CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E318 HON. BILL PASCRELL
E318 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 15, 2000 we accept that point. But India’s decisions take courage—but not the courage of sol- Doris Coley Kenner-Jackson was born Au- also have consequences beyond South Asia. diers. gust 2, 1941 in Wayne County, North Carolina Here, prudence and clarity in India’s plans And we can be sure of one more practical to the late Zeno and Ruth Best Coley. She and doctrines could yield great benefits. For reality: Tangible steps must be taken to re- a pattern of steeply rising defense budgets in spect the Line of Control. For so long as this was the oldest of five children born to this Asia would serve neither the continent’s se- simple principle is violated, the people of family. One brother, Leodie, preceded her in curity interests nor its development needs. Kashmir have no real hope of peace. death. The world lost a truly remarkable Such principles of restraint are consistent Another vital US interest in Pakistan is woman on February 4, 2000 when Doris with statements India’s own leaders have countering terrorism. The terrorist camps passed away at the Kaiser P. Memorial Hos- made. next door in Afghanistan directly threaten pital of Sacramento, California. How India addresses all these issues will, of American lives. Because of Pakistan’s influ- Her educational growth began in the two course, influence the decisions we make. But ence with its neighbor, this matter will be Goldsboro City Schools, Greenleaf and East our goal is a qualitatively different and bet- high on the President’s agenda. ter relationship with India—not a simple re- General Musharraf has offered to go to Af- End, and continued in Passaic where her fam- turn to the status quo before the tests. ghanistan himself to discuss concerns about ily moved during the late Nineteen Fifties. Our ability to attain this goal will depend terrorism. We hope to hear more from him Once in New Jersey she continued her edu- largely on what India does. And the limits on about this. And we want to see steps to ad- cation, and attended Passaic High School. our ability to cooperate with India are a dress the effects of terror on Pakistan’s During high school, Doris' main pursuit was matter of US law, as well as our inter- neighbors, notably India. music. It was at this time that she proved her- national obligations. And our approach to Nothing would do more to bolster the en- self to be a remarkable singer. tire world’s confidence in Pakistan’s govern- nonproliferation is global. We cannot aban- Always an active and involved vocalist, don it simply because we desire an improved ment than to learn that its people will re- relationship. Any other stance would break gain their ability to choose their leaders Doris learned much of her skill in the church. faith with all the nations—from South Afri- sooner rather than later. And few things did Music was her passion and her gift to the ca to South America to the former Soviet re- more to undermine the confidence than the world. Her love for music was deeply rooted in publics—who decisions to strengthen their recent order that judges take an oath of loy- gospel. The early years spent singing in the own security and the cause of nonprolifera- alty to the military, rather than to the con- church choir instilled in Doris the attributes tion by joining the NPT. And it would give stitution. necessary for her to become a stellar force in cover to states which, unlike India, might In all these areas and others, we see oppor- the music industry. It was the small steps in tunities not for mere gestures, but for real threaten us directly. the beginning of her life that taught her the We will persist in our efforts to reconcile, steps forward. For example, Pakistan’s for- to the greatest extent possible, our non- eign minister has recently argued the advan- fundamentals that would make her a role proliferation concerns with India’s apprecia- tages, from Pakistan’s own standpoint, of model to scores upon scores of people world- tion of its security requirements. Our dia- early signature of the CTBT. Now, that wide. logue on these subjects will be continued would be the kind of coup for Pakistan—and Doris has had a remarkable career, which during the President’s trip, and beyond. I guarantee, the international community has taken her to the top of the charts. While One topic we will discuss in both India and would rally around it. she was a student at Passaic High School, Pakistan is the relationship between these President Clinton will go to India, and also she and three classmates, Shirley Alston to Bangladesh and Pakistan, to strengthen two countries. Let me say a word about the Reeves, Beverly Lee and Addie Mickie Harris President’s decision to stop in Pakistan at America’s bonds with a region that is grow- the end of our trip. And on one key issue, I ing in importance with each passing year. formed a pop ensemble that became the want to leave no room for doubt. In no way And in so doing, he will affirm on an official Shirelles. is this a decision