15822 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS June 19, 1980 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS IN MEMORIAM-RUSSELL W. Rowena Jelliffe fought an uphill At this time, Mr. Speaker, I enter JELLIFFE battle to rectify this situation. two articles written about Russell Jel­ As a result, playwright, poet, and liffe in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: HON. LOUIS STOKES actor Langston Hughes, and television RUSSELL W. JELLIFFE performers Ivan Dixon and Robert Men of foresight and wisdom struggle dili­ OF OHIO Guillaume got their starts in Karamu gently to fulfill their dreams, never count­ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES House. Local talent like Dr. Zelma ing the cost or the sacrifice such devotion George, a superb opera singer, were demands. Such a man was Russell W. Jel­ Thursday, June 19, 1980 liffe. Long before legislation decreed civil also provided a showcase at Karamu rights, he and his wife, Rowena, champi­ e Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, thank House. oned human rights and equal opportunities you for extending me this opportunity With the Jelliffes playing such a at a time <1915> when such liberal views to memorialize a man of great vision vital role in black theater in this coun­ were considered radical. They concentrated and one who had the fortitude to try, I shudder to think what would their efforts on the underprivileged, the de­ make it a reality-Mr. Russell W. Jel­ have happened if it had not been for prived and the displaced regardless of race, liffe. On Saturday, June 7, 1980, Rus­ their unfledging commitment. creed or color. sell W. Jelliffe, founder and director The success of the Jelliffe's Karamu In addition to Karamu House, both House was the fruition of years of constant emeritus of the famous Karamu Russell and Rowena Jelliffe were very struggle, and an unnerving belief in the dig­ House in Cleveland died. Mr. Speaker, involved in the improvement in the nity of men. Its inter-racial and cultural arts the many Clevelanders and friends quality of life for blacks and the poor program, under their guidance, nurtured around the world who loved and re­ in Cleveland and around the country. painters, dancers, actors, singers and musi­ spected him will participate in a memo­ Mr. Jelliffe was one of the founders of cians who achieved national and interna­ rial service o~ June 25, 1980. tional fame while the founders continued to the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing concentrate on the local black and white Many of my colleagues are familiar Authority and the Cleveland Urban residents of Cleveland. The Jelliffes were an with Karamu House and the exempla­ League. Additionally, he was a unbeatable team. ry dramatic arts, music, dance, and member of the executive committee of Now that partnership has been dissolved theater it has provided to people the NAACP. by his death. Now in the hectic times of the throughout the years regardless of Mr. Speaker, I must reiterate that present day, our city and our nation need race, social status, or economic level. persons of the caliber of Russell Jelliffe, Mr. Russell Jelliffe and his wife men of faith and unselfish dedication who The idea of Karamu House and its Rowena dedicated their lives to the are willing to sacrifice private gain for overriding philosophy of racial har­ less fortunate people in our society­ public good. mony was the dream of Russell Jel­ the ones America had turned its back Unfortunately, the ranks of such individ­ liffe and his lovely wife, Rowena. This on. After his retirement from Karamu uals are slowly dwindling and few, if any, dream has stood the test of time and House in 1963, the Jelliffes traveled are ready to take his place. Does his death has weathered the ups and downs of around the country helping other mark the end of an Era? race relations in this country to groups establish theaters like Karamu become a shining symbol of both the­ House. Because of this compassion and [From the Cleveland Press, June 10, 1980] atrical and social and racial coopera­ achievement, I feel honored to be on JELLIFFE WAS BROTHERHOOD'S CHAMPION tion. the board of Karamu House ~ The world of race relations <to use the But, this dream was not always a Mr. Speaker, it is virtually impossi­ current term> or of humanity <to use a more ble to bid Russell Jelliffe-goodbye. As accurate one> lost a great champion over pleasant one. When Karamu House the weekend with the death of Russell Jel­ was founded, the Jelliffes were consid­ long as Karamu House is open, he will liffe, who with his wife Rowena· founded, in ered to be radicals. At that period in live with us. 1915, what was to