[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6400-H6401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BURRELL COMMUNICATIONS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Illinois [Mrs. Collins] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, this evening it is my pleasure 
to honor a distinguished citizen and corporate entity from my district, 
Tom Burrell and the Burrell Communications Group who on tomorrow, June 
14, will celebrate 25 years of outstanding service to African-American 
consumers.
  In this wonderfully diverse Nation it is essential that the broad 
span of American diversity be fully represented in advertising. It is 
good business because it extends the reach of corporate marketing 
efforts, and it is good social policy because it creates positive 
images of African-American culture, serves as a bridge of information 
and awareness among general audiences, and as a source of inspiration 
and self-esteem among African-Americans.
  Twenty-five years ago as a young copy writer Tom Burrell affirmed 
that the best way to communicate with the black consumer is through the 
natural channel of communications, the African-American advertising 
agency. And thus began Tom's legacy of developing culturally relevant 
and sensitive advertising messages that have over the years generated 
business-building, award-winning marketing communications programs for 
some of our Nation's best-known companies.
  Tom Burrell's creativity work embodies the highest level of 
professionalism. His award winning advertisements are often imitated by 
general advertising agencies. And most importantly he has never 
forgotten his community. Burrell Communications continues to be a 
significant training around for young African-Americans in the 
advertising industry. Their work and financial contributions for the 
betterment of our community and our nation must not go unmentioned.
  Tom has overcome many, many difficult obstacles in making these 
achievements, and some surely remain.
  Mr. Speaker, it has always been one of my highest legislative 
priorities to work to improve conditions for African-American, women, 
seniors, and minorities in every aspect of this society. I first 
introduced The Non-Discrimination in Advertising Act in 1987, and I 
introduced H.R. 177, the Diversity in Media Act in 1995.
  I am proud that I have been successful in amending a great deal of 
legislation over the past 23 years to make sure that minorities were 
included.
  I would like to officially thank you Tom and the Burrell 
Communications

[[Page H6401]]

Group for the roles you have played in helping me better understand the 
barriers confronting the African-American advertising agencies. They 
have been an invaluable resource to me and my staff as we have worked 
to shape legislation to ensure that African-Americans and African-
American advertising agencies are included in the mainstream of 
advertising industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute the leadership and service 
displayed by Tom Burrell and the Burrell Communications Group. Tom 
Burrell's courage, vision, leadership, and creative contributions to 
the advertising industry have been a continuing source of inspiration 
and self-esteem for African-Americans.
  I look forward to continuing to work with him and the African-
American advertising industry as we move forward into the 21st century. 
I salute and thank Tom Burrell and the Burrell Communications Group for 
25 years of positive images of African-American culture in American 
media. I am confident that the next 25 will be even more fruitful.

                          ____________________