to endorse the military level what many in this room can testify to The singing group eventually revolutionized coup or government led by General in their own lives. the ``girl group'' sound of the Fifties and Six- Musharraf. And no one should interpret it as For the connections between America and ties. This success was punctuated by ten hit such. South Asia are manifest. They may come in singles including, ``Tonight's the Night,'' ``Will We are going to Pakistan because the the form of a physician from Mumbai who You Still Love Me Tomorrow?,'' ``Soldier Boy,'' United States has interests there which are spends part of her time each year in Los An- important—and urgent. Our interests include geles; or a businessman in Boston who is de- ``Mama Said'' and ``Dedicated to the one I avoiding the threat of conflict in South Asia; veloping a new technology with a firm in Love.'' The latter, an American classic, fea- fostering democracy in Pakistan; fighting Dhaka; or a teacher from Tennessee who is tured Doris as the lead vocalist. It is inter- terrorism; preventing proliferation; and working with young people in Islamabad. esting to note that this sound is experiencing doing what we can to help create an environ- In today’s world, geography is no longer a current renaissance heralded by Britain's ment of regional peace and security; and destiny. America and South Asia are distant, Spice Girls who debuted in the United States reaching out to a people whose history is one but we are linked in the opportunities we in 1996. of friendship with the United States. have, the threats we face, and the changes to This native of North Carolina, who later The President is not going to Pakistan to which we must respond. mediate the Kashmir dispute. We have made President Clinton’s historic visit offers the moved to New Jersey, found fame and fortune it clear he will not do that unless both sides prospect of a welcome new chapter in our re- around the world. As a member of the ask. lations with India and her neighbors. But al- Shirelles, she received numerous awards in Last 4th of July, the President’s ability to though that chapter may begin with a visit many countries. One highlight of her life and engage directly with the Pakistani Govern- from the White House, it will be written by career came on January 17, 1996 in New ment played a key role in defusing a tense the people of all our countries. York City, New York when the Shirelles were conflict in Kargil. For the President to For the President’s visit, I ask your sup- inducted into the Rock `n' Roll Hall of Fame of port next week. For the larger task, I urge maintain such lines of communication may Cleveland, Ohio. To mark this achievement, be very important in any future crisis. your active participation in the months and Some of you know that, when I was a years to come. the auditorium of Passaic High School was young girl, my father worked as a diplomat Thank you all very much for your atten- named in honor of the group. In addition, at the UN on the problem of Kashmir. He tion. Doris was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues wrote a book whose first chapter contains f Foundation. the simple but eloquent statement, ‘‘The his- Doris was united in marriage to Alfonza tory of Kashmir is a sad story.’’ He is now TRIBUTE TO DORIS COLEY Kenner, until his death. Together they had two dead, and I am old, and yet still this tragic KENNER-JACKSON sons, Antonio and Gary. Later, she married story goes on. But today, the conflict over Kashmir has Wallace Jackson with whom she had twins, been fundamentally transformed. For na- HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR. Tracy Jackson and Staci Jackson Richardson. tions must not attempt to change borders or OF NEW JERSEY All who knew Doris felt her magic and zones of occupation through armed force. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES unique ability to form a distinctive bond with And now that they have exploded nuclear de- each and every person she met. The magic vices, India and Pakistan have all the more Wednesday, March 15, 2000 transcended all boundaries and is a true testa- reason to avoid an armed conflict, and all Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ment to the loving kindness of her spirit. De- the more reason to restart a discussion on call to your attention the deeds of a distin- spite being ill, she was performing concerts ways to build confidence and prevent esca- guished singer, Doris Coley Kenner-Jackson until the end. This includes a series of shows lation. India and Pakistan today must find some of Passaic, New Jersey, whose memorial from January 8 through January 15, 2000 way to move forward. The process is not one today celebrates her remarkable talents and aboard a cruise ship. that the international community can pre- legacy. She epitomizes a strong spirit and Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our col- scribe for them. We only know that it will never forgot from where she came. leagues, the City of Passaic, Doris' family,
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