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October 2, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2047 HONORING THE CONTRIBUTION OF event. The next year, she won Wimbledon was a BET founder. ‘‘She was one of the first BLACK PIONEER ALTHEA GIBSON and the U.S. Championships, then success- African-American women in sports to say, fully defended both titles the following year. ‘Why not me?’ She empowered generations Gibson teamed with Angela Buxton, a Jewish [of Black women] to believe in themselves, HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL player from Briton, to win the 1956 doubles emboldened us to achieve and attain the un- OF NEW YORK championships at the French and attainable. Her drive, spirit and passion con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wimbledon. Both women experienced dis- tinue to set an example for us today.’’ crimination by their fellow players, but after ‘‘I will always be grateful to her for having Tuesday, October 2, 2007 their triumph at the All-England tennis the strength and the courage to triumph in Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today club, a British newspaper touted: ‘‘Minori- extreme adversity,’’ said Venus Williams, a to introduce a story from the New York CARIB ties win.’’ six-time Grand Slam singles champion, who News of September 18, 2007 entitled, ‘‘Black All told, Gibson, the daughter of South also participated in the tribute. ‘‘Her accom- Carolina sharecroppers, won five Grand Slam plishments set the stage for my success, and Pioneer Althea Gibson’’. singles titles and six Grand Slam doubles through players like me, Serena and many This article highlights the accomplishments crowns, but her impact on tennis—and soci- others to come, her legacy will live on.’’ of Althea Gibson, the admirable tennis player ety—cannot be measured in mere trophy f who in spite of adversity reached great suc- counts. She was a trailblazer of remarkable cess, leaving a great legacy to the sport. Ms. heart and courage, marking a path for those REMEMBRANCE OF WALT Gibson became the first African American- who would follow her, carrying herself with CROWLEY male or female- to win the US. National that special grace and dignity known only to true champions. Championships, which until then was a seg- ‘‘Althea made tennis a better place, by HON. JIM McDERMOTT regated tournament and she made history by opening doors and opening minds,’’ said OF WASHINGTON not only breaking the color barriers but by win- USTA president and chairman Jane Brown IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ning the Grand Slam. Grimes. ‘‘For that, all of us owe Althea Gib- Tuesday, October 2, 2007 Ms. Gibson continued to leave her mark in son a debt of gratitude.’’ tennis by winning the 1956 French Open, In recognition of Gibson’s myriad con- Mr. MCDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, Seattle again, becoming the first black woman to win tributions to the sport of tennis and to soci- recently lost a prominent and much loved cit- ety at large, the U.S. Tennis Association this izen, Walt Crowley. I would like to insert in the the Grand Slam event. Following those enor- year hosted a very special tribute to the late mous achievements she continued to excel in RECORD a statement on his passing from champion, who passed away in 2003 following HistoryLink, an impressive organization Walt important international tennis tournaments a long illness. On an extraordinary evening such as Wimbledon and the US. Champion- of history and emotion, African-American helped to found. ships. women who are pioneers in their own fields, REMEMBERING WALT In recognition of her incredible contribution and the elite from the world of tennis, gath- Walt Crowley, visionary cofounder of to the sport of tennis and to society, the U.S. ered to honor and celebrate one of their own. HistoryLink.org, passed away on September Call her tennis’s own Jackie Robinson. 21, 2007. Looking back at the rich tapestry of Tennis Association hosted a tribute to her life The event, entitled ‘‘Breaking Barriers,’’ his life and work, one sees that it would take at the US. Open in New York in late August. was held on the opening night, Aug. 27 of the an encyclopedia to document how much of The champion died in 2003 but continues to 2007 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King an effect he had upon the city of Seattle and be admired and to be an inspiration to women National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. It on the state of Washington. Fortunately— throughout the world. commemorated the 50th anniversary of Gib- and thanks to his efforts—we can do that I applaud Ms. Althea Gibson for her great son’s pioneering triumph at the 1957 U.S. Na- here at HistoryLink.org, the Online Encyclo- contribution