become Cleveland's our history, Mr. Speaker, it was not Russell Jelliffe did so much for so famous Karamu House. fashionable for whites to be concerned many. I think that an analogy can be Thus, for 65 years, our town and that in­ about the well-being of blacks. Howev­ drawn between what Russell Jelliffe stitution have been known for their efforts er, the Jelliffes were atypical and did for the performing arts and the at recognizing that all of mankind has stood fast to their dream. following verse written by Mr. Lang­ within it the capacity not only for tolerance but, far more important, for active coopera­ From its inception as a community ston Hughes: tion and good will. settlement house in 1915, the primary I too sing America Karamu's success over the years and the purpose was to apprise blacks from I am the darker brother. Jelliffes' many honors are far too familiar the great migration from the South to They send me to eat in the kitchen when stories to recount here. Each person who company comes, has been touched by them has his own story the North on how to find jobs and to tell. And while the details will differ with housing. Later, Karamu House grew But, I laugh and eat well, and grow strong. the individual, the principle, the thread into a parent organization for adult Tomorrow, I'll be at the table when compa­ that runs so true through the whole fabric, education programs, a children's nurs­ ny comes; is the same: The conviction they held that ery, and dance, quartet, chorus, and Nobody'll dare say to me, "Eat in the kitch- with either individuals or groups, working art groups. Probably most notable was en,'' with one another is better by far than work­ the fact that the theater became inter­ Then, besides, they'll see how beautiful I ing against one another. nationally known as the first outlet am- My first association with Russell Jelliffe And be ashamed­ came at the time of the opening of the then for black playwrights and actors in the brand new Karamu Theaters at the corner United States. For I too, am America of 89th St. and Quincy Ave. It was Russell Jelliffe's dream that Russell Jelliffe demonstrated that The year 1949 saw Karamu House well the theater could be a place where we are all a part of America. His preoc­ along toward its international fame as an example-more than that, a showcase-for black plays as well as white plays and cupation with this extended from com­ the blending of the artistic talents of blacks actresses could be judged fairly on munity affairs to business to the per­ and whites. tl).eir merits. With the inequitable sit­ forming arts. In this day of increasing But the building of the theaters, small but uation with black plays and actors at racial strife, he leaves us a dream and modern and well equipped, was a milestone that time in this country, Russell and a powerful legacy. that required putting the very best foot for- e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by the Member on the floor. June 19, 1980 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 15823 ward with exciting and dramatic fare that the summer Olympic games in The beginning of the trial immedi­ would make the world sit up and take its Moscow. ately generated public interest which second look at what Cleveland had here. Jay Mogavero and his New England greatly increased when the sentences I personally felt highly honored to be were announced in December. In fact, asked, at the time, to be the musical direc­ Barracuda Amateur Swimming Team tor of the opening presentation, Gian-Carlo were invited last winter by the Soviet the international reaction to the Menotti's gripping opera "The Medium." Union to represent the United States severe sentences was so strong that Russell Jelliffe convinced me, in about four in a special international swimming the Soviet Government had to reduce sentences, of the historic nature of the ven­ meet that was to have taken place this all of them. Of those convicted all ture-just as he was able to do with almost past January. Mogavero's team, con­ have gotten to the West except three everyone he talked to about it. sisting of 10 senior-level girls and an men who still remain in prison camps: Dr. Zelma George, opera singer, sociolo­ equal number of boys, was to have Iosif Mendelevich (32), Yuri Federov gist and a pillar of strength for artistic taken on the Russians in one of a long causes, black and white, had been cast as <37), and Aleksei Murzhenko <37). Madame Flora, the phony spiritualist who series of preparations the Russians Mendelevich, the heart and spirit of gets caught up in her own machinations and were staging in preparation for the the operation, was a student/engineer superstitions.