June 13, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E989 Largely due to the terrorist violence in the Dee, one of the most talented and influential Medal in recognition for her active engage- North, an estimated 3.3 million Nigerians are actresses in American history and a com- ment and ‘‘personal presence at pivotal mo- displaced—making Nigeria the world’s third mitted activist for social and economic justice ments in the tumultuous history of American largest displaced population, behind only Syria for more than 60 years. civil rights.’’ and Columbia. Many of those displaced peo- Ruby Dee passed away peacefully in her In 1946, Ruby Dee joined the cast of the ple are farmers, which will certainly disrupt the New Rochelle, New York home on June 11, Broadway-bound play, ‘‘Jeb,’’ where she met next harvesting season and further impoverish 2014. She was 91 years old. , the play’s lead character, and the Nigeria’s suffering people. Born Ruby Ann Wallace in 1922 in Cleve- man who would become her husband and Yet the blame for the perennial lack of de- land, Ohio, Ruby Dee moved to New York’s soul mate in 1948. velopment in northern Nigeria should not be as a small child where she was raised Over the next 59 years Ruby Dee and heaped on the federal government alone. We by her father, Marshall Wallace, and his wife, Ossie Davis performed together on stage and have been told that northern states have Amelia, a schoolteacher and stickler for elocu- screen numerous times and were united in money for development, and one national leg- tion and the person who introduced Ruby Dee their protests against injustice, whether it was islator from the north acknowledged that each to poetry, music and dance. speaking out in the against the execu- It was in her Harlem school where Ruby member of Nigeria’s Parliament has at least tions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; McCar- Dee first read a passage from a play for her $1 million dollars (not Nigerian naira) at his or thyism; or the revocation of ’s class mates and was met with applause, her disposal to use for constituent services. passport. National and state governments in Nigeria sparking her passion for acting. After graduating from in They protested the Vietnam War and have to be pushed to do more on develop- marched for civil rights, voting rights, women’s ment with money they already have. It is im- 1945, she embarked upon a truly remarkable stage and screen career, one that lasted near- rights, environmental justice, and against perative that we provide the training and sup- South African apartheid. In 1963, at the March port for Nigerians to develop their own capac- ly 70 years. She was a member of the Amer- ican Negro Theatre where she acted along- on Washington, the couple served as the mas- ity to help Nigeria to end the Boko Haram ters of ceremonies at Washington Monument threat. The Leahy Law, which forbids U.S. side other legends such as , , and Hilda Simms. entertainment event preceding the march to support for military and security forces in- the Lincoln Memorial. volved in human rights violations, is seen as In 1946, Ruby Dee appeared in her first Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis counted among an obstacle to achieving that goal. We need to movie, a musical called ‘‘That Man of Mine.’’ their close friends both the Rev. Dr. Martin Lu- examine this matter further if our assistance is She went on to star in several acclaimed films ther King, Jr. and ; Presidents Car- to be effective. including ‘‘The Story,’’ ‘‘The We also need to ensure that our investiga- Incident,’’ ‘‘ Victorious,’’ ‘‘Do the Right ter, Clinton, Obama; and Nelson Mandela. tive capacity under the Foreign Terrorist Orga- Thing,’’ and ‘‘American Gangster,’’ for which Throughout her life, the husky-voiced Ruby nization designation is sufficient to identify she was nominated for the Best Supporting Dee was a profile in courage. She bravely those providing material and other assistance Actress Academy Award, the second oldest stood up for her beliefs and spoke truth to to Boko Haram. Without this element, our person ever to be nominated. power when many did not out of fear that as- sanctions on Boko Haram and its leaders will Ruby Dee is perhaps best known for ex- sociation with controversial causes would have not be effective. traordinary portrayals of Ruth Younger in the an adverse effect on their careers. The Boko Haram crisis is complex, but it stage and screen productions of Lorraine But because of her courage and steadfast- can be understood and tackled effectively if Hansberry’s timeless classic, ‘‘A Raisin in the ness, the doors of opportunity would later be we know the relevant facts. We had witnesses Sun,’’ for which she received the National opened to future generations of performing at the hearing I held who shed significant light Board of Review Award for Best Supporting artists of all races, creeds, and backgrounds. on this situation so that we are better able to Actress. It truly can be said that Ruby Dee was an proceed in helping to end this threat to Nige- Playing the wife of the main character, Wal- inspiration for African-American performers ria, its neighbors, and the international com- ter Lee Younger (played by Sidney Poitier), and women around the world. Ruby Dee’s Ruth Younger was, as the New munity. Mr. Speaker, Ruby Dee lived a long, ful- York Times put it: ‘‘a character with far too f filling, storied and consequential life. She much on her plate: an overcrowded home, a made her mark in the world. More important, TRIBUTE TO RUBY DEE LEG- troubled husband, a young son, an over- she made a difference in the lives of untold ENDARY STAR OF STAGE AND bearing mother-in-law, a wearying job and an numbers of girls aspiring to realize their SCREEN, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIV- unwanted pregnancy, not to mention the dreams. IST, AND TRAILBLAZER WHO shared burden of black people everywhere in OPENED DOORS OF OPPOR- a society skewed against them.’’ I hope that Ruby Dee’s family and loved TUNITY FOR GENERATIONS OF Over her illustrious 70 year career, Ruby ones are comforted by the fact that so many PERFORMING ARTISTS Dee was the recipient of numerous honors people all around the world are mourning with and awards, including the Emmy, the them at this difficult time. HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE Grammy, the Obie, the Screen Actors Guild, So today one of our nation’s greatest ac- tress has taken her final bow and the curtain OF TEXAS and the Drama Desk Awards. has come down on the extraordinary passion IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1995 President Clinton awarded her the and in 2008 she re- play that is and was the life of the legendary, Friday, June 13, 2014 ceived the , the highest honor talented, and supremely beautiful Ruby Dee. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bestowed by the NAACP. That same year she Her next play will be in Heaven, accom- pay tribute and remember the great Ruby also received the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill panied by a chorus of angels.

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