[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO THE ``I CAN'' CHOIR

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 1996

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an extraordinary group of young people from the country of South 
Africa. These individuals are members of the ``I Can'' Choir, which 
consists of 75 male singers who range in age from 14 to 24 years, and a 
coed traditional dance team.
  The ``I Can'' Choir was formed in August 1990 and has performed 
throughout South Africa receiving numerous honors and winning several 
competitions. These singers possess strong, powerful voices and because 
of the group's commitment and hard work, this current 4-week tour of 
the United States has become a reality. The choir members combine their 
talent with information to direct attention to and educate their 
audience about the development of post-apartheid South Africa.
  Their participation in the Black History Month program hosted by 
Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste 
of the City of Elizabeth, NJ will help make this event extra special. 
In addition to singing, the choir will provide the audience with 
information on the historical effort to abolish apartheid and on actual 
conditions and challenges currently facing South Africa. As a member of 
the Subcommittee on Africa of the Committee on International Relations 
in the House, I am quite aware of the forces that help shape the 
decisions that are made in that country. I believe that it is important 
for our young people to use Black History Month to also become informed 
about conditions in African countries.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all my colleagues to join me in saluting 
this wonderful group of young people from South Africa, the ``I Can'' 
Choir. I think that the members of the ``I Can'' Choir should be 
commended, not only for sharing their talent with the United States, 
but also for educating us about their country.

                          ____________________