[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 73 (Monday, June 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     TRIBUTE TO DR. JESTER HAIRSTON

                                 ______


                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 1994

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Dr. 
Jester Hairston, who will celebrate his 93d birthday on July 9, 1994. 
In celebration of his life and in commemoration of his outstanding 
accomplishments, the Holman United Methodist Church of Los Angeles--Dr. 
Hairston's spiritual home--is sponsoring a gala affair in his honor on 
July 8th and 9th, 1994. I am pleased to share with my colleagues just 
some of the reasons why Jester Hairston is held in such high esteem by 
many throughout the world.
  A distinguished and world-renowned artist, Dr. Hairston's music has 
been stirring souls for over 60 years. He has written and arranged 
numerous Negro spirituals including such all-time favorites as 
``Amen,'' ``Mary's Little Boy Child,'' and ``I Want Jesus To Walk With 
Me.'' Whether working with a group of classroom students or an 
international choir of 25,000, Jester Hairston possesses a gift for 
evoking melodious symmetry that at once transports and uplifts those 
experiencing it. Inspired arranger, brilliant composer, spirited choir 
director, versatile actor, ardent story teller, and lover of life; 
these are just a few phrases used to describe a man who has devoted 
over six decades to enriching the wealth of African-American folksongs 
and sharing his knowledge with future generations of every culture.
  Born at the turn of the century in North Carolina, he grew up in a 
small steelmill town in Pennsylvania. Until beset by financial 
difficulties, Dr. Hairston attended and was the star quarterback at the 
University of Massachusetts. Due to his exposure in the university's 
glee club, a wealthy New England aristocrat, Ms. Anna Laura Kidder, 
convinced Jester to pursue a singing career and financed his musical 
studies with private instructors in Boston. Jester Hairston graduated 
cum laude from Boston's Tufts University in 1929, and also studied 
extensively at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.
  For 13 years he was assistant conductor of the famous Hall Johnson 
Negro Choir of New York. It was under Mr. Johnson's tutelage that 
Jester developed aspirations of preserving the old Negro spirituals. 
During this time he trained choirs for many Broadway and radio shows 
with such outstanding artists as Don Voorhees, Andre Kostelanetz, and 
the late Al Jolson and Alfred Wallenstein.
  Accompanied by Hall Johnson, Dr. Hairston moved to Hollywood in 1936 
to arrange the chorus music for the motion picture ``The Green 
Pastures.'' Subsequently, the choir went to work with Dimitri Tiomkin 
on ``Lost Horizon,'' which proved to be an Academy Award-winning score. 
When Johnson fell ill, Jester took charge of the group; he hit it off 
with Tiomkin and produced his arrangements for the next 20 years. In 
1943, he organized a racially diverse choir and arranged the background 
music for many of Hollywood's outstanding films including ``Land of the 
Pharaohs,'' ``Friendly Persuasion,'' ``Carmen Jones,'' and ``Band of 
Angels.'' During this time, he became closely associated with Walter 
Schumann, and together they molded one of Capitol Records' most 
versatile singing groups ``The Voices of Walter Schumann.''

  Jester also performed as an actor in order to supplement his 
musician's income. He is well known for his character, Leroy, on the 
radio and television versions of Amos and Andy. More recently, Jester 
starred as Rolly on the television series ``Amen.'' Dr. Hairston's film 
credits include ``Tarzan's Hidden Jungle,'' ``The Alamo,'' ``To Kill a 
Mockingbird, ``Lady Sings the Blues,'' and ``The Last Tycoon.'' 
Additionally, he dubbed Sidney Poitier's voice in ``Lillies of the 
Field.'' Although some of the more stereotypical roles were painful, 
Jester finds strength in knowing that they formed the basis of the 
broader roles available to African-Americans today.
  Dr. Hairston's tireless dedication and enthusiasm for helping young 
people also has earned him the reputation as a gifted music instructor. 
For more than half a century, he has given lectures and conducted 
hands-on workshops to improve the understanding and quality of African-
American music. At the young age of 92, he continues to give generously 
of his time as a guest conductor and teacher, in the United States and 
abroad.
  In acknowledgement of his extraordinary talent, a number of his 
overseas missions have often been on behalf of the U.S. Government. 
Furthermore, Jester has been awarded honorary doctor of music degrees 
from the University of the Pacific and Tufts University. He is also the 
recipient of the doctorate of fine arts degree from the University of 
Massachusetts.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring Dr. Jester Hairston on his 93d birthday, and 
especially in paying tribute to a lifetime devoted to preserving a 
significant aspect of African-American culture and our country's 
history. I join his family, friends, and the members of Holman United 
Methodist Church in wishing, Dr. Jester Hairston many more years of 
continued joy, harmony, and prosperity.

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