[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 41 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  IN RECOGNITION OF DR. JAMES W. WASHINGTON, JR., RENOWNED ARTIST AND 
    NATIVE MISSISSIPPIAN, UPON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS GLOSTER, MS, 
                               HOMECOMING

                                 ______


                            HON. MIKE PARKER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 1994

  Mr. PARKER. Mr. Speaker, today I stand in the Halls of Congress, in 
the people's chamber, to recognize a native son of my district and an 
esteemed citizen of our great country, Dr. James W. Washington, Jr.
  In 1911, Dr. Washington was born in Gloster, Mississippi, in Amite 
County. Gloster was not an art center. There was no art institute in 
which a talented young person might develop his skills. Through 
correspondence courses, books, pure observation and self-teaching, Dr. 
Washington emerged from a rural, small-town upbringing to become the 
internationally renowned painter and sculptor for which he is known 
today. Dr. Washington also is widely recognized as a poet and 
philosopher. He is a true renaissance man and has been recognized as 
``One of the Founders of the Age of Enlightenment.''
  Dr. Washington enjoyed a career in U.S. government service from 1927 
to 1960, at which point his artistic success allowed him to devote his 
full attentions to his creative talents. Beginning with his first 
exhibition in 1938 at the YWCA in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the works of 
Dr. Washington have since been exhibited across the country and abroad. 
He has traveled extensively and been acquainted with many of his famed 
contemporaries from the Mexican artist Diego Rivera to Rev. Martin 
Luther King, Jr.
  After spending his first 30 years in Mississippi, Dr. Washington left 
in 1941 and has resided in Washington State for many years with his 
wife of 5 decades, Janie R. Miller. However, Mississippians all know 
that we are Mississippians for life. No matter where we go or how long 
we are absent, we always come home. We also never forget the simple and 
good way of life that we enjoy in our native state. Dr. Washington 
remembers rabbit hunting, homemade muscadine jelly, and walks in the 
old woods near his boyhood home.
  Dr. Washington is coming home on May 1, 1994. For the first time in 
his long and illustrious career, he will receive the accolades of his 
home state and his hometown community. I will be present for his 
homecoming, and look forward to meeting this great man.
  Please join with me today in expressing admiration and gratitude to 
an honored native of my state and a respected citizen of the world, Dr. 
James W. Washington, Jr.

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