CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1713 HON
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July 29, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1713 this nation in the 1960s. As the Vietnam War, les Magic Johnson Theatres during Memorial cal ‘‘Purlie’’ and introduced Melba Moore the Civil Rights Movement, and school deseg- Day weekend. and Cleavon Little. regation threatened to divide our nation, Ossie Ossie Davis, a WWII veteran himself, not The film career of Ossie Davis is legendary. only stars in the film, but had taken a per- Beginning with ‘‘No Way Out’’ in 1950 with stepped forward as a champion of integration, sonal interest since becoming aware of this Sydney Poitier, Davis has appeared in dozens equality, and civil rights. From the Broadway true adventure of the USS Mason in 1995. The of feature films from ‘‘The Cardinal,’’ ‘‘The stage to the motion picture screen to the men of the USS Mason were the only Afri- Hill,’’ and ‘‘The Scalphunter’’ through recent streets where injustice lay, Ossie Davis was can-American sailors to take a navy warship movies such as ‘‘Dr. Doolittle,’’ ‘‘Do the there to demand that each and every person into combat in WWII. Like Ossie Davis, they Right Thing,’’ and ‘‘On The Bus.’’ He di- be treated as an equal, as a brother. With his served in a segregated military, but found rected ‘‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’’ in 1970 and deep voice that spoke from wisdom and expe- strength in the midst of struggles against continued to direct and produce movies and plays. Mr. Davis did not neglect television. rience, he would discuss the challenges to the racism from their camaraderie and pride in their own excellence. Beginning in 1965 in the title role of ‘‘The attainment of equal treatment and fairness that Ossie Davis’ character, Lorenzo DuFau, Emperor Jones,’’ he’s given award-winning is the constitutionally mandated birthright of passes the story of his time on the Mason on performances in ‘‘Teacher, Teacher, King,’’ every citizen born in this great country. He to his grandson (Albert Jones) and two and ‘‘Miss Evers’ Boys’’ to name a few. He’s would discuss how to achieve that level of friends, who then become the 1940’s sailors in been a regular on ‘‘Evening Shade’’ with his equality and would challenge those around a dramatic movie that depicts the events of friend Burt Reynolds. the men’s service on the USS Mason. As a Davis’ partnership with his wife actress/ him to aid in his crusade. writer Ruby Dee has produced such notable Ossie Davis was selected to be the speaker destroyer escort, the men shepherded con- voys across a perilous Atlantic infested with achievements as the television special at the first annual Congressional Black Cau- ‘‘Today Is Ours,’’ ‘‘Martin Luther King: The cus dinner, I recall, because we wanted to Nazi U-boats. They faced the storm of the century and were instrumental in saving a Dream and The Drum,’’ ‘‘A Walk Through have someone who, as a celebrity and a high- convoy. In spite of enduring racist incidents the 20th Century with Bill Moyers’’ and the series ‘‘With Ossie and Ruby.’’ ly respected civil rights leader, would be both in a segregated Navy, they found an unex- Mr. Davis received many honors and cita- entertaining and inspirational. Ossie, in a pected welcome in Northern Ireland. In tions including the New York Urban League speech that is still remembered and quoted ‘‘Proud’’ Stephen Rea plays the Derry man Frederick Douglass Award and the NAACP today, set us on a course to sustain the who welcomes them and Darnell Williams is Image Award. With Ruby Dee, he received achievements of the civil rights era and to the war correspondent, Thomas Young, who The Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement build upon them. He exceeded our collective traveled with the Mason. Award and in 2002 The President’s National Tommy Hilfiger’s attention was first at- expectations. Medal of Arts at the Kennedy Center. tracted by the book and documentary done Ossie was one of the noblest individuals I Mr. Davis died of natural causes in Miami by Mary Pat Kelly, but he felt the story Beach, Florida on February 4, 2005. knew. He lived a life of dignity and pride that should be a dramatic feature if it were to was so exemplary that one wanted to emulate reach a wide audience. SHORT SYNOPSIS him. In his chosen profession of acting, he The events of 9/11 convinced him to finance Proud is a memory piece told by WWII vet, was a true legend that used his position to ad- the film himself. ‘‘We need our heroes,’’ he Lorenzo DuFau (Ossie Davis). As a sailor on vance positive images of the Black male