[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 1997

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Universoul Circus as 
they bring their successful tour of the United States to the Power 
Center in Houston, in my district. Their production has entertained 
families across the country and is benefiting communities economically 
as well.
  The Universoul Circus is the first touring African-American circus in 
the United States in more than 100 years. It follows in the footsteps 
of Ephraim Williams, who in 1885 began the first all-African-American 
traveling show. What began with a horse doing math tricks quickly grew 
into three touring circuses, leading Williams to be called the Black 
P.T. Barnum. With the creation of the Universoul Circus, Cedric Walker 
has built on that tradition and brought it to a new generation.
  Since its humble beginning in 1994, in a rented tent in a parking lot 
in Atlanta, Universoul has grown in attendance and significance. Today, 
it performs to sold-out crowds across the country and has become a 
source of family entertainment and community pride that will last for 
decades to come. Mr. Walker is committed to bringing the circus to 
neighborhoods that have been traditionally underserved by the 
entertainment industry. The group bypasses suburban arenas for our 
Nation's poorer neighborhood, bringing over 100 jobs with it at each 
stop along its tour. By the end of their 18-city tour, the Universoul 
Circus will have given back more than $5 million to the communities 
they have visited.
  Like other circuses, the Universoul Circus showcases attractions from 
aerial and equestrian acts to wild animals and clown skits. Universoul, 
however, is much, much more than an ordinary circus. It spotlights the 
largest number of African-American performers in circus history and 
features urban themes, state-of-the-art lighting, and high-energy music 
under its big top. Performers pay tribute to such heroes as the 
renowned Buffalo Soldier cavalrymen, the Negro League ballplayers, and 
the famed Tuskeegee Airmen. For many of these performers, these acts 
are the first opportunity they have had to showcase their tremendous 
talents. Through their performances, they are honoring the struggles of 
the past while working to build a better future for our communities.
  The Universoul Circus was developed to provide quality entertainment 
to all families, but also to give children examples of positive 
African-American role models. Walker and his performers include lessons 
in African-American history at each performance and encourage children 
to take the ringmaster's pledge to love their families and say no to 
drugs. Instead of avoiding difficult subjects such as slavery, 
stereotypes, and racism, the Universoul Circus uses these tragedies as 
tools, to show that, through strength of mind and spirit, we can 
overcome all obstacles.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Universoul Circus for its success 
both in providing exciting, wholesome entertainment for our families 
and strong role models for our children.

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