E146 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 14, 2013 Horne created a legacy by not only enter- ligence to fight racial discrimination. I urge my Lessenden. Alan is a very special young man taining Americans for over 60 years, but by colleagues to support the Lena Horne recogni- who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- breaking many racial barriers as a singer, tion Act, in order to honor her life and legacy zenship and leadership by taking an active dancer, and actress. Ms. Horne passed away with a Congressional Gold Medal. part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 351, in New York City on May 9, 2010 at the age f and earning the most prestigious award of of 92. Eagle Scout. Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born on PERSONAL EXPLANATION Alan has been very active with his troop, June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. Her participating in many scout activities. Over the path to international stardom began in Har- HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO many years Alan has been involved with lem’s Cotton Club, where she was first hired OF OREGON scouting, he has not only earned numerous as a chorus dancer at the age of 16. From IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- there, her career continued in Charlie Barney’s Thursday, February 14, 2013 ily, peers, and community. Most notably, Alan jazz band, where she became one of the first has contributed to his community through his African-American women to tour with an all Mr. DEFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I Eagle Scout project. white band, to Hollywood and Broadway. was unable to record my vote on H.R. 267, Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in In the 1940s, Ms. Horne was discovered by the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act. I commending Alan P. Lessenden for his ac- a Metro Gold Mayer talent scout and moved to was detained by a very important meeting with complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- Hollywood to be an actress. She was the first Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber about issues ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the black artist to sign a long-term contract with a critical to my rural communities and State. highest distinction of Eagle Scout. major studio. Despite her beauty and talent, I am a strong supporter of renewable en- f ergy and agree there’s enormous untapped however, she was limited to minor acting roles HONORING JANICE ATKINSON, because of her race. She was passed over for potential for hydropower. Reducing red tape, process, and cost to approve small, non-con- COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER AS- the role of Julie in the movie Show Boat be- SESSOR REGISTRAR OF VOTERS cause the studio did not want the film to star troversial hydropower projects is a no-brainer. a black actress, and the Motion Picture Code I am pleased the bill passed 422–0 and would did not allow the depiction of interracial rela- have voted ‘‘yea’’ had I been available. I look HON. MIKE THOMPSON OF CALIFORNIA tionships. Nonetheless, she dazzled audiences forward to supporting H.R. 267 in the future if IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and critics in a number of films, including the bill is amended and comes back to the Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. House from the Senate. Thursday, February 14, 2013 The struggle for equal and fair treatment f Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, was an inseparable and increasingly political NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVER- I rise today, along with my colleague JARED part of Ms. Horne’s life. During WWII, she SITY—REMEMBERING THOSE HUFFMAN, to recognize Janice Atkinson, who toured extensively with the United Service Or- LOST ON FEBRUARY 14, 2008 is retiring as county clerk-recorder assessor ganizations on the West Coast and in the and registrar of voters. South in support of the troops. Ms. Horne was Jancie Atkinson is a third generation outspoken in her criticism of the way black HON. BILL FOSTER Sonoma County native and comes from a long soldiers were treated. She refused to sing for OF ILLINOIS line of public servants. She began her public segregated audiences or to groups where IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES service career in election administration in German prisoners of war were seated in front Thursday, February 14, 2013 1972 with the Registrar of Voters Division of of the African-American servicemen. Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, it is with a the County Clerk’s Office. She worked her During the period of McCarthyism in the heavy heart that I rise today to ask the House way up through the division, was appointed di- 1950s, Ms. Horne was blacklisted as a com- to observe a moment of silence for the trag- vision chief in 1979 and assumed the position munist for seven years due to her civil rights edy that occurred at Northern Illinois Univer- of assistant department head in 1995. She activism and her friendships with Paul Robe- sity five years ago. On February 14, 2008, we was elected to the position of County Clerk- son and W.E.B. DuBois. Despite facing contin- lost five very bright and energetic young stu- Recorder Assessor of the County of Sonoma ued discrimination, Ms. Horne’s career flour- dents—students who had hoped to one day on June 6, 2006, and assumed office on Janu- ished in television and onstage throughout the become the future of our nation. ary 8, 2007. country. It was during this time that she also Each year since that tragic day, members of Ms. Atkinson’s primary area of expertise is established herself as a major recording artist. the community gather to remember those stu- in the field of election administration. As As- In 1957, she recorded Lena Horne at the Wal- dents and to present the memorial wreathes. sistant Registrar of Voters, she headed the di- dorf Astoria, which reached the Top 10 and Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna vision responsible for the conduct of all elec- became the best selling album by a female Gehant, Ryanne Mace, and Daniel Parmenter tions in Sonoma County including city, school singer in RCA Victor’s history. will never be forgotten, for they will always be and special district elections. The division Ms. Horne used her talent and fame to be- in our hearts. Their memories will live on maintains the files of approximately 600 elect- come a powerful voice for civil rights and through their family and friends, as well as ed officials, 249,554 registered voters and the equality. In 1963, she participated in the his- Northern Illinois University. boundaries of all political subdivisions in the toric March on Washington for Jobs and Free- ‘‘Forward, Together Forward,’’ three simple County. dom. She also performed at rallies throughout words that stem from the University’s Fight Under Ms. Atkinson’s leadership, Sonoma the country for the National Council for Negro Song, teach us a lesson that we can all learn County removed barriers to participation in the Women and worked with the National Associa- from. It reminds us that even in the darkest of democratic process by administering a highly tion for the Advancement of Colored People situations, when all seems lost, if we come to- successful vote-by-mail program. In November (NAACP). gether as a community there is nothing that 2006, Sonoma County’s voter turnout of 75.49 Ms. Horne finally received the break she we cannot get through. It gives us the strength percent exceeded the statewide average turn- had been waiting for her in 1981, which was and motivation to move forward. out by almost 20 percent. Sonoma County’s a one woman Broadway show. Lena Horne: Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me high voter turnout can be attributed to the high The Lady and Her Music, was the culmination in remembering those lost and to support all number of permanent absentee voters in the of her triumphs and struggles. The show en- who were affected by this tragedy. County (roughly 52 percent of the registered voters) and the efforts of the department to joyed a 14-month run and earned her a Tony f Award and two Grammy Awards. keep the voter files up-to-date. Ms. Atkinson Furthermore, she received two stars on the HONORING ALAN P. LESSENDEN implemented an accessible voting system for Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in both voters with disabilities, all while maintaining motion pictures and recordings, as well as a HON. SAM GRAVES paper-based voting systems, assuring voter footprint on the International Civil Rights Walk OF MISSOURI confidence in elections. of Fame at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ms. Aktinson was an active member in the Historic Site. California Association of Clerks and Election Mr. Speaker, Lena Horne was an extraor- Thursday, February 14, 2013 Official from 1976–2012. She served on the dinary woman who refused to give up her Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I board of directors from 2002–2012, as Cor- dreams and used her beauty, talent, and intel- proudly pause to recognize Alan P. respondence Secretary from 1988–2011 and VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:55 Feb 15, 2013 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A14FE8.005 E14FEPT1 tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS February 14, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E147 as a member of the County Recorder’s Asso- This weekend, tens of thousands of peo- performed by contract guards—which has cost ciation of California from 2001–2012.