[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E 2223]]


ST. LOUIS GATEWAY CLASSIC FOUNDATION SCORES WIN FOR BLACK ORGANIZATIONS

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 20, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute an organization which 
is doing an outstanding job of assisting black organizations in the St. 
Louis area. Our colleague, the gentleman from Missouri, Bill Clay, 
brought to my attention the efforts of an organization known as the St. 
Louis Gateway Classic Foundation. The organization recently hosted a 
fund raising football game. The game, which featured Howard University 
and the Arkansas A&M University, attracted more than 35,000 spectators. 
More importantly, the event garnered nearly $200,000 which was donated 
to local black organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to salute the executive director of the St. Louis 
Gateway Classic Foundation, Mr. Earl Wilson. I commend him for his 
strong commitment to giving back to the community. I want to share with 
my colleagues an article which appeared in the St. Louis Sentinel 
Newspapers concerning the foundation. It is certainly worthwhile 
reading.

              [From the St. Louis Sentinel, Nov. 2, 1995]

                  St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation

       Mr. Earl Wilson, executive director of the St. Louis 
     Gateway Classic Foundation aka Budweiser Gateway Classic 
     Football Game, deserves a loud round of applause, for a job 
     well done.
       The recent college football game by two major Black 
     institutions, Howard University and Arkansas A&M held in St. 
     Louis, show that Black colleges and universities are still 
     striving, despite some major cuts in financial aid to these 
     Black centers of higher learning.
       What is unique about the St. Louis Gateway Classic 
     Foundation which sponsors the game, it [foundation] gives 
     something back to the community. It is a Black run 
     organization that raises funds through an event that is 
     supported by the corporate community, and the bottom line is 
     that it is profitable and local Black not-for-profit 
     organizations benefit from it. This is the type of event hat 
     more Blacks and whites need to support, both by attending and 
     contributing financially.
       This year's football game attracted over 35,000 spectators, 
     about a 15% increase over last year, which means the event is 
     growing every year.
       This local sports program is certainly an uplift in terms 
     of an economic stimulus to the Black community. In the past, 
     major sports events have been held in this city, based on the 
     backs of Blacks and not a cent has filtered into the Black 
     community or businesses. However, with the classic it is a 
     much different story.
       Not long ago, Wilson was associated with a major white 
     sports event that looked good on paper, and promised to make 
     sure that everyone in the city would benefit from it. But, 
     this sports event was literally a sham, and Wilson and 
     several other prominent Blacks resigned from the board and a 
     Black economic boycott almost sunk the event.
       The event was the Summer Olympic Games that were held in 
     St. Louis. The sponsors and organizers raised millions of 
     dollars, but no Black businesses or organizations benefited 
     from it. And, this is the normal pattern and practice of 
     sports events that are void of Black involvement. In other 
     words, when high profile sports events occur in major cities, 
     the only persons that really benefit are the athletes that 
     participate, and the economic benefits or money that is 
     derived from the event, always finds a convenient avenue to 
     skirt the Black community.
       After all was said and done with the Gateway Classic, 
     almost $200,000 went to local Black organizations, who 
     otherwise would not have benefited.
       In closing, we wish Earl Wilson and his organization the 
     best of luck, and hope that next year's game draws more 
     people and gives him the ability to give away more money to 
     Black groups, this is really the ideal concept of Blacks 
     helping Blacks! Maybe Wilson needs to share his secrets of 
     success with other Black groups throughout the city and 
     country.

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