S802 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 25, 2010 Corps, and yes, VISTA. He was also the and families who taught me so much tion; which was referred to the Com- driving force behind the creation of the about life. mittee on the Judiciary: Peace Corps, which is how I originally Today, VISTA, which became part of S. CON. RES. 50 came to know him. AmeriCorps in 1993, continues to en- Whereas a group of African-American When we first met in the early 1960s, gage more than 7,000 members in help- stuntmen, athletes, and extras founded the I was still studying Chinese and inter- ing more than 1,000 local organizations Black Stuntmen’s Association in Los Ange- ested in Southeast Asia affairs, but my build sustainable anti-poverty pro- les, California, in 1967 to combat racial dis- life was quickly transformed after grams every year. crimination and create equal opportunities meeting Sargent Shriver. So to them—to VISTA’s members, for all people of color in the motion picture and television stunt industry; He understood that one way to im- past and present—to its numerous de- Whereas the Coalition of Black Stuntmen prove the world was to start with our voted host organizations and commu- and Women was formed in 1973 to continue own communities—and that if we unite nities which give as much to the pro- the fight against racial bias in the industry; together with a common mission of gram as they receive—to my friend and Whereas motion picture and television pro- making our communities stronger, we mentor Sargent Shriver—to everyone ductions at the time commonly featured can make the world a better place. who carries on VISTA’s noble work White stuntmen and women as stunt doubles That was when I became a VISTA every day—congratulations and thank for African-American actors and those of other races, using makeup to darken their volunteer, shortly after the program you. complexion in a process known as a ‘‘paint- began. I was lucky enough to come to Now, watch out. We have only just down’’; West Virginia—and that was when my begun: In these times of enormous eco- Whereas African-Americans were routinely life changed forever. I often say that nomic uncertainty and challenge, our denied job opportunities and formal training while I was technically born in New nation needs VISTA’s, courage, com- in the stunt industry due to lingering rac- York, I was really born in West Vir- mitment and service more than ever. ism; ginia that year. Your impact is real. I know without a Whereas the increased use of African- I truly believe that people are liber- American actors in motion pictures and tele- doubt, from the bottom my heart that vision in the 1960s brought more attention to ated when they get outside of them- for years to come, VISTA members will the common industry practice of using only selves to help others. continue to transform our commu- White stuntmen and women; When I first came to West Virginia, nities and our nation—for the better. Whereas the Black Stuntmen’s Association over 40 years ago, much of my work Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and was with children who didn’t have pleased to join the distinguished Sen- Women pursued legal action to bring addi- great opportunities in life. I was a ator from West Virginia, Mr. ROCKE- tional diversity to the motion picture and television industry and continued to monitor VISTA member in Emmons, West Vir- FELLER, in submitting a resolution to compliance with the resulting agreements; ginia, a small, coal mining community celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Whereas the original members of the Black on the Boone-Kanawha County line. Volunteers in Service to America, or Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of It took me 6 months to finally be ac- VISTA, program. Black Stuntmen and Women paved the way cepted by the community. I used to sit President Kennedy suggested in 1963 for greater racial equality in the motion pic- on the railroad tracks with the kids, a program of national service that ture and television industry in the ensuing throwing rocks and just talking with would provide assistance to those in years, but in many cases were unable to ben- them. One day, one of the kids invited need in urban and rural areas. Less efit from their hard-won victory; me into their home; then the others than 2 years later, President Johnson Whereas the efforts of the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of soon followed. launched the ‘‘War on Poverty,’’ and Black Stuntmen and Women also helped tear I had found what I wanted by work- included the VISTA program created down discriminatory barriers and prejudices ing with this community—what my gut by the Economic Opportunity Act of in other parts of the motion picture and tele- was telling me was important. I found 1964. vision industry, both in front of and behind out a few other things as well. There Incorporated into the AmeriCorps the camera; and was not any organization in the com- network of programs in 1993, VISTA Whereas members of the Black Stuntmen’s munity or a general effort to better the has been hard at work in the fight Association and the Coalition of Black living conditions of the area. against poverty for 45 years. Today, Stuntmen and Women have made a signifi- Many of the children didn’t even go cant and lasting contribution to the quality the VISTA program is stronger than of motion picture and television productions to school because it was several miles ever, placing 6,500 full-time volunteers in the United States: Now, therefore, be it to a paved road and the school board at 1,200 nonprofit organizations and Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- wouldn’t send a bus to Emmons. public agencies each year. These volun- resentatives concurring), That Congress— So, we fought for a school bus. We teers are committed to serving the (1) recognizes the historic founding of the built a small library. We built a park. needs of the poorest Americans at nu- Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coali- We started a baseball team. We didn’t merous program sites, and they are to tion of Black Stuntmen and Women, and win a single game, but that wasn’t (2) honors the contributions