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Chairman, I rise that Committee, having had under con- tion, this bill will increase the funding to im- today in support of H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act sideration the bill (H.R. 418) to estab- prove the existing fence with a 3-tiered fence of 2005. First, I would like to thank Chairman lish and rapidly implement regulations system and complete the original designed SENSENBRENNER and the Judiciary Committee for State driver’s license and identi- length. While environmental issues plays an for their leadership on this bill, and for their fication document security standards, appropriate role in our Nations’ policies, the dedication to securing our borders and pro- to prevent terrorists from abusing the environmental and national security impacts of tecting Americans from terrorists. asylum laws of the United States, to having illegal immigrants trample this portion My objective throughout debate over H.R. unify terrorism-related grounds for in- of the border is greater than the concerns re- 10 was to get a bill that fully addressed all of admissibility and removal, and to en- garding building and completing the fence. our nation’s security concerns. That means sure expeditious construction of the Lastly, recent press accounts have reported not only reforming how we gather and use in- San Diego border fence, had come to no that Al Qaeda operatives have joined forces telligence, but also how we fight terrorism at resolution thereon. with alien smuggling rings in order to enter the home. I believe that the final bill that came to f United States, particularly through the south- the floor fell short. That’s why I voted against ern border with Mexico. The time to act on the it. HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOM- San Diego border fence is now. However, the REAL ID Act implements cru- PLISHMENTS OF THE LATE Drivers’ License: REAL ID Act also bolsters cial provisions that were dropped from H.R. 10 OSSIE DAVIS stronger security standards for the issuance of and fixes several glaring holes in our border Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, drivers’ licenses to aliens. This bill will estab- security. One of the most important provisions I move to suspend the rules and agree lish requirements that help prove lawful pres- in this legislation asks states to work with the to the resolution (H. Res. 69) honoring ence in the United States prior to issuing a li- Department of Homeland Security to establish the life and accomplishments of the cense to individuals. In addition, it is critical and use standards for drivers’ licenses. late Ossie Davis. that all states must comply to eliminate weak Many states already have licenses that are The Clerk read as follows: links in the domestic identity security. We difficult to counterfeit. Other states don’t have H. RES. 69 have all seen the failures of cards such as the stringent safeguards. Whereas the late Ossie Davis, actor and Matriculate Consular cards and the wide- Some have argued that this bill creates a civil rights leader, was born Raiford spread fraud that can take place. This bill re- national ID. It doesn’t. I would oppose any bill Chatman Davis, the oldest of five children quires tough physical security requirements to that did so. This bill simply requires states to born to Laura Cooper and Kince Davis, on reduce counterfeiting and to ensure state com- make it harder for someone like Muhammad December 18, 1917, in Cogdell, Georgia; pliance with such standards. Lastly, drivers’ li- Atta to get a driver’s license, and to use that Whereas Ossie Davis graduated in the top 5 censes that are issued in compliance with the license to carry out terror plans. percent of his high school class, received a new regulations will expire when an alien’s As the 9/11 Commission noted: ‘‘All but one National Youth Administration scholarship, visa expires to alleviate any confusion or abil- of the 9/11 hijackers acquired some form of and walked from Waycross, Georgia, to Washington, D.C., to attend Howard Univer- ity for terrorists to maintain a false/fake drivers U.S. identification document, some by fraud.’’ sity, where he studied with Alain Leroy license while their visa has expired. Con- Increased ID security will make it more difficult Locke, the first black Rhodes Scholar; necting the two forms of identification will en- for terrorists to obtain documents through Whereas Ossie Davis began his career as a sure that law enforcement officers and federal fraud and conceal their identity. Deterring ter- writer and an actor with the Rose agents will be on notice when a visa expires rorists from receiving state issued IDs will McClendon Players in Harlem in 1939; and will not be fooled by a separate and fake make it more likely that they will be detected Whereas during World War II Ossie Davis state ID that has not expired. by law enforcement. served in the Army in an African-American Asylum Provisions: Finally, the REAL ID Act This bill also tightens our asylum system— medical unit, including service as an Army surgical technician in Libya, where he will tighten the asylum system that has been a system that has been abused by terrorists worked on stabilizing some of the 700,000 sol- abused and gamed by terrorists for years. with deadly consequences—by allowing diers wounded in that war for transport back This bill allows judges to determine a wit- judges to determine whether asylum seekers to State-side hospitals; nesses’ credibility in their asylum cases. With- are truthful. Whereas Ossie Davis made his Broadway out this change, judges have no discretion in Additionally, the bill will protect the Amer- debut in 1946 in Jeb, where he met his wife, determining the credibility of witnesses testi- ican people by ensuring that grounds for keep- actress Ruby Dee, who he married in 1948; fying that they are being persecuted. Judge’s ing a terrorist out of the country are also Whereas Ossie Davis went on to perform in hands have been tied over the years and must grounds for deportation. Incredibly, we have many Broadway productions, including Anna Lucasta, The Wisteria Trees, Green Pastures, just grant asylum in every case where perse- legal justification to prevent an individual from Jamaica, Ballad for Bimshire, A Raisin in the cution has been raised and have not been entering the country if they have known ter- Sun, The Zulu and the Zayda, and I’m Not able to go beyond that point. This has allowed rorist ties, however, under current U.S. law Rappaport. terrorists who have been persecuted in their once they set foot inside the border we cannot Whereas in 1961, he wrote and starred in home country for being terrorists to seek shel- deport them. This hinders our ability to protect the critically acclaimed Purlie Victorious;

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 9, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 1927 Whereas Ossie Davis’ first movie role was which to revise and extend their re- Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, in No Way Out in 1950, followed by appear- marks on the resolution under consid- I thank the gentleman for yielding me ances in The Cardinal in 1963, The Hill in 1965, eration. this time. First, I would like to thank and The Scalphunters in 1968; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the gentlewoman from California Whereas Ossie Davis made his feature debut as a writer/director with Cotton Comes objection to the request of the gen- (Leader PELOSI) and the gentleman to Harlem in 1970 and later directed Kongi’s tleman from Georgia? from Texas (Leader DELAY) and the Harvest in 1971, Black Girl in 1972, Gordon’s There was no objection. members of the Committee on Govern- War in 1973, and Countdown at Kusini in 1976; Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, ment Reform; the gentleman from Vir- Whereas Ossie Davis held numerous lead- I yield myself such time as I may con- ginia (Chairman TOM DAVIS), the gen- ing and supporting television and motion sume. tleman from California (Ranking Mem- picture roles throughout his distinguished Mr. Speaker, America was dealt an ber WAXMAN), my good friend, the gen- career; awful setback over the weekend in tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS), as Whereas Ossie Davis was a leading activist in the civil rights era of the 1960s when he Miami, Florida. The distinguished well as their staffs, for helping to move joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the actor, director, producer and advocate this important resolution, H. Res. 69, crusade for jobs and freedom and to help Ossie Davis passed away at the age of to the floor as quickly as they did. Let raise money for the Freedom Riders; 87. He died doing what he loved most: me also thank the gentleman from Whereas Ossie and Ruby Dee Davis, having he was shooting a movie. Georgia (Mr. KINGSTON), who rep- protested the injustices of the McCarthy Era Mr. Speaker, Ossie Davis stood out resents Georgia’s first district which House Committee on Un-American Activities both in the fields of theater and human includes the town of Cogdell, Georgia, in the 1950s, were blacklisted from Holly- justice. We have enjoyed all of Davis’s the birth place of Ossie Davis and, wood; Whereas Ossie and Ruby Dee Davis raised regal performances in recent movies Waycross, Georgia, where Mr. Davis their voices for numerous causes, including like ‘‘Grumpy Old Men,’’ ‘‘The Client,’’ grew up, for his cosponsorship and for support for the United Negro College Fund, ‘‘Do the Right Thing,’’ and ‘‘Jungle his efforts to bring this resolution to vocal opposition to the Vietnam War, and Fever,’’ and in television programs like the floor in short order. Also, I thank participation in the August 28, 1963, March ‘‘Evening Shade.’’ my colleague, the gentleman from on Washington, D.C., at which the Rev. Mar- Mr. Speaker, Ossie Davis was also a Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND), for his tin Luther King, Jr. delivered his ‘‘I Have a powerful social advocate. He was a tire- efforts and his activity in helping to Dream’’ speech. less worker on behalf of the civil honor this great Georgian. Whereas Ossie Davis served for 12 years as master of ceremonies at the annual National rights, and particularly voting rights, b 1615 for all Americans. Memorial Day Concerts on the grounds of We are here today to honor a great It is remarkable to note that Ossie the United States Capitol and was an advo- American, a veteran, a civil rights Davis was also half of one of the most cate on behalf of the Nation’s veterans; leader, a social justice activist, and a Whereas Ossie Davis eulogized both Dr. revered couples of American stage and tremendous talent, Mr. Ossie Davis. We Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X at screen. Mr. Davis’s wife, Ruby Dee lost him this past Friday, February 4, their funerals; Davis, appeared in more than 20 films at the age of 87. Whereas Ossie Davis was inducted into the and scores of theater productions her- Theater Hall of Fame in 1994 and received in- Ossie once said, ‘‘Struggle is numerable honors and citations throughout self. In December, the Kennedy Center strengthening. Battling with evil gives his life, including the Hall of Fame Award here in Washington honored both Ossie us the power to battle evil even more.’’ for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in and Dee Davis as part of the 27th Ken- Empowered and inspired by his own 1989, the United States National Medal for nedy Center Honors for their extraor- struggle, Ossie fought for what was the Arts in 1995, the New York Urban League dinary contributions to the arts. The right. He fought with his voice, with Frederick Douglass Award, NAACP Image two were married for 57 years. Ossie Award, and the Screen Actor’s Guild Life- his example, with his art. Davis is survived by his wife. Above all, Ossie Davis was an artist. time Achievement Award in 2001; If my distinguished colleague, the Whereas Ossie Davis and his wife, Ruby The eldest of five children, Ossie Davis gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BISHOP), Dee, are the parents of three children and grew up with the gruesome realities of have recently published their joint autobiog- would indulge me, I would wish to offer lynchings and the Ku Klux Klan, yet he raphy, With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life To- the most sincere condolences of all was inspired by Shakespeare. At the gether; and Members of the House to Ruby Dee and age of 18 with nothing more than a $10 Whereas Davis enjoyed a long and lumi- the Davis family during these heart- bill and the dream of becoming a play- nous career in entertainment along with his rending days. wright, Ossie Davis hitchhiked from wife before he died in Miami, Florida, at the Mr. Speaker, the president of the rural Georgia to Washington, D.C., age of 87 on Friday, February 4, 2005, where Screen Actors Guild, Melissa Gilbert, where he studied at Howard University. he was making a movie called ‘‘Retirement’’: made this fitting statement last week Now, therefore be it He left school 3 years later only to live Resolved, That the House of Representa- following the death of Mr. Davis, who his dream of becoming a writer and an tives— was a Screen Actors Guild Life actor with the Rose McClendon Players (1) recognizes the extraordinary contribu- Achievement Award recipient: ‘‘Along in Harlem in 1939. tions to the Nation of the late Ossie Davis with his remarkable wife, Ruby Dee, His acting career was interrupted in for his service to the Nation in the military, Ossie Davis’s impact on America can be World War II when the Army sent him as a civil rights leader, and as an actor; seen not only in his rich body of cre- to Liberia, where he served at the (2) honors him as a great American and ative works, but equally so as a pas- pioneer in the annals of American history; Army’s first black station hospital be- and sionate advocate for social justice and fore being transferred to Special Serv- (3) expresses its deepest condolences upon human dignity.’’ ices to write and produce stage shows his death to his wife Ruby Dee Davis, his Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the troops. other family members, and his friends. from Georgia for proposing this resolu- He returned to the States committed The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tion to the House. I am proud to be a to the power of art and its capacity to ant to the rule, the gentleman from cosponsor of House Resolution 69 that make viewers more human, to teach Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND) and the honors the life of Ossie Davis. I urge them to live. gentleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) adoption of this resolution. He was a trailblazer for African each will control 20 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Americans on stage. He debuted on The Chair recognizes the gentleman my time. Broadway in 1946 in ‘‘Jeb,’’ and while from Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND). Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the show ran for only 9 days, it was GENERAL LEAVE it is my pleasure to yield 6 minutes to during that production that he met his Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. wife, actress Ruby Dee. I would be neg- I ask unanimous consent that all Mem- BISHOP), the originator of this legisla- ligent if I did not recognize and high- bers may have 5 legislative days within tion. light the importance of this event as it

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He prince. minating with last year’s ‘‘She Hate went about his work of activism very Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, Me.’’ As a playwright, he was most fa- quietly, but yet he was very, very ef- I have no further speakers at this mo- mous for the 1961’s controversial send- fective because when you do that, most ment, and I reserve the balance of my up of racial stereotypes, ‘‘Purlie Vic- people listen. And I think he was effec- time. torious,’’ a production which would in- tive in more ways than as someone who Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I spire his relationship with Malcolm X. stood up and beat on his chest. He yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Believing that art and activism can served at a positive role model. Georgia (Mr. BARROW). go hand-in-hand, Ossie Davis never I want to thank Ossie Davis for his Mr. BARROW. Mr. Speaker, it is an shied away from roles that took on the role in supporting this country and for honor to have the opportunity to pay status quo. Rather, he sought them out being a role model. my respects to a fellow native Geor- on stage and in life. Earlier today I wanted to also speak gian, especially a man like Ossie Davis. On the stage and on the screen or in When singer-actor Paul Robeson was on the Tuskegee Airmen because they the public spotlight, Ossie Davis used targeted by the anti-Communist witch- also served as a role model. I have been his art and his talent to open Amer- hunts of the 1950s, Ossie Davis and honored by being with the Tuskegee ica’s eyes, exposing the inequality and Ruby Dee were steadfast in their sup- Airmen on several occasions. They injustice of racial segregation, fighting port even as they were blacklisted fought for their country. They never the witch-hunts of the 1950s, and pro- lost a single bomber that they es- themselves. They were brave. viding a voice of strength and honor for They were at the forefront of the 1963 corted, and they served this country those Americans struggling just to March on Washington, and when their proudly and also served as positive role gain their basic freedoms. friend Malcolm X was assassinated, models. Many of those role models are Those of us who grew up during the Davis delivered a moving eulogy for still alive today. turbulent times of the 1950s and 1960s the controversial leader, whom he So I would like to thank again Mem- will remember the challenges our coun- praised as ‘‘our own black shining bers on both sides of the aisle. Let us try faced, and we will never forget prince’’ and ‘‘our living black man- honor Ossie Davis for the man that he those individuals who led our country hood,’’ words that at the time took was, for the activist that he was, for through those years. courage to deliver. the actor that he was, and the father Ossie Davis was an activist and an Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee raised that he was. artist, but he was also a leader whose their voices for numerous causes, in- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I life we should celebrate. Without ques- cluding support for the United Negro yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from tion, Ossie and his wife of 56 years, College Fund and vocal opposition to Georgia (Mr. SCOTT). Ruby Dee, are role models for all gen- the war in Vietnam. But above all, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, erations to remember. Ossie Davis was an artist, his roles ul- what a sad occasion. We come to pay a I urge all my colleagues to pay our timately too numerous to count, yet great tribute to a great American. And respects and extend our condolences to all were memorable; and we take com- I want to join with my colleagues who Ruby Dee and the entire Davis family fort that he left this world doing what are all here in recognition of this. by supporting H. Res. 69. he loved. Ossie Davis personified all that is Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I As Spike Lee said, ‘‘For an actor, if good and what is right about America. yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman you’ve got to go, that’s the way to go Coming out of the backwoods of Geor- from New York (Mrs. LOWEY). out, still working, still ready to go.’’ gia, Cogell, Georgia, he soon became Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise I know that my colleagues will now recognized as a renaissance man, to do today in honor of Ossie Davis, a civil join me in recognizing the tremendous so many things so well, actor, play- rights advocate, a celebrated actor, achievements and body of work that wright, writer, civil rights leader, hu- dedicated family man, upstanding resi- Ossie Davis has left as his legacy. Our manitarian, all of these things. dent of Westchester County, and my sincerest condolences go out his family I happened to know and got to know dear friend. I feel very fortunate to and all who knew and loved him. him through his work in the Alliance have known Ossie and to have rep- But this is why we today in the Theater in Atlanta and on the trips he resented him and his wife, Ruby Dee, United States House of Representatives made down to Florida A&M University. for the last 16 years. join in consideration of H. Res. 69, And on so many occasions when he Ossie Davis will be remembered by which recognizes the extraordinary spoke, everybody listened. And one of millions of Americans as an out- contributions to the Nation of the late the things he enjoyed most was a poem standing actor. From his very first Ossie Davis, for his service to the Na- that I think best personifies Ossie movie role in the 1950s ‘‘No Way Out’’ tion in the military, as a civil rights Davis. And he would use this poem at to roles in such classics as ‘‘Raisin In leader and as an actor, and honors him the end of everything that he would The Sun,’’ ‘‘Roots: The Next Genera- as a great American and pioneer in the say. tion,’’ ‘‘Miss Evers’ Boys,’’ Ossie’s ac- annals of American history, and ex- He would say, ‘‘Well, son, I’ll tell complishments as an actor were truly presses its deepest condolences upon you, you know, life for me ain’t been amazing. He well deserved the many his death to his wife, Ruby Dee Davis, no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it and honors and awards he received, most his other family members and all of his splinters and boards torn up, no carpet recently as a Kennedy Center Honoree friends and fans across the world. on the floor, bare. But all the while I’s along with his wife, Ruby Dee. Thank you, Ossie. We will miss you. been aclimbing on and reaching land- But Ossie’s legacy goes well beyond Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, ings and turning corners and some- all that. His advocacy for civil rights is I yield such time as he may consume to times going in the dark where there legendary. At a time when such activ- the gentleman from California (Mr. ain’t been no light. So, boy, don’t you ism would cost an actor his career, he CUNNINGHAM). stop. Don’t you sit down on the steps refused to be silent in the face of injus- Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I because you find it’s kinda hard. Don’t tice and he used his celebrity to draw would like to thank Members on both you fall now. For I’s still climbing. I’s attention to the plight of African sides of the aisle. Ossie Davis was more still going on, honey. You see, life for Americans. From his eulogy at the fu- than just an actor. All of us benefited me ain’t been no crystal stair.’’ neral for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 9, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 1929 to his memorable voice-overs for the his life companion, Ruby Dee, and his final days is proof that he remained young in United Negro College Fund, uttering entire family. The world has lost a spirit. I will dearly miss my friend Ossie Davis. the now-famous words, ‘‘A mind is a great man of distinction who will be My thoughts and prayers are with Ruby Dee terrible thing to waste,’’ Ossie contin- sorely missed. and his family. ued throughout his life to fight for May his soul rest in peace. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, civil rights and he became one of the Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to towering figures in that struggle. it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. I have so much admiration for all the gentlewoman from California (Ms. MCKINNEY). that Ossie Davis did for my commu- WATERS), another contemporary and Ms. MCKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I had nity, for Westchester County and the friend and colleague of Ossie Davis. the honor of knowing Ossie Davis. I Nation. I am proud to have represented Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank met him during my 2-year hiatus from him in the Congress. the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Congress, and after learning of my I join my constituents, all his DAVIS) for yielding this time to me. story, he joined the thousands of Amer- friends, his fans and the world in Mr. Speaker, it is very difficult for icans who, too, were outraged at my mourning his passing. Our thoughts me to accept the fact that Ossie Davis treatment by the dominant political and prayers are with Ruby and his en- has passed. I am deeply saddened by his personalities of the day and the media. tire family. I urge my colleagues to departure, and I will truly miss him. I He and his wife were committed to my join me in support of this resolution to loved Ossie Davis and I love Ruby Dee, return to Congress and acted on that honor the legacy of Ossie Davis. his wife of over 50 years. They are my commitment. The Dee-Davis family Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I friends, and whenever I had the oppor- mourns but all of America mourns, too. yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman tunity to be with them, I chose to Ossie Davis is of particular note be- from California (Ms. LEE). spend my time that way. cause he utilized the platform of an Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to His death is an incalculable loss to arts icon as a part of his struggle thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. the world of arts and entertainment, against injustice in this country. DAVIS) for his leadership and for yield- but more importantly, to the legions Ossie Davis could have led a com- ing me time and also to the gentleman who for more than 60 years were in- fortable life. Ossie Davis could have led from Georgia (Mr. BISHOP) for this res- spired by his intense commitment to a quiet life, but Ossie Davis chose to olution. social justice and improving life for Af- stand and stand again when doing so It is with truly a deep sense of sad- rican Americans. invited discomfort and controversy. ness and sorrow that I come to the Ossie and Ruby were pioneers who I was honored to have had the oppor- floor today to say a few words about a opened many a door previously shut tunity to meet him personally. My con- truly great American. Ossie Davis also tight to African American artists and dolences go out to his family and ad- is a true American patriot. He was planted the seed for the success that mirers, and I am pleased to make this called to serve in Liberia during World artists of color enjoy today. A towering statement from the floor of the United War II. He later transferred to the Spe- figure as a playwright, screenwriter, States House of Representatives for all cial Services where he wrote and pro- director and producer and actor, Ossie America and for history to know the duced stage shows for our troops. Davis’s career spans more than half a stalwart warrior legacy left to us by Ossie was a trailblazer whose courage century, and his enormous body of the late great Ossie Davis. extended far beyond the stage and work includes award-winning perform- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, screen into the civil rights movement ances on stage, television, and more may I inquire as to how much time I and the fight against racial discrimina- than 50 motion pictures. have left. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tion. He truly was a man for all sea- Many times he put his career on the LAHOOD). The gentleman from Illinois sons. line and took the heat for supporting (Mr. DAVIS) has 31⁄2 minutes remaining. b 1630 our campaigns and events. He and Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Ossie always spoke truth to power. Ruby sued in Federal court for black could I indulge my colleague to yield During Senator McCarthy’s anti-Com- voting rights and risked their careers to us maybe 6 minutes? munist witch hunts of the 1960s, Ossie revisiting McCarthyism. Yet because Mr. WESTMORELAND. Yes, I yield. Davis sued for voting rights and spoke Ossie was a man of integrity and con- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, out in support of the singer and actor, scious, the labels did not stick and at- it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to a great hero, Paul Robeson, though it tempts to discredit him all failed. the gentlewoman from Detroit, Michi- resulted, of course, in him getting In 1982, Ossie Davis joined the Con- gan (Ms. KILPATRICK). blacklisted. gressional Black Caucus and other Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. Mr. Ossie not only was at the forefront of groups from the black leadership com- Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the march on Washington in 1963, but munity to develop ‘‘the Plan,’’ which yielding me 2 minutes. he courageously delivered a moving still guides us today in the work that I, too, want to add my appreciation and memorable eulogy at the funeral of we must do in order to reach racial and for the soul of Mr. Ossie Davis: coura- Malcolm X. economic equality. geous, king, gentleman, warrior, I have known Ossie Davis and Ruby At the time, Ossie said when he was friend. We honor him today and his Dee for many years and love them very developing the plan, ‘‘Give us a plan of memory, for when he walked in a room, much and will cherish many, many action, a 10 black commandments, sim- we knew that the strength of African memories of this great and humble ple, strong, that we can carry in our American men was being represented man. They were personal friends and hearts and in our memories no matter wherever he went. supporters of my predecessor, Con- where we are and reach out and touch When he spoke, when he gave his gressman Ron Dellums, who loved and feel the reassurance that there is time, when he reached out to all of us them very much. behind everything we do; a simple, to let us know that we could be what- I must thank Ossie Davis for his moral, intelligent plan that must be ever it is that we wanted to be and phone calls during very controversial fulfilled in the course of time, even if with God in us, as he was in Mr. DAVIS, and challenging moments for me per- all of our leaders, one by one, fall in we knew that we would overcome. sonally after casting difficult votes. I battle.’’ To Ruby Dee and her family for over will always remember and cherish his I am going to miss him. 50 years, thank you for sharing him wisdom, his concern and his support; Mr. Speaker, these are wise words from a with us. Mr. Ossie Davis, he lives today and I am deeply grateful for his words truly remarkable man. and he will always live because he is an of encouragement. I never thought of Ossie as 87 years old, example to all of us how we should live My condolences go out to his beau- Mr. Speaker. The fact that young artists con- with dignity and pride, face challenges tiful and intelligent and brilliant wife, tinued to seek his advice and counsel until his head on, and speak the truth.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00134 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 1930 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE February 9, 2005 Thank you, Mr. DAVIS, and may you of a dual autobiography, ‘‘In This Life To- Ossie Davis will forever live in our rest in peace. gether.’’ hearts and minds through his commu- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, In 2004, Ossie Davis and his wife Ruby Dee nity outreach, his talents on and off it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to were among the artists selected to receive the camera, and as a loving father and hus- the energetic gentlewoman from Hous- Kennedy Center Honors. band. He will also be recognized on the ton, Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE). When not on stage or on camera, Davis and world stage as a pioneer of the civil Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Dee were deeply involved in civil rights issues rights movement, fighting for justice, Speaker, I thank my friend and col- and efforts to promote the cause of blacks in equality and what he knew were the league for his leadership in managing the entertainment industry. They nearly ran right things to do. this very special tribute that a very afoul of the anti-Communist witch-hunts of the Ossie Davis felt a collective effort of distinguished Member of Congress, the early 1950s, but were never openly accused change was needed in our community gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BISHOP), of any wrongdoing. and our country, but as he once said, has allowed us to be able to join him Ossie Davis was the oldest of five children ‘‘It’s not the man, it’s the plan.’’ on. I thank the gentleman from Geor- of a self-taught railroad builder and herb doc- Today, we honor the man, but we will gia (Mr. BISHOP) for letting us acknowl- tor, was born in tiny Cogdell, GA, in 1917 and never forget the plan, the life and the edge to the world our appreciation and grew up in nearby Waycross and Valdosta. He influence of Ossie Davis. respect for Ossie Davis and for Ruby left home in 1935, hitchhiking to Washington Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of Dee. to enter Howard University, where he studied our time to the gentlewoman from the Ossie Davis belonged to the world, drama, intending to be a playwright. District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON), for and he belonged to those of us in Amer- His career as an actor began in 1939 with our final words, as she has just dashed ica, regal, tall, forthright and honest the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem, then in, another contemporary and friend of and certainly an enormous story teller. the center of black culture in America. There, his. I understand now that he is a son of the young Ossie Davis met or mingled with Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Georgia, the red soil of Georgia; but in some of the most influential figures of the the gentleman for yielding me the fact, he was a hero of America. time, including the preacher Father Divine, time; and I hasten to add, he did not Thank you, Ruby Dee, for sharing W.E.B. DuBois, A. Philip Randolph, Langston mean that I was 87 years old, but he is him. Thank you for the exemplary Hughes and Richard Wright. right that I regard myself as a good commitment that two people showed to Along with film, stage and television, the friend of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, the world of 50-plus years and how couple’s careers extended to a radio show, and if I may say so, Ossie Davis and pleased we were that we were able to ‘‘The Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Story Hour,’’ Ruby Dee are the most remarkable give in 2004 to Ossie Davis and Ruby that ran on 65 stations for 4 years in the mid- couple in the history of arts and letters Dee the Kennedy Center Honors. 1970s, featuring a mix of black themes. in the United States, ever; and now we I stand here today, Mr. Speaker, not Ossie Davis, you will be missed. have lost one half of that couple, and so much to chronicle all of the at- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I America across this land mourns the tributes and contributions that Ossie yield myself such time as I may con- passing of a great artist. Davis made. When he was willing to sume. Mr. Speaker, Ossie Davis was a ren- stand tall in the midst of the civil I believe that all of our speakers who aissance man. A renaissance man is not rights era, when he could use his tal- are here have had an opportunity to a Jack of All Trades. One definition ents simply to enhance himself, he de- speak. I will use the rest of our time to says: a man who has broad intellectual cided to use that eloquent voice to close. interests and is accomplished in areas fight for justice and equality and stand I want to thank the gentleman from of both the arts and the sciences. alongside of A. Philip Randolph, to Georgia for yielding a portion of the The notion of the renaissance man stand alongside of Martin King, to time, and I want to thank all of those comes from the great Renaissance era, stand alongside those who could not who came over to speak. There were a the Italian Renaissance, the English speak for themselves. number of additional individuals who Renaissance. Out of the English Ren- Growing up in nearby Waycross and had signed up but were not able to get aissance came such new talents as Wil- Valdosta and being born in Cogdell, here, people like the gentleman from liam Shakespeare. Georgia, in 1917, one would think that Michigan (Mr. CONYERS), the gen- Ossie Davis merits the title Renais- he would succumb to being just a rural tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAYNE), sance man. There is no area of the arts country boy; but he took those beau- the gentlewoman from the Virgin Is- in which he did not excel, and he did tiful and wonderful roots and made lands (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN), the gen- not start with the arts. He insisted them the strength of America and the tleman from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS), upon being a man of his time and a strength of himself. the gentlewoman from California (Ms. man of his race. To have been a renais- I will just simply say, may he rest in WATSON), the gentleman from New sance man in your time, no matter who peace. God bless him and God bless York (Mr. TOWNS), and unfortunately, you were, whatever your advantages, is Ruby Dee and his family. they were not able to come. to live up to an impossible standard, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today I simply want to indicate that Ossie but to have been born in the worst to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Davis and Ruby Dee were as much a years of segregation and lynching and the late Ossie Davis for his service to the Na- part of being activists as they were mob violence in our country, in the tion in the military, as a civil rights leader, and being actors, and I want to thank the South of the United States and to have as an actor. I would like to express my deep- gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BISHOP) risen to be a man of letters and of the est condolences upon his death to his wife for giving us all the opportunity to arts who, of course, most recently was Ruby Dee Davis, his other family members, share in his life today. honored with the greatest honors of and his friends. In November of 2003, we launched our country at the Kennedy Center is Ossie Davis, the actor distinguished for something called the State of the Afri- to give new meaning to the very words roles dealing with racial injustice on stage, can American Male, and Ossie Davis Renaissance man. screen and in real life, died last week at the and Ruby Dee were the luncheon Who are the men who are understood age of 87. speakers. Of course, the luncheon had to be Renaissance men? To give my He was the longtime husband and partner standing room only, people trying to colleagues a cross-section of them, of actress Ruby Dee. Ossie Davis wrote, get in; and it was at that gathering Leonardo Da Vinci, Paul Robeson, acted, directed and produced for the theater where Ossie Davis stated that it was Thomas Jefferson. and Hollywood, and was a central figure his personal mission to reverse the among black performers of the last five dec- trends affecting young black males, b 1645 ades. He and Dee celebrated their 50th wed- such as drug tradition, high dropout We use that word when we think of ding anniversary in 1998 with the publication rates and criminal issues. men whose talents are so broad and so

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 9, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 1931 wide, as evidenced in the works they ran on 65 stations for four years in the mid- He has been a staple in almost all of director have produced, that there is no other 1970s. Ossie has received numerous honors Spike Lee’s films including, Jungle Fever, Get word for them. We cannot simply call for his work including being inducted into the on the Bus, School Daze and the classic Do them an artist. We cannot simply call Theater Hall of Fame in 1994 and being the Right Thing. them a producer. We cannot simply among the artists to receive the Kennedy Cen- Ossie also distinguished himself as writer call them a playwright. We cannot sim- ter honors in 2004. and director. He wrote or directed many nu- ply call them a stage actor. Because Ossie Davis will always be remembered as merous films and plays, the most well known they are all those things. one our most cherished civil rights leaders. In being the 1970 film Cotton Comes to Harlem. And then, of course, to have been the celebration of his life and accomplishments, I In particular he wrote frequently about the civil kind of artist who understood that strongly urge that we pass this resolution. rights struggle of African Americans. One of without compromising his art he could Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the plays Davis wrote and directed was The become a leader in the greatest revolu- the life of an extraordinary, artist, activist, and People of Clarendon County, about one of the tion of our time, the civil rights revo- American, Ossie Davis. Just two months ago cases that led to the 1954 U.S. Supreme lution, is to have set a standard that I made remarks to the House about Ossie and Court decision prohibiting school segregation. all of us must admire. his wife Ruby Dee, on the occasion of their He also wrote dramas about the brutal 1955 Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that this acceptance of Kennedy Center Honors. It is killing of the black teenager Emmett Till, the resolution has come from the whole with great sorrow that I know make remarks Montgomery bus boycott, and Martin Luther House, and I ask the whole House to on his passing. King. join me and the country in celebrating I am consoled only by the fact that Ossie He was a two-time Tony Award nominee, the fact that Ossie Davis proves that if leaves behind a life of great achievement. first nominated in 1958 for Best Featured you let a man’s talent shine, he will Along the way he established himself as one Actor in a Musical for his performance in Ja- overcome whatever you have to throw Black America’s greatest ambassadors to the maica. He was again nominated in 1970 for up and whatever you have to throw arts, and one of this country’s major contribu- the musical Purlie, based on his 1961 play out. tors to human and civil rights. Born and raised Purlie Victorious. Ossie would go on to receive We are blessed, we are honored that a in Georgia, he would lived the cruelties of the many honors and citations, including the Hall renaissance man of his immense talent Jim Crow South. He also saw how his parents of Fame Award for Outstanding Artistic lived among us and gave so much of his endured the struggles of that period. It aspired Achievement in 1989; the Theater Hall of talent to his country and to his world. in him a desire to write. As he once said, ‘‘I Fame in 1994; the U.S. National Medal for the Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, decided to become a writer so that I could tell Arts in 1995; and the Kennedy Center Honor I yield myself the balance of my time their stories.’’ in 2004. to urge all Members to vote for House In 1935 he would hitchhike to Washington Outside of the stage and screen, Ossie Resolution 69. DC, to study at Howard University. There he spoke out on some of the most controversial Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join would study drama, with the intent of being a issues on the day—moves that were ex- my colleagues in honoring the life and accom- playwright. During his time in Washington he tremely risky to his career. With wife Ruby by plishments of a monumental figure in our his- would witness the great African America opera his side, he would stand up for victims of the McCarthy-era witch-hunts, including the fa- tory. singer Marian Anderson perform on the steps mous Black entertainer and activist Paul Ossie Davis was one of our most prominent of the Lincoln Memorial, after she barred from Robson. He also openly embraced the great and active civil rights leaders. He was a voice performing at Constitution Hall. The beautiful leader Malcolm X, at a time when many of freedom. A voice that would not falter in the and inspiring performance solidified his deci- prominent African Americans feared doing so. face of danger. A voice that could not be si- sion to purse a career in the arts so that he Whether through his participation in the March lenced in a time of injustice. He stood with would be able to share is culture with the on Washington, to his suit in federal court to Martin Luther King, Jr. in the fight for equality world. guarantee Black voting rights, to his arrest for and participated in the March on Washington In 1939 he came to Harlem—at that time protesting the wrongful killing of African immi- in 1963. He was even blacklisted from Holly- the culture center of Black America. There he grant Amadou Diallo, he remained an activist. wood in 1950s for his political beliefs. would begin to hone his craft as a member of A February 9, 2005 op-ed in the New York I had the honor of meeting Ossie Davis and the Rose McClendon Players, an African Post attests to this fact. his wife Ruby Dee last year at a 25th anniver- American acting company. He would also It is said that on the day that Ossie passed, sary gala for Crossroads Theater in New meet and be influenced by some of the great the Broadway stages dimmed their lights in his Brunswick, New Jersey. Ossie and Ruby were Black figures of the time, such as, W.E.B honor. There is a sweet irony to this, because being honored for their long-time support of DuBois, A. Philip Randolph, and Langston the impact that he had on this country will the historic African-American theater. They Hughes. never dim. Through his work and deeds, the generously donated their time to participate in World War II would soon interrupt Ossie’s legacy of Ossie Davis will shine bright forever. fundraisers for the theater and played a key stay in Harlem. In the war, he served as an [From the New York Post, Feb. 9, 2005] role in helping Crossroads thrive. Army surgical technician in an all African BEING OSSIE During the 87 years of his life, Ossie Davis American unit. Shocked by the Nazis’ treat- HE NEVER FEARED A RIGHTEOUS FIGHT demonstrated the true definition of a role ment of Jews and frustrated by the inequities (By Leonard Greene) model. He graduated in the top 5 percent of he saw in the Army, he returned to America in The irony in the death of actor Ossie his class in high school. On a quest for higher 1945 determine to bring about change through Davis, of course, is that the person most knowledge and education, Ossie hitch hiked his work. qualified to deliver his eulogy is sadly un- from his home in Cogdell, Georgia all the way In 1946, Davis made his Broadway debut in available. to Washington, DC to attend Howard Univer- the play Jeb, winning rave reviews. It was on If you ever led a people’s movement, or sity. Ossie also dutifully served his country for the set of that play that he would meet his spoke out against war, or empowered the 4 years in World War II as a surgical techni- wife and life partner Ruby Dee. He went on to underclass, or fought for freedom, or made cian. perform in many Broadway productions, in- men stand up straight or took a bullet while Ossie Davis was a man who frequently cluding Anna Lucasta, The Wisteria Trees, speaking for voiceless garbagemen, there was no better man to speak at your memo- chose the path less traveled and broke down Green Pastures, Jamaica, Ballad for Bimshire, rial than the man who married Ruby Dee. barriers, especially on Broadway and in the The Zulu and the Zayda, and the stage Just ask anyone who crowed into Harlem’s entertainment industry. Using the arts, he cap- version of I’m Not Rappaport. He is probably Faith Temple Church on that cold day in italized on every opportunity to build aware- best known on stage for his role in A Raisin February, in 1965, when the masses said ness about the racial injustices occurring in in the Sun (1959), a role he would reprise goodbye to one of their many martyrs. this country. He wrote several screen plays, again in the play’s film version. Malcolm X had died in a hail of angry bul- lets, and those who were also wounded need- including the critically acclaimed ‘‘Purlie Vic- He starred in numerous film and TV roles ed to hear just the right words. torious’’ and ‘‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’’. Ossie throughout his career. Though a veteran of the ‘‘Malcolm was our manhood, our living, even had a radio show with his wife, ‘‘The movie biz, he continued to star in some of the black manhood,’’ Davis said to the sad as- Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Story Hour,’’ which most cutting-edge films of the last few years. sembled crowd. ‘‘This was his meaning to his

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 1932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE February 9, 2005 people. And, in honoring him, we honor the Whether it was narrating a film or serving as services to write and produce stage shows for best in ourselves.’’ master of ceremonies at a civil rights rally, he the troops. Three years later, after another bullet was there. He dedicated his life and his art to During the civil rights era, Ossie and his rang out, and another strong black leader was silenced, Davis again searched within, the causes of justice and peace. wife Ruby Dee fought tirelessly to promote and found more words to soothe. Martin Lu- Ossie’s career spanned the last five dec- equal rights and justice for African-Americans ther King Jr. had been assassinated the day ades as a writer, and actor, director and pro- subjected to segregation. And although he suf- before in Memphis, and tensions in New York ducer for the theater and in film. He was a fered tremendous loss professionally, his ca- were running high trailblazer for African Americans. He served reer has been nothing short of stellar. ‘‘How much, America, do you expect us to our country in World War II as a surgical tech- Besides an outstanding career on Broad- bear?’’ Davis said at a memorial rally in Cen- nician in the first black station hospital and way, Ossie Davis should also be remembered tral Park. ‘‘There is not time left. For every also entertained his fellow soldiers as a writer as a pioneer in the film and theatre world, in- Martin they cut down, there must be a hun- dred Martins to step into his shoes.’’ and producer of stage shows. He came home cluding his performance in the movie classic, Davis never did find his hundred. He never from war and used his talents both on stage ‘‘A Raisin in the Sun.’’ even found five or 10. There could only ever and off to make the world a better place. I will fondly remember when the couple trav- be one Martin. So Davis did the next best He and his wife Ruby Dee shared their lives eled in the early 1980s to my district of Dallas thing. and their art and together received Kennedy to shoot their show, ‘‘With Ossie & Ruby’’, a He continued being Ossie. Center Honors for their lifetime achievements public television series produced by a local tel- Often, being Ossie meant lending his name, in the arts, the National Medal of the Arts and evision station. They were also very generous voice and body to a cause when others were silent or invisible. the Screen Actor Guild’s Lifetime Achievement to local charities, including the Black Academy Whether he was organizing the historic Award. of Arts and Letters. 1963 March on Washington—where King gave He was a friend, a great talent, a leader, His marriage of more than 50 years to ac- his ‘‘I Have a Dream’’ speech—or trying to and a great American. He will be greatly tress, Ruby Dee is truly an inspiration to many save the famed Apollo Theater, Davis was as missed. people, young and old. Last year, they both dedicated to a righteous outcome as he was Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, most of the received the Kennedy Center Honors for their to getting his lines right. world knows that Ossie Davis was the ‘‘Man lifetime of achievement in the arts. ‘‘I’ve known Ossie since I was a teenager, with a Plan’’. He urged the African American and he has supported my efforts, sometimes Mr. Speaker, we should all learn by the ex- alone, in the struggle for civil and human leadership to unite behind a blueprint for lib- ample of the life of Ossie Davis. Our nation rights,’’ said the Rev. Al Sharpton, an activ- eration, progress and prosperity. Today I will remember his courage, determination, hu- ist in his own right. ‘‘Ossie was always would also like to note that Ossie Davis was mility, and service to our country. gentle, committed and supportive.’’ the man always available to support a just Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Sharpton recalls the months after Amadou cause. His great fame and success never led support of H. Res. 69 that honors the life and Diallo, an unarmed immigrant, was shot to him to succumb to the isolation of stardom. He accomplishments of the late Ossie Davis, an death by police on the Bronx street six years was a natural superstar who never lost his American actor and activist par excellence. ago. Many prominent rappers, who had decried touch with activists and the common man. When you think about the importance of im- police brutality in the lyrics they spat out Personally I owe many debts to Ossie Davis ages, and the lives you can influence with im- over sampled beats, wouldn’t step outside and Ruby Dee. I first met him at civil rights ral- ages, you have to agree that Ossie Davis has their studios to actually protest against it. lies in the sixties. When he was called he stood tall as an image well respected by sev- But when Davis, 81 at the time, and his showed up for rallies and demonstrations and eral generations of Americans, in particular Af- wife were asked to participate, they wasted never indicated any fear of reprisals at the box rican American youth. no time getting arrested. office. In 1982, as I campaigned for Congress, As an actor, playwright, and filmmaker, For Davis, ‘‘action’’ meant something more than a word from a director. he responded to my call for help and hosted Ossie Davis crafted images that reflect what is In the end, the Rev. James Forbes and the a fundraiser for MAJOR OWENS, the little good about African American manhood. His Rev. Calvin Butts, two community icons, known, underdog candidate for the district pre- tall stature, his deep voice, his choice of roles will share officiating duties at Davis’ funeral viously represented by Congresswoman Shir- that successfully portrayed the lives, hopes Saturday. ley Chisholm. Some years later he responded and dreams of African American men from Despite the challenge, their task will be to my plea for his presence at an ‘‘All-Night youth to senior, gave the world a view of the somewhat easier because their subject—un- Teach-In’’ held at the Borough of Manhattan best that we can be. like Malcolm and Martin—lived to see 40 As an activist, Ossie Davis did not fail to years. Twice. Community College to protest devastating And therein lies the answer to the hypo- budget cuts of education and social programs. speak up for his fellow man, he was a vibrant thetical that has intrigued us for a genera- My last face to face meeting with Ossie Davis part of the struggle for civil rights in this coun- tion: What would have become of Malcolm occurred at a Brooklyn College ‘‘Rally for the try. He lent his voice and his energies to those and Martin if they had been allowed to grow Restoration of Democracy in Haiti’’. That was causes that benefited not only himself, but old? Chances are they would have gotten in October of 2004, just four months ago. many of those around him. gray, and moved a little slower—two fires Again, not worrying about the consequences Ossie Davis’s legendary partnership with that still burned, but would not go out. Ruby Dee as an artist, an activist and as a They would have been dismissed by some of his public statement, Ossie Davis de- as past their prime. Yet they would have nounced the murder of democracy in Haiti by husband and father, was also a strong and kept on walking, and kept on talking, and the Bush administration. To the very end he enduring image for all American families. kept on fighting for justice and good schools was a ‘‘Man with a Plan’’ available to promote I commend Ossie Davis at the culmination until the very last breath escaped from their truth, freedom and justice. His life and the of his life, for contributing to the health of the dying lips. record of his achievements will long endure to African American community by providing us Just like Ossie. inspire millions in the future. with healthy images of ourselves to treasure Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Amer- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. and to pass on to our children. ica has lost more than an entertainer. We Mr. Speaker, I join our Nation in mourning and The Congressional Black Caucus has lost a have lost one of the most committed and dedi- remembering one of our finest citizens, Mr. friend in Ossie Davis. He helped to frame our cated citizens that I have ever known. We Ossie Davis. mission all those years ago by emphasizing to grew up with Ossie Davis. During the March Born Raidford Chatman Davis or ‘‘Ossie’’ in us at the first Annual Legislative event that ‘‘it from Selma to Montgomery, during the strug- Cordell, Georgia in 1917, Ossie Davis knew at is not the man, it’s the plan.’’ Over the years gle in Birmingham he was one of the people an early age exactly what he wanted to do in we have been encouraged by his friendship that the Civil Rights Movement depended on life. He decided to attend college at Howard and we will miss his counsel. to help mobilize people and support for our ef- University to become a playwright. Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, most people forts. Many of us knew Ossie as an actor and po- will remember Ossie Davis as the deep-voiced He was a fighter for civil liberty, for civil litical activist but he also served in the United actor who paved the way for African-American rights, for social justice, and for peace. Wheth- States Army during World War II, where he performers. He helped widen horizons for er it was speaking out against violence abroad was stationed at the Army’s first black station blacks on stage and screen while fighting for or violence here at home, he lent his voice. hospital before being transferred to special civil rights from Washington to Hollywood.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00137 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 9, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 1933 Born in Codgell, Ga, in my district, Raiford the Sun’’ last year and gave notes to stage Davis and Dee often found themselves in Chatman Davis was known as ‘‘RC.’’ This was newcomer Combs. ‘‘Ossie is certainly the the eye of social and political change. later misunderstood to be ‘‘Ossie’’ and he kept soul of black theater.’’ With a voice as comforting and mellifluous Davis, who was in Miami Beach filming a as a country preacher, he gave eulogies at the name his entire life. comedy called ‘‘Retirement,’’ was found dead the funerals of the Rev. Martin Luther King Ossie Davis grew up in Waycross and Val- in his hotel room early Friday morning. The Jr. and Malcolm X, whom he called ‘‘our own dosta, Georgia. He later hitchhiked to Wash- passing of the tall, robust octogenarian with black shining prince—who didn’t hesitate to ington, DC to attend Howard University to the rich baritone caught his family and col- die, because he loved us so.’’ study drama. Ossie Davis had intended to be leagues by surprise. Besides his extensive acting and directing a writer, but his fame came from his incisive At the time of her husband’s death, Dee credits for stage, film and TV, Davis was the and wide-ranging acting performances over was in New Zealand working on her own film author of eight plays, including 1961’s five decades, even as he wrote plays and project. A family spokesman said Friday ‘‘Purlie Victorious,’’ a comedy lampooning screenplays and directed and produced. afternoon that the actress was en route to racial stereotypes. the couple’s home in New Rochelle, N.Y., and In 1970, Davis co-wrote the book for Ossie and his wife, Ruby Dee, were married that arrangements would be announced ‘‘Purlie,’’ a musical version of the play. A re- in 1948. Their marriage was a true partner- later. vival of the musical is planned for Broadway ship, and during their decades together they Besides Dee, Davis is survived by three next season. worked to make America a better place. They children: Nora; Hasna; and Guy, a blues art- The rousing gospel song, ‘‘Walk Him up the entertained us in the films and theater produc- ist; and seven grandchildren. Stairs,’’ is a highlight of that show. Sung at tions they starred in together. They were tire- Dee and Davis were frequently in Atlanta, a funeral, it is likely to have a special reso- less activists during the civil rights era. They where she starred in ‘‘St. Lucy’s Eyes’’ at nance when Davis’ story returns to Broad- persevered when blacklisted during the the Alliance Theatre, and they were honored way. by the Atlanta Film Festival, both in 2003. ‘‘He took the hearts of millions with him, McCarthy era. Nothing shook their devotion to They made frequent appearances at and I will never get over not having him to each other or to the causes that motivated Spelman, Morehouse and Morris Brown col- talk to,’’ said actor Burt Reynolds. ‘‘I’ll still them. leges, as well as Clark Atlanta University. talk to him every night, I know he’s sitting In December, when Ossie Davis was hon- ‘‘He and Ruby Dee were like the Lunt and next to God, now, and I know God envies ored at the Kennedy Center, Sean ‘‘P-Diddy’’ Fontanne for African-Americans, and all of that voice, and I hope he listens when Ossie Combs said that Davis helped pave the road us as Americans,’’ said Kent Gash, associate tells him his ideas of what brotherhood for two generations of black performers. artistic director of the Alliance Theatre. ‘‘He means.’’ Ossie Davis said that night, ‘‘We knew that was just always so real, and that was always Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today every time we got a job and every time we so true about his work, both as an actor and to honor Mr. Ossie Davis, an American leg- as a writer. He just quietly pushed a lot of end. Ossie Davis was an actor and an activist were onstage, America was looking to make barriers out of the way and continued to do judgments about all black folks on the basis of this amazing work for an incredible period of who believed the function of art was to better how you looked, how you sounded, how you time.... He paved the way for so many of society. He said he could not imagine art with- carried yourself. So any role you had was a us in American theater.’’ out struggle, and he could not imagine strug- role that was involved in the struggle for black C.B. Hackworth, the writer and producer of gle without being knee deep in it. His worthy identification. You couldn’t escape it.’’ the special, said Davis told him he had been struggled ended on February 4, 2005, at the In an example of art imitating life, Ossie ill when they met him in early January to do age of 87, while practicing the craft he loved Davis delivered the eulogy in the film ‘‘Mal- filming. so dearly on the set of the movie Retirement. ‘‘He said, ‘I’m not at my best, but don’t Mr. Speaker, throughout his life, Ossie colm X.’’ it was the same eulogy he had actu- worry, I’ll do it as many times as you need.’ ally delivered at Malcolm X’s memorial serv- He was a consummate professional,’ ’’ Davis was knee deep in struggle. He was born ice. Davis was politically active, especially with Hackworth said. in 1917, in Cogdell, Georgia, the heart of the the civil rights movement, and he was also an The oldest of five children, the artist was segregated South. His mother named him opponent to Senator Joseph McCarthy’s Com- born Raiford Chatman Davis in tiny Cogdell, Raiford Chatman Davis, RC for short. But munist witch hunt of the 1950s. Ga., on Dec. 18, 1917, and grew up in nearby when his mother pronounced his initials to the [From the Ledger, Feb. 9, 2005] Waycross and Valdosta. His mother’s pro- white nurse in attendance, the nurse mis- nunciation of his initials R.C. was heard as OSSIE DAVIS WAS A TRAILBLAZER IN LIFE, heard her, and recorded the infant’s name as Ossie. He left home in 1935, hitchhiking to Ossie. Fearful of challenging the white nurse’s ART Washington to enter Howard University, (By Wendell Brock) where he studied drama, intending to be a authority, Laura Davis accepted her son’s new Ossie Davis helped break the color barrier playwright. name. on Broadway, was a quiet but conscientious By 1939, he’d made his way to Harlem, Mr. Speaker, Ossie Davis’s childhood was force in the civil rights movement and—late N.Y., where he got work as an actor and min- not an easy one. His father oversaw the build- in his 65-year career in the entertainment in- gled with the likes of Langston Hughes, ing of railroads in Georgia. A manager and su- dustry—became a picture of cool among a W.E.B. Du Bois and Richard Wright. pervisor, Kince Charles Davis was an anomaly younger generation of African-American art- He and Dee first worked together in the in the segregated South. In fact, his esteemed ists, including filmmaker Spike Lee, pop 1946 Broadway play ‘‘Jeb.’’ In December 1948, position made the Davis family the target of on a day off from rehearsals from another mogul Sean P. Diddy Combs and Atlanta di- racism and threats of violence. More than rector Kenny Leon. play, they took a bus to New Jersey to get The tall, lumbering Davis and his wife, the married. once, the KKK threatened to shoot Kince actress Ruby Dee, were a luminous and near- ‘‘They were so close that it felt almost like Davis ‘‘like a dog.’’ ly inseparable celebrity couple. Together, an appointment we finally got around to Mr. Speaker, from a young age, Ossie they received the National Medal of the Arts keeping,’’ Dee wrote in their 1998 autobiog- Davis took refuge from racism by plunging into from President Clinton in 1995 and the pres- raphy, ‘‘In This Life Together.’’ his studies. He loved Shakespeare and tigious Kennedy Center Honors last year. ‘‘I thought it was a pretty good use of a dreamed of becoming a writer and an actor But at the end of the day, Davis, who died Thursday,’’ Davis wrote with his trademark himself. In 1939 he followed his dreams to pithiness. Friday at 87, remained a generous, easily ap- New York City, and joined the Rose proachable senior statesman for the arts who He appeared in dozens of TV programs and never forgot his humble beginnings as the more than 30 films, beginning with 1950’s ‘‘No McClendon Players. He befriended the intel- son of a South Georgia railroad worker who Way Out,’’ with Dee and Sidney Poitier, and lectual giants of the Harlem Renaissance, could not write his name. culminating in last year’s ‘‘She Hate Me.’’ basked in the glow of their brilliance, and was ‘‘He was just a model of how you can be an But perhaps his most enduring film legacy inspired by their passion for empowerment artist and an activist, that one did not ne- is his six-picture run with Lee: ‘‘School through the unity of arts and politics. gate the other,’’ Lee said Friday. ‘‘That one Daze,’’ ‘‘Do the Right Thing,’’ ‘‘Jungle Ossie Davis made sacrifices for his craft. did not have to be scared that if you speak Fever,’’ ‘‘Malcolm X,’’ ‘‘Get on the Bus’’ and After an evening performance, he would often ‘‘She Hate Me.’’ out, it would kill or wipe out your career. It retire to a nearby park bench. But for Davis, is a great loss, but we will celebrate his life.’’ ‘‘When he started working with Spike Lee, ‘‘Ossie and Ruby are like the godfather and it revitalized his career,’’ said film historian the sacrifices were well worth it. Towards the godmother of American theater,’’ said Leon, Donald Bogle. ‘‘I actually think he’s better end of his life, Davis recalled the moment he recalling how the couple attended previews (in the Lee films) than he was as a younger understood his mission as a black artist. In of his Broadway production of ‘‘A Raisin in actor. He’s so powerful, so assured.’’ 1939, he heard Marian Anderson, who had

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00138 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE 1934 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE February 9, 2005 been banned from performing in Constitution director, veteran, and civil rights activist Ossie In 1948, Ossie Davis debuted on Broadway Hall, sing in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Ac- Davis. in ‘‘Jeb,’’ a play about a soldier returning cording to USA Today, he told students at Ossie Davis was born in Cogdell, Georgia in home. His co-star was Ruby Dee, his wife of Cornell University in the 1990s, ‘‘I understood 1917. Davis realized his love for acting and 56 years, whose stage career paralleled his fully for the first time the importance of black writing while attending Howard University, own. The couple went on to write, direct, and song, black music, black arts. I was handed here in Washington, D.C. After finishing his star in several films, most notably ‘‘Cotton my spiritual assignment that night.’’ education, Davis moved to Harlem, New York Comes to Harlem’’ in 1970 and ‘‘Countdown at Mr. Speaker, Ossie Davis believed he had a on a quest to start his acting career. Before he Kusini’’ in 1976. Ossie appeared in over 80 responsibility to his race and a responsibility to could move into acting, Davis was drafted by productions and was honored by the Kennedy his country. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army the United States Army. He served in the Center for Performing Arts in 2004. and served as a surgical technician in Liberia. Army medical unit during World War II. I had the unique opportunity to meet and His patriotism, his heartfelt belief in what Ossie Davis appeared in almost all forms of spend time with Ossie Davis over the years, America could and should be, guided him entertainment. He was brilliant to watch on and cherished every moment. He was a man throughout his life. He chose to perform in stage and knew how to captivate an audience. of character, wisdom, dignity, and excellence. plays that showcased America’s promise, On screen he made all the characters he He embodied a sly humor and genuine kind- while demonstrating its flaws. One such play played come to life right before our eyes. ness that many will remember him by. My was ‘‘Jeb,’’ an American Negro Theater pro- Even as great as he was on stage and film, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, duction about a black soldier returning from Davis’ passion was writing. He wanted to friends, and all who loved him. As we cele- World War II only to encounter racism in the move audiences not just by his acting but by brate Black History Month, let us remember country for which he fought. ‘‘Jeb’’ was an im- his written word. the life and accomplishments of the late Ossie portant piece of social commentary. For Ossie Davis and his wife Ruby Dee, also an es- Davis, a true pioneer and advocate of African Davis, it was doubly important, because it was tablished actor, were very active in civil rights Americans in the entertainment industry and in in ‘‘Jeb’’ that he met his wife, his partner in issues and promoting African-Americans in the life. love and life, as well as in art and activism, entertainment industry. They sued for African- Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay Ruby Dee. American voting rights, and when their friend, my respects to a great civil rights pioneer; a Mr. Speaker, the union of Ossie Davis and Paul Robeson, was blacklisted, they stood by man who provided vital social and political Ruby Dee was among the most fruitful acting his side only to become a victim themselves. commentary on our nation at a time when it partnerships in American history. Together, Ossie and Ruby Dee were proud participants was unwelcome to do so. Above all Ossie they made well over 150 films and plays. They in the March on Washington in 1963. Davis was an activist for social equality. He also made history. During the fiery days of the Davis received several awards throughout believed vigorously in the tenets on which our Red Scare, Davis and Dee, who were nearly his career, including the Screen Actors Guild nation was founded: freedom, justice, and that blacklisted themselves, stood up for their Lifetime Achievement award and the Kennedy all men are indeed created equal. friend Paul Robeson, and for America’s key Center Honor, which he received with his wife Ossie Davis passed away last year at the freedoms. Reflecting on those trying years, in 2004. age of 87. With his passing our nation lost not Davis told the Boston Globe in 2003, ‘‘I’m sure In particular, I will recall his powerful voice only a leader of the civil rights movement but my wife and I suffered, but we never knew as host of the annual National Memorial Day also one of the preeminent playwrights, au- whether we were being punished for being Concert held on the West Lawn of the Capitol. thors and actors of the African American com- black or being red.’’ As an eleven-time host of the concert, his ap- munity. Mr. Speaker, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee pearance each and every year was an inspir- Over his 50 years in the entertainment busi- fought for an end to racism in American cities ing addition to our remembrance of those who ness, Ossie Davis wrote various plays, tele- and in American film. They crusaded for civil served our nation. vision shoves and movies, shedding nec- liberties and protested for peace. They served Mr. Speaker, I was truly saddened upon essary light on the challenges facing the Afri- as MC’s during the 1963 March on Wash- learning of his passing this past Friday. I can American community and race relations in ington. They worked with black leaders like Dr. would like to express my deepest condolences the United States. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Fannie to Ossie Davis’ family. My thoughts are with He was a champion for the disenfranchised, Lou Hamer. Upon their deaths, Davis eulo- his wife Ruby Dee and his three children Guy providing a voice for those who could not gized Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Davis, Hasna Muhammad, and particularly speak out and inspiration for those seeking a Ossie Davis understood the value of hard Nora Day, a proud resident of Montclair, NJ. better life. Ossie’s theatrical achievements and work, the potential for collective action, and Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise unabashed commentary on the civil rights the crucial responsibility of government. When today to express my support for H. Res. 69, movement led to him receiving the Silver Cir- President Reagan proposed a 50% cut in the honoring the life and accomplishments of the cle Award from the Academy of the Television National Endowment for the Humanities budg- late Ossie Davis. Arts and Sciences in 1994, the National Medal et, Davis registered his dissent to the House Ossie Davis was a devoted African Amer- of Arts in 1995, and the Lifetime Achievement Appropriations Subcommittee. He said, ‘‘I was ican, husband, father, actor, director, soldier, Award from the Screen Actor’s Guild in 2000. able to pull myself up by my bootstraps—but activist, and pioneer. He was born in 1917 in He was also honored by the Kennedy Center only because the Federal Government pro- Cogdell, GA and was the son of a railroad in 2004. vided the boots.’’ worker. Ossie Davis was passionately involved Through his proactive participation in the Ossie Davis was an actor and activist, a in civil rights issues and efforts to advance the entertainment industry, Ossie Davis exhibited player and a poet, a husband and a father, an cause of African Americans in the entertain- a deep resolve to highlighting the struggle for example to us all. Mr. Speaker, my words are ment industry. Known for taking roles that equality in the African American community insufficient to memorialize this great man. In- tackled racial injustice, he understood the im- and, in so doing, changed the direction of our stead, I leave you with Ossie Davis’s wise portance of black song, black music, and nation. words, from an interview with Tavis Smiley on black arts. I commend Congressman CONYERS on National Public Radio. ‘‘We can’t float through His career as an actor began in 1939 with awarding Ossie Davis this well-deserved life, we can’t be incidental or accidental. We the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem. It medal. His contributions to the African Amer- must fix our gaze on a guiding star as soon was there that he met and mingled with some ican community and our entire nation should as one comes up on the horizon. And once of the most influential figures of his time, in- not go overlooked. we’ve attached ourselves to that star, we must cluding Langston Hughes, A. Phillip Randolph Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to keep our eyes on it and our hands on the and W.E.B. DuBois. recognize and celebrate the life of the great plough.’’ His acting career was interrupted when he Ossie Davis. It a fitting time to pay tribute to Mr. Speaker, let us let Ossie Davis’s words was asked to serve in the Army during World this exemplary African American as February be our guiding star. May he rest in peace. War II. He served in Libya at an African Amer- is African-American History month. Ossie Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in ican medical unit as an Army Surgical techni- Davis was a constituent and someone whose support of H. Res. 69, a resolution honoring cian, where he stabilized some of the 700,000 counsel I came to value over the past many the life and accomplishments of the late actor, soldiers wounded in that war. years. Sadly, he has just passed away.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:12 Jan 13, 2017 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00139 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 9920 E:\FDSYS\2005BOUNDRECORD\BOOK2\NO_SSN\BR09FE05.DAT BR09FE05 ejoyner on DSK30MW082PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 9, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 1935 Just last December I saw Ossie Davis when electronic votes will be conducted as 5- Hoyer Menendez Sa´ nchez, Linda minute votes. Hulshof Mica T. he was being honored at the Kennedy Center Hunter Michaud Sanchez, Loretta in Washington for his life and career. I made f Hyde Millender- Sanders a point of going that night so that I too could Inglis (SC) McDonald Saxton honor him. It was a fitting tribute to a man I EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS Inslee Miller (FL) Schakowsky THAT DEPARTMENT OF DE- Israel Miller (MI) Schiff first saw perform on Broadway when I was a Miller (NC) FENSE CONTINUE TO EXERCISE Issa Schwartz (PA) child. Years later, I was thrilled to meet him Istook Miller, Gary Schwarz (MI) and be his Representative in Congress. ITS AUTHORITY SUPPORTING AC- Jackson (IL) Miller, George Scott (GA) Ossie Davis made significant contributions TIVITIES OF BOY SCOUTS OF Jackson-Lee Mollohan Scott (VA) to our culture through his talented work in film AMERICA (TX) Moore (KS) Sensenbrenner Jefferson Moore (WI) and his noble involvement in civil rights issues Serrano The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Jenkins Moran (KS) Sessions and efforts to promote the cause of African pending business is the question of sus- Jindal Moran (VA) Shadegg Americans in the entertainment industry. A pending the rules and agreeing to the Johnson (CT) Murphy Shaw resident of Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle in Johnson (IL) Murtha Shays concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 6. Johnson, E. B. Musgrave Sherman New York, he wrote, acted, directed, and pro- Johnson, Sam Myrick The Clerk read the title of the con- Sherwood duced for the theatre and Hollywood, and was Jones (NC) Nadler current resolution. Shimkus Jones (OH) Napolitano a central figure among black performers of the Shuster The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Kanjorski Neal (MA) last five decades. Simmons question is on the motion offered by Kaptur Neugebauer In 1963, Davis participated in the landmark Simpson the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Keller Ney civil rights demonstration, the March on Wash- Skelton HEFLEY) that the House suspend the Kelly Northup ington. Two years later, he delivered a memo- Kennedy (MN) Norwood Slaughter rules and agree to the concurrent reso- Kennedy (RI) Nunes Smith (NJ) rable eulogy for his slain friend, civil rights lution, H. Con. Res. 6, on which the Smith (TX) leader Malcolm X. Davis also left behind a Kildee Nussle yeas and nays are ordered. Kilpatrick (MI) Oberstar Smith (WA) vast body of work in film. He starred in such Kind Obey Sodrel The vote was taken by electronic de- Solis movies as The Joe Louis Story, Slaves, Let’s vice, and there were—yeas 418, nays 7, King (IA) Olver Do It Again, Grumpy Old Men and Dr. Dolittle, King (NY) Ortiz Souder not voting 8, as follows: Spratt as well as Spike Lee’s School Daze, Do the Kingston Osborne [Roll No. 24] Kirk Otter Stearns Right Thing, and Jungle Fever. As a director, Kline Owens Strickland YEAS—418 he is probably best remembered for 1970’s Knollenberg Oxley Sullivan gritty Cotton Comes to Harlem, a precursor to Abercrombie Capuano Engel Kolbe Pallone Sweeney Ackerman Cardin English (PA) Kuhl (NY) Pascrell Tancredo the blaxploitation films of the decade, and Aderholt Cardoza Etheridge LaHood Pastor Tanner 1973’s Gordon’s War. Akin Carnahan Evans Langevin Paul Tauscher I am also pleased to be a cosponsor of a Alexander Carson Everett Lantos Payne Taylor (MS) resolution that honors the great life and work Allen Carter Farr Larsen (WA) Pearce Taylor (NC) of the great Ossie Davis. Through his talents Andrews Case Fattah Larson (CT) Pelosi Terry Baca Castle Ferguson Latham Pence Thomas and dedication, Ossie Davis, like many other Bachus Chabot Filner LaTourette Peterson (MN) Thompson (CA) African Americans, has left his mark as a posi- Baird Chandler Fitzpatrick (PA) Leach Peterson (PA) Thompson (MS) tive leader in his community and significant Baker Chocola Flake Levin Petri Thornberry Baldwin Clay Foley contributor to our culture. Lewis (CA) Pickering Tiahrt Barrett (SC) Cleaver Forbes Lewis (GA) Pitts Tiberi As we reflect on the contributions of innu- Barrow Clyburn Ford Lewis (KY) Platts Tierney merable African-Americans during this month, Bartlett (MD) Coble Fortenberry Linder Poe Towns Barton (TX) Cole (OK) Fossella Lipinski Pombo Turner I want to commend his work and his life to my Bass Conaway Foxx LoBiondo Pomeroy Udall (CO) colleagues. I have lost a valued constituent Bean Conyers Franks (AZ) Lofgren, Zoe Porter Udall (NM) Beauprez Cooper Frelinghuysen and America has lost a great leader and en- Lowey Portman Upton tertainer. Becerra Costa Gallegly Lucas Price (GA) Berkley Costello Garrett (NJ) Van Hollen Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, Lungren, Daniel Price (NC) ´ Berman Cox Gerlach Velazquez I yield back the balance of my time. E. Pryce (OH) Visclosky Berry Cramer Gibbons Lynch Putnam The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Biggert Crenshaw Gilchrest Walden (OR) Mack Radanovich Walsh LAHOOD). The question is on the mo- Bilirakis Crowley Gillmor Maloney Rahall Wamp Bishop (GA) Cubin Gingrey Manzullo Ramstad tion offered by the gentleman from Wasserman Bishop (NY) Cuellar Gohmert Marchant Rangel Georgia (Mr. WESTMORELAND) that the Schultz Bishop (UT) Culberson Gonzalez Markey Regula Blackburn Cummings Goode Waters House suspend the rules and agree to Marshall Rehberg Blunt Cunningham Goodlatte Watson the resolution, H. Res. 69. Matheson Reichert Boehlert Davis (AL) Gordon Watt The question was taken; and (two- McCarthy Renzi Boehner Davis (CA) Granger Waxman McCaul (TX) Reyes thirds having voted in favor thereof) Bonilla Davis (FL) Graves McCollum (MN) Reynolds Weiner Bonner Davis (IL) Green (WI) the rules were suspended and the reso- McCotter Rogers (AL) Weldon (FL) Bono Davis (KY) Green, Al lution was agreed to. McCrery Rogers (KY) Weldon (PA) Boozman Davis (TN) Green, Gene McGovern Rogers (MI) Weller A motion to reconsider was laid on Boren Davis, Jo Ann Grijalva McHenry Rohrabacher Westmoreland the table. Boswell Davis, Tom Gutierrez McHugh Ross Wexler Boucher Deal (GA) Gutknecht f McIntyre Rothman Whitfield Boustany DeFazio Hall Wicker Boyd DeGette McKeon Roybal-Allard ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Harman Wilson (NM) Bradley (NH) Delahunt Harris McKinney Royce PRO TEMPORE Wilson (SC) Brady (PA) DeLauro Hart McMorris Ruppersberger Wolf The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Brady (TX) DeLay Hastings (FL) McNulty Ryan (OH) Wu ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Brown (OH) Dent Hastings (WA) Meehan Ryan (WI) Brown (SC) Diaz-Balart, L. Hayes Meek (FL) Ryun (KS) Wynn will resume on motions to suspend the Brown, Corrine Diaz-Balart, M. Hayworth Meeks (NY) Sabo Young (AK) rules previously postponed. Votes will Brown-Waite, Dicks Hefley Melancon Salazar Young (FL) be taken in the following order: Ginny Dingell Hensarling House Concurrent Resolution 6, by Burgess Doggett Herger NAYS—7 Burton (IN) Doolittle Herseth Blumenauer Lee Woolsey the yeas and nays; Butterfield Doyle Higgins House Concurrent Resolution 26, by Frank (MA) McDermott Buyer Drake Hobson Kucinich Stark the yeas and nays; and Calvert Dreier Hoekstra House Concurrent Resolution 30, by Camp Duncan Holden NOT VOTING—8 Cannon Edwards Holt the yeas and nays. Cantor Ehlers Honda Eshoo Hinojosa Snyder The first electronic vote will be con- Capito Emanuel Hooley Feeney Ros-Lehtinen Stupak ducted as a 15-minute vote. Remaining Capps Emerson Hostettler Hinchey Rush

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