and said. the USS Mason, he was a member of the only to challenge those who would accept the sub- Hilfiger’s daughter, Ally, became the pro- African American crew to take a US Warship jugation of an entire group based on their ducer and Mary Pat Kelly the writer/direc- into combat. As DuFau tells his wartime ex- tor. Ossie Davis was the first to sign on. ‘‘He race. He has a history of over one hundred periences to his grandson and two college blessed the movie with his presence,’’ said friends, the young men are transformed into films, plays, television series, and other pro- Kelly and Hilfiger. ductions that cover the range of experiences USS Mason sailors. They fight for their Ossie Davis attended a test screening of country, but also have to battle the racism of the Black male in America today. ‘‘Proud’’ in Washington, DC, with his grand- inherent in a segregated Navy. They perform Ossie who was always working, always rais- son, Jamal Day, who plays trumpet on the heroically and receive an unexpectedly warm ing important issues, left us in the film on movie score. Davis wore his USS Mason ball welcome in Ireland. The crew was rec- which he was working at the time of his death, cap and told the audience he wore it all the ommended for commendations in 1944, but an inspiring story that serves as a metaphor time so interviewers would ask about it and they were never awarded. The grandchildren he could tell them about the film. take up the fight, and the long overdue com- for the struggle by African-Americans for Davis died of natural causes in Miami equality of opportunity and inclusion. We are mendation is awarded to the surviving crew Beach, Florida on February 4, 2005. He had members in 1995. fortunate in the Harlem community to have intended to help promote the film. Ossie’s film to screen as a highlight of our ‘‘We’re pleased that those who admired f celebration of Harlem Week. Ossie Davis will see him in a role that so em- THE USA PATRIOT AND TER- The movie Proud, which was released two bodies his own life as an artist and activist,’’ RORISM PREVENTION REAU- said Kelly. months after his death, is a heroic story about THORIZATION ACT OF 2005 (H.R. an all-Black crew on the U.S. warship Mason 3199) during World War II. Ossie and his fellow cast OSSIE DAVIS (LORENZO DUFAU) members tell the important story of how the As USS Mason veteran, Lorenzo DuFau, HON. BETTY McCOLLUM War and a segregated Navy changed them. Ossie Davis, himself a WWII veteran, forms the head of the movie ‘‘Proud.’’ He is the OF MINNESOTA True to his nature, Ossie Davis made this ex- grandfather who passes the story of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES perience a personal investment in the struggle ‘‘men of the Mason’’ on to his grandson and Thursday, July 28, 2005 for justice and equality in Black America for thus insures that his shipmates will live on. his audience. This movie allows Ossie one ‘‘I am a part of American history,’’ he says. Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speak- last opportunity to tell the story of Black Amer- ‘‘Proudly we served and I want that ac- er, I rise to express my opposition to the reau- ica in this country. It is also our last oppor- knowledged.’’ thorization of the USA PATRIOT Act. tunity to witness this great man in action. As an actor, writer, producer and director, We live in a world in which vital issues of Ossie Davis has himself shaped American I submit for the RECORD the press release national security, homeland security and intel- history and insured that the richness of Afri- announcing the movie and describing how it ligence gathering need to be balanced with can-American experience is presented with the most fundamental freedoms and civil lib- came to be made. I look forward to attending artistry and joy. the screening of Proud in my community next Born in Cogdell, Georgia, Mr. Davis at- erties granted to the American people by our week and encourage everyone to take time tended Howard University and began a ca- Constitution. Terrorism is a real threat to our out and see this wonderful film. reer as an actor and writer with the Rose security, but laws that empower over zealous [From THEntertainment, April 18, 2005] McClelland Players in Harlem in 1939. He government officials to enter the private lives joined the Army after Pearl Harbor and PRESS RELEASE ‘‘PROUD’’ of individuals and ‘‘sneak and peak’’ based on served with great distinction as a member of suspicion is also dangerous. There was an op- (Written/Directed by Mary Pat Kelly) a medical team in West Africa. (Produced by Ally Hilfiger) portunity to find a common sense, bipartisan In 1946, Mr.