of these orga- be commended for their unselfish con- nizations and their members in the fight for what was important. It was opening up tributions to helping others. racial equality and justice in the motion pic- new possibilities for those kids. I am proud to say that there are 87 ture and television industry. My experience was just one of thou- VISTA volunteers at 21 program sites Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today sands. Since 1965, more than 175,000 in my home State of Mississippi. I un- to acknowledge a group that has cre- Americans of all ages and walks of life derstand the sacrifices that are being ated opportunities for countless Afri- have answered VISTA’s call. I am made by these young men and women can American men and women in the proud to count myself as a member of and the important impact that these film and television industry. I rise to that very special group. volunteers have made in our commu- submit this Senate Concurrent Resolu- So VISTA’s anniversary is also my nities. tion honoring the Black Stuntmen’s own. When I look back on VISTA be- I am pleased to congratulate VISTA Association and the Coalition of Black ginnings, I see my own roots—the foun- on 45 years of distinguished service to Stuntmen and Women for their efforts dation on which I have built the rest of our country. to not only integrate, but enhance the my life. f television and film industry. This is a I got into politics shortly thereafter. SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- companion resolution identical to H. I knew I could not be a VISTA forever, Con. Res. 190 submitted by my good TION 50—RECOGNIZING THE HIS- so I ran for the House of Delegates, friend, Congresswoman SHELLEY BERK- TORIC FOUNDING OF THE BLACK knowing that was the way I could con- LEY. tinue to make change. STUNTMEN’S ASSOCIATION AND I take great pride in submitting this I knew there were a thousand THE COALITION OF BLACK resolution not only because these indi- Emmons all across Appalachia. But ev- STUNTMEN AND WOMEN viduals knocked down the walls of ra- erything that I have done in my career Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. BURRIS, cial discrimination, but also because in public office has been grounded in Mrs. BOXER, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) sub- many of these pioneers now reside in the VISTA experience and in those kids mitted the following concurrent resolu- my home State of Nevada.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 03:36 Mar 04, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\S25FE0.REC S25FE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 25, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S803 In the 1950s and 1960s few African nally known as the National Negro Com- front 21st century challenges in the critical Americans had roles in television or mittee, was founded in New York City on areas of health, education, housing, criminal film and rarely were given the oppor- February 12, 1909, the centennial of Abraham justice, and environment; and tunity to work as stuntmen and Lincoln’s birth, by a multiracial group of ac- Whereas on July 16, 2009, the NAACP cele- tivists who met in a national conference to brated its centennial anniversary in New women. Most often, the few opportuni- discuss the civil and political rights of Afri- York City, highlighting an extraordinary ties available to individuals willing to can-Americans; century of Bold Dreams, Big Victories with a engage the dangerous work as stunt- Whereas the NAACP was founded by a dis- historic address from the first African-Amer- men were taken by whites, who donned tinguished group of leaders in the struggle ican president of the United States, Barack dark make-up to look like the black for civil and political liberty, including Ida Obama: Now, therefore, be it actors they were portraying. Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Resolved by the Senate (the House of Rep- To overcome the barrier of racism Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald resentatives concurring), That Congress— Garrison Villard, and William English and many other obstacles to the enter- (1) recognizes the 101st anniversary of the Walling; historic founding of the National Association tainment industry, in 1967 a group of Whereas the NAACP is the oldest and larg- for the Advancement of Colored People; and courageous men and women formed the est civil rights organization in the United (2) honors and praises the National Asso- Black Stuntmen’s Association. Even States; ciation for the Advancement of Colored Peo- though many had to work other jobs, Whereas the NAACP National Head- ple on the occasion of its anniversary for its they took it upon themselves to train quarters is located in Baltimore, Maryland; work to ensure the political, educational, so- each other, often meeting three to four Whereas the mission of the NAACP is to cial, and economic equality of all persons. ensure the political, educational, social, and nights a week for several hours. They economic equality of rights of all persons f trained in parks, on beaches and just and to eliminate racial hatred and racial dis- about anywhere they could set up crimination; AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND equipment to practice tumbles and Whereas the NAACP is committed to PROPOSED flips. They eventually progressed to achieving its goals through nonviolence; disciplined training in automotives and Whereas the NAACP advances its mission SA 3333. Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mr. driving techniques for cars and motor- through reliance upon the press, the peti- VITTER, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. SHELBY) sub- tion, the ballot, and the courts, and has been mitted an amendment intended to be pro- cycles. persistent in the use of legal and moral per- These individuals are pioneers and posed by her to the bill H.R. 4154, to amend suasion, even in the face of overt and violent the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal would later work with the Coalition of racial hostility; the new carryover basis rules in order to pre- Black Stuntmen and Women to fight Whereas the NAACP has used political vent tax increases and the imposition of racism in the entertainment industry. pressure, marches, demonstrations, and ef- compliance burdens on many more estates Their collective efforts have created fective lobbying to serve as the voice, as well than would benefit from repeal, to retain the opportunities for many that once never as the shield, for minority Americans; estate tax with a $3,500,000 exemption, to re- existed. Whereas after years of fighting segregation institute and update the Pay-As-You-Go re- in public schools, the NAACP, under the quirement of budget neutrality on new tax Eddie Smith; Earnie Robinson; Alex leadership of Special Counsel Thurgood Mar- Brown; S.J. McGee; Harold Jones; Calvin and mandatory spending legislation, en- shall, won one of its greatest legal victories forced by the threat of annual, automatic se- Brown; Doug Lawrence; Cliff Strong; Alonzo in the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Brown; Willie Harris; Joe Tilque; Henry questration, and for other purposes; which Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954); was ordered to lie on the table. Kingi; Marvin Walters; Richard Washington; Whereas in 1955, NAACP member Rosa Jolly Brown; Greg Elam; William Upton; SA 3334. Mr. DEMINT submitted an amend- Parks was arrested and fined for refusing to ment intended to be proposed to amendment Wayne King, Sr.; Len Glascow; Evelyn give up her seat on a segregated bus in Mont- Cuffee; Jade David; Sharon Schaffer; Kym SA 3326 proposed by Mr. REID to the bill H.R. gomery, Alabama—an act of courage that 1299, to make technical corrections to the Washington; Louise Johnson; Toni Vaz; would serve as the catalyst for the largest Dewitt Fonder; John Mitchell; Henry laws affecting certain administrative au- grassroots civil rights movement in the his- thorities of the United States Capitol Police, Graddy; Darell Giddens; Tony Brubaker; Bob tory of the United States; Minor; Jophery Brown; Bennie Moore; Allen and for other purposes; which was ordered to Whereas the NAACP was prominent in lob- lie on the table. Oliney; John Sherrod. bying for the passage of the Civil Rights While erasing the stains for racism is Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964, the Voting Rights f a never-ending task, I commend the Act of 1965, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa ´ ´ Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Parks, Coretta Scott King, Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C. Vela´ squez, TEXT OF AMENDMENTS Coalition of Black Stuntmen and and Dr. Hector P. Garcia Voting Rights Act SA 3333. Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Women for their work on behalf of the Reauthorization and Amendments Act of Mr. VITTER, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. SHEL- entertainment industry and our na- 2006, and the Fair Housing Act, laws that en- BY) submitted an amendment intended tion. sured Government protection for legal vic- to be proposed by her to the bill H.R. I hope my colleagues will join me and tories achieved; 4154, to amend the Internal Revenue honoring them and cosponsor this reso- Whereas in 2005, the NAACP launched the Code of 1986 to repeal the new carry- lution. Disaster Relief Fund to help survivors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, and over basis rules in order to prevent tax f Alabama to rebuild their lives; increases and the imposition of compli- SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLU- Whereas in the 110th Congress, the NAACP ance burdens on many more estates TION 51—HONORING AND PRAIS- was prominent in lobbying for the passage of than would benefit from repeal, to re- ING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIA- H. Res. 826, whose resolved clause expresses tain the estate tax with a $3,500,000 ex- that: (1) the hanging of nooses is a horrible TION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT act when used for the purpose of intimida- emption, to reinstitute and update the OF COLORED PEOPLE ON THE tion and which under certain circumstances Pay-As-You-Go requirement of budget OCCASION OF ITS 101ST ANNI- can be criminal; (2) this conduct should be neutrality on new tax and mandatory VERSARY investigated thoroughly by Federal authori- spending legislation, enforced by the ties; and (3) any criminal violations should Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. REID, Mr. threat of annual, automatic sequestra- be vigorously prosecuted; LEVIN, Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. SCHUMER, tion, and for other purposes; which was Whereas in 2008 the NAACP vigorously sup- ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Mrs. BOXER, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mrs. ported the passage of the Emmett Till Un- SHAHEEN, Mr. BURRIS, Mr. LAUTENBERG, solved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007, a law After section 185, insert the following: Mr. HARKIN, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. CARDIN, that puts additional Federal resources into SEC. 186. EXTENSION OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDIT RULES FOR BUILDINGS IN Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, and Mr. solving the heinous crimes that occurred in GO ZONES. BINGAMAN) submitted the following the early days of the civil rights struggle that remain unsolved and bringing those who Section 1400N(c)(5) is amended by striking concurrent resolution; which was re- ‘‘January 1, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, ferred to the Committee on the Judici- perpetrated such crimes to justice; Whereas the NAACP has helped usher in 2013’’. ary: the new millennium by charting a bold S. CON. RES. 51 course, beginning with the appointment of SA 3334. Mr. DEMINT submitted an Whereas the National Association for the the organization’s youngest President and amendment intended to be proposed to Advancement of Colored People (referred to Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Todd Jeal- amendment SA 3326 proposed by Mr. in this resolution as the ‘‘NAACP’’), origi- ous, and by outlining a strategic plan to con- REID to the bill H.R. 1299, to make

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