June 7, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1039 IN RECOGNITION OF THE WOMEN’S H. Savage of Idaho, David Williams Simnick of She will forever remain an inspiration to DIVISION OF THE FORT WORTH Illinois, Martin Iran Turman, Jr. of Indiana, many who seek guidance in her wisdom and METROPOLITAN BLACK CHAM- Preston Scott Bates of Kentucky, Seth D. words. She was noted for her no nonsense BER OF COMMERCE Dixon also of Kentucky, Benjamin David approach to the way of life as stated here, Goodman of Maine, Jonathan M. Brookstone ‘‘Don’t be nervous, don’t be tired and above HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS of Maryland, Zachary Ryan Davis of Massa- all, don’t be bored. Those are the three de- OF TEXAS chusetts, Lauren Brenda Gabriell Hollier of stroyers of freedom’’. Her insight goes far be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Michigan, Marvin Anthony Liddell also of yond dance and choreography, but into the Michigan, Christine C. DiLisio of Missouri, real human dilemma. It was stated that, ‘‘she Wednesday, June 7, 2006 Vernon Telford Smith IV of Montana, Victoria was speaking less about dance and more Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Elizabeth Gilbert of the Model United Nations about an area of equal concern: human recognize the contributions of the Women’s program, Eoghan Emmet Kelley of New rights’’. All those who knew her dignified heart Division of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Hampshire, Danielle C. Desaulniers of New of compassion could not help but follow her Chamber of Commerce in its support for the Jersey, Juan Carlo Sanchez of New Mexico, lead. development and recognition of women as Michael J. Couzens of New York, Edgar Turn- As a human rights activist, she spoke out business leaders in Fort worth. er Vaughn of North Carolina, Kenneth Robert publicly about the United States’ position on I am proud to represent an organization so Hines of Oklahoma, Jerrod Engelberg of Or- deporting Haitian refugees. Dunham was so dedicated in its efforts to empower African egon, Emily Claire Pramik of Pennsylvania, Al- passionate about the matter that in 1992 she American women and to create an expanded lison M. Dove of Tennessee, Joshua Ray went on a 47 day hunger strike to prove her atmosphere for inclusive business develop- Lambert of Virginia, Morrie S. Low of Wash- point. One notable activist, Harry Belafonte ment. The Women’s Division annually recog- ington, Rochelle Mincey-Thompson of the Dis- stressed the notion that, ‘‘She didn’t perform nizes the success of businesses and organiza- trict of Columbia, Max Joseph Balhorn of Wis- miracles; she performed acts of human kind- tions that support its mission, and it has consin. ness, which should be viewed as a miracle in awarded over a dozen scholarships to women We wish all of the 2006 YMCA Youth Gov- itself’’. to enable them to attend area colleges. ernors a very successful conference here in With age Ms. Dunham sought to spread her The Women’s Division of the Fort Worth Washington, and we encourage them to con- knowledge to especially young people. She Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce tinue their sincere devotion to leadership and wanted them to grow up with the adequate ca- has recognized over one hundred individuals public’ service in this and their future endeav- pabilities and skills necessary to live in today’s for their business, civic, and social accom- ors. ever-changing world. She kept a small mu- plishments and has itself been lauded by the f seum of artifacts about her career with her in Texas State House of Representatives for East St. Louis, Ill., where she educated local steadfast work in behalf and support of the MOVING THE WORLD KATHERINE children including Jackie JoynerKersee, the City of Fort Worth. DUNHAM CHOREOGRAPHED A Olympic long jumper, and filmmakers Reginald It is with great pleasure that I recognize the LIFE THAT STRETCHED BEYOND and Warrington Hudlin. Fort Worth Metropolitan Chamber of Com- THE STAGE When asked about her work with the youth merce Women’s Division and I am honored to she felt she was ‘‘trying to steer them into now represent them as part of the 26th Con- HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL something more constructive than genocide’’. gressional District of Texas. OF NEW YORK In a way, maintaining relations with the youth f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of today kept Dunham youthful, a quality she Wednesday, June 7, 2006 never lost. In a New York Times report done HONORING THE 45TH ANNUAL on her a few years back, she mentioned, ‘‘Did YMCA YOUTH GOVERNOR’S CON- Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to you ever see photographs of elderly divas try- FERENCE pay tribute to a truly remarkable woman, Ms. ing to look sexy?’’ Katherine Dunham. A woman of astounding I enter into the RECORD with pleasure the HON. PETE SESSIONS grace and character, Ms. Dunham has altered article published in the Washington Post and OF TEXAS for the better both our country and world. We New York Times for their in-depth look at IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES recently lost Ms. Dunham on May 21, 2006, at Katherine Dunham for both her artistic and hu- the age of 96 at an assisted living facility in manitarian efforts. She has truly left her mark Wednesday, June 7, 2006 New York. on our society and I will always remember her Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Born Katherine Mary Dunham in Chicago, III for that. We must keep her memory alive in MELANCON and I rise today to honor the 45th on June 22, 1909, and raised in Glen Ellyn, Ill, our hearts and minds so that generations after Annual YMCA Youth Governor’s Conference Dunham was fascinating from the very begin- us will know who she was and what she did. that begins in Washington, DC this weekend. ning. The author of a published short story in One cannot speak of dance and innovation We are pleased to have the distinct honor of a magazine edited by W.E.B. DuBois at the without mentioning Katherine Dunham, for she being the Congressional sponsors for the young age of 12 she had the gift for the writ- has without a doubt moved our world. Youth Governor’s breakfast with our fellow col- ten word. She was class poet in high school, [The Washington Post, May 23, 2006] leagues in the House. and later wrote a memoir entitled, ‘‘A Touch of MOVING THE WORLD The YMCA Youth Governor’s Conference Innocence’’. (By Sarah Kaufman) brings together some of the most outstanding Ms. Dunham was an enchanting beauty who It was a bitterly cold winter day three youth leaders in America. YMCA Youth and often danced with a sound sense of rhythm years ago when I last saw the pioneering Government is a nation-wide program that al- and eroticism. Dunham was always combining choreographer Katherine Dunham teach. She lows thousands of teenagers to simulate state and changing methods of dance, the sign of was rolled into the Howard University dance and national government. the true innovator within. Katherine Dunham studio in her wheelchair, bundled up like a Mr. Speaker, we would like to personally was a pioneer in the first in many areas for prized antique. First a thick fur blanket was recognize each of this year’s YMCA Youth blacks. She was among the first black artists peeled off, then a woolen wrap, and then Governors for their dedication and service to to form a ballet troupe and achieve renown as Dunham herself was revealed, somewhat hunched, wearing lots of gold jewelry. America’s youth. a modem dancer and choreographer on Peering through her oversize glasses at the Michael Dan Admire of Texas, Julia Cath- Broadway and in Hollywood. She was respon- more than 100 students sitting on the floor in erine Love of Louisiana, Neil Karamchandani sible for exposing to mass audiences the other front of her, she got right to work. of South Carolina, Brian Daniel Tinsman of side of black artistic expression, a side rarely ‘‘Think of everything you learn from me Delaware, Robert Charles Adler of Minnesota, seen. She made people in the 1930’s and today as part of a way of life,’’ she an- Charles Edward Strickland of Alabama, Mi- 1940’s see and understand black dance as nounced in a low, raspy voice. ‘‘Now— chael Elliot Hughes of Arizona, Ian David ‘‘more than tap and minstrelsy’’. breathe.’’ This was not as simple as it sounds. For Bruce of California, Matthew Paul Cavedon of She was also one of the first black Dunham, a tireless activist who died Sunday Connecticut, Rebekah Lydia Hammond of choreographers to work for the Metropolitan at the age of 96, invested every aspect of her Florida, Jerald Jake Landress of Georgia, Opera. Many admired Dunham because she life—indeed, you could say, every breath— Jordyn Suet Ha Toba of Hawaii, Thomas amassed so much in a country and time with meticulous attention and an unflinch- Naaliiolani Toyozaki, Jr. also of Hawaii, Capri where few opportunities for blacks existed. ing eye. VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:31 Jun 08, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07JN8.034 E07JNPT1 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with REMARKS E1040 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 7, 2006 And on this day in January 2003, that eye century, he said. Julie was a member of included a hunger strike of 47 days in 1992 to didn’t see much it liked. Dunham hollered at Dunham’s company; Harry credits Dunham protest the U.S.