to the sport of tennis and for the tional Championships (now known as the pedia of Washington State History. U.S. Open), and also provided a stage for Gib- undeniable strength she endured to excel in a Walt moved to Seattle at the age of 14, son’s induction into the prestigious U.S. when Boeing hired his father. Many of the time when she was denied opportunity be- Open Court of Champions. But the evening friends and colleagues who knew him the cause of the color of her skin. proved to be so much more—an acknowledge- longest probably met him during his days at BLACK PIONEER ALTHEA GIBSON ment of the over- sight of having never be- the Helix, Seattle’s first underground news- (By Roy S. Johnson) fore recognized Gibson as a barrier-breaking paper, for which Walt wrote, cartooned, edit- Fifty years ago, in the late summer of 1957, pioneer, and a unique first-time celebration ed, and even sold copies of out on the street. Althea Gibson made history as she captured of the historic firsts achieved by other Whether it was at a social gathering, during the U.S. National Championships title on the prominent African-American women. a street march, on the campaign trail, or Nearly two dozen Black women pioneers grass courts of Forest Hills. With that win, even in the midst of riots, Walt touched the attended the tribute, including Olympians the 30-year-old Gibson became the first Afri- lives of many people, and made numerous Jackie Joyner-Kersee (first Black to win can American—male or female—to win that friendships that lasted for decades. back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the most prestigious Grand Slam tennis tour- Walt’s passion for civic activism led to a Heptathlon) and Dr. Debi Thomas (first nament crown. career in city politics. During a sit-in pro- Black Winter Olympics medal winner), astro- Just three years after the great Jackie test at Seattle City Hall, Mayor Wes Uhlman naut Dr. Mae Jemison (the first Black fe- Robinson had broken the color barrier in was so impressed with the young man’s wit male astronaut), gospel singer Yolanda baseball, Gibson broke tennis’ color barrier and political savvy that he hired him. Over Adams (first Black female to win the Con- when she played in the 1950 U.S. Champion- the next few years, Walt worked in various temporary/Inspirational Artist award at city departments, most notably as deputy di- ships. Until then, tennis had been a seg- American Music Awards) and Ambassador regated sport, with Blacks playing on their rector of the Office of Policy and Planning, Carol Moseley-Braun (first Black female U.S. where he often advocated for historic preser- own tour—similar to the Negro Baseball Senator). Leagues—under the auspices of the American vation. His love for Seattle grew, based on Billie Jean King, whose own pioneering ef- his awareness of its past. Tennis Association. Her participation at forts on behalf of female athletes were cele- THE WRITE STUFF Forest Hills that year was facilitated, in brated at this venue last year, was part of part, by Alice Marble, one of the top players the tribute, as was New York City Mayor Mi- His skills as a writer opened up new vistas of that era, who wrote an editorial in a na- chael Bloomberg and Rachel Robinson. Jack- in his career when he formed Crowley Associ- tional magazine calling for the sport to ie Robinson’s widow. Aretha Franklin, the ates Inc. along with Marie McCaffrey, whom allow her to compete. first Black woman inducted into the Rock & he would later marry. The two collaborated That she did. Tall and lean, Gibson’s look Roll Hall of Fame, performed at the tribute. on books about the Seattle Aquarium and and her game resembled that of the elder Other trailblazing Black women attending Pioneer Square, and provided writing and ad- Williams sister. were former poet laureate Nikki Giovanni vertising services to numerous political cam- ‘‘Very graceful, very smooth,’’ says former (the first Black woman to receive the Rosa paigns, voter initiatives, and labor unions. tennis star, now U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Parks Woman of Courage award), former Walt also wrote articles for the Seattle Garrison, who befriended Gibson in the leg- Washington, D.C., mayor Sharon Pratt (first Weekly and was brought further into the end’s later years and became a confidante. to be elected mayor of a major U.S. city), ac- public eye when he was hired to conduct bi- ‘‘She glided around the court. When you look tress Phylicia Rashad (first to win a Tony weekly ‘‘Point-Counterpoint’’ debates with at Venus [Williams], Althea was very much for best performance in a play), Essence conservative activist John Carlson on KIRO- like her.’’ chairwoman Susan L. Taylor (first recipient TV News.

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