[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S773-S774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE FORUM MAGAZINE'S SEVENTH ANNUAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN PIONEER AWARDS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the recipients 
of the Seventh Annual African-American Pioneer Awards, hosted by the 
Forum magazine. In 1991, the Forum magazine began the African-American 
Pioneer Awards to ``document, honor, and celebrate the little-known 
accomplishments of African-Americans from the Flint community and other 
parts of Michigan.''
  I am pleased to congratulate the following recipients of the 1997 
African-American Pioneer Award:
  Mr. Darwin Davis, a successful businessman and senior vice president 
of the Equitable. In a 1988 issue of Black Enterprise, Mr. Davis was 
listed as one of America's 25 most important black executives.
  The Velvelettes, one of three Motown bands still performing with its 
original members. The group is comprised of Flint natives Norma Barbee-
Fairhurst, Bertha Barbee-Fairhurst and Kalamazoo natives Mildred Gill-
Arbor and Carolyn Gill-Street.
  Creative Expressions Dance Studio, founded in 1990, which operates 
under the city of Flint's Parks and Recreation Department. The studio 
specializes in tap and ballet and has had great success in national and 
local competitions.
  Mr. Mario J. Daniels, founding member of Mario J. Daniels & 
Associates, P.C., the first African-American certified public 
accounting firm in Flint-Genesee County.

[[Page S774]]

  Mr. Michael Shumpert, president-CEO of WOWE radio station, the only 
African-American owned and operated FM radio station in the Flint-
Saginaw communities.
  Mr. Gregory Jackson, currently the only African-American GM dealer in 
the Flint-Genesee County area.
  Dr. Charlie Roberts, the first African-American to be appointed vice 
president at Mott Community College.
  The Pioneer Awards recognize the great contributions African-
Americans have made and are making in the community. I know my Senate 
colleagues will join me in honoring the achievements of these 
outstanding Americans.

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