[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE EIGHTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AND HERITAGE OF AFRICAN-
                               AMERICANS

 Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, our country is a remarkable 
mosaic--a mixture of races, languages, ethnicities, and religions--that 
grows increasingly diverse with each passing year. Nowhere is this 
incredible diversity more evident than in the State of New Jersey. In 
New Jersey, schoolchildren come from families that speak 120 different 
languages at home. These different languages are used in over 1.4 
million homes in my State. I have always believed that one of the 
United States greatest strengths is the diversity of the people that 
make up its citizenry and I am proud to call the attention of my 
colleagues to an event in New Jersey that celebrates the importance of 
the diversity that is a part of America's collective heritage.
  On June 4, 1995, the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, began 
its 1995 Spring Heritage Festival Series. The heritage festival program 
salutes some of the different ethnic communities that contribute so 
greatly to New Jersey's diverse makeup. Highlighting old country 
customs and culture, the festival programs are an opportunity to 
express pride in the ethnic backgrounds that are a part of our 
collective heritage. Additionally, the Spring Heritage Festivals will 
contribute proceeds from their programs to the Garden State Arts 
Center's Cultural Center Fund which presents theater productions free-
of-charge to New Jersey's school children, seniors, and other deserving 
residents. The heritage festival thus not only pays tribute to the 
cultural influences from our past, it also makes a significant 
contribution to our present day cultural activities.
  On Saturday, September 16, 1995, the Heritage Festival Series 
celebrated the Eighth Annual Festival of the Arts and Heritage of 
African-Americans. The first African-American Heritage Festival, 
founded by Clinton Crocker of Tinton Falls, NJ, was held in September, 
1988. The festival took its place in the series in September, 1988. The 
festival took its place in the series of heritage festivals at the 
Garden State Arts Center under the leadership of Julian Robinson, then 
commissioner of the New Jersey Highway Authority and was so ably 
organized this year by Carol Washington.
  Clinton Crocker's early vision of a major festival which would 
reflect pride in the African-American presence in New Jersey, has laid 
the foundation for an outstanding event that celebrates the beauty and 
diversity of African-American culture. The festival presented a wide 
variety of performing arts including: soloists, African dance troupes, 
gospel singers, and African story-tellers sharing traditional tales. 
The festival also showcased ethnic foods from the African continent as 
well as African-American favorites and was undobtedly one of the 
highlights of the day.
  The African-American Heritage Festival has proven itself to be an 
outstanding event over the years. The festival continues to grow in 
popularity each year, more than doubling its annual attendance from its 
first year. With increased popularity has come increased profits which 
has led to the development of a Relief Fund for Uwanda and other needy 
African nations. Profits also go to fund recreational activities for 
needy seniors, the disadvantaged, and for scholarship funds for college 
students.
  Congratulations once again on the eighth anniversary of the Festival 
of the Arts and Heritage of African-Americans. Best wishes for 
continued success and to all who attended the festival to celebrate a 
day of pride in their ethnicity.

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