[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          1998 CONGRESSIONAL OBSERVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 1998

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to 
celebrate Black History Month with my esteemed colleagues today.
  Black History Month marks a time in which we may all formally revisit 
the vast contributions and achievements of African-Americans to our 
country's rich history. Indeed, the legacy of the founder of Black 
History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, is that of a poor man, who 
triumphed over adversity to earn a doctorate from Harvard and devote 
his life to teaching and recording the history of African-American 
life.
  I would like to use this occasion to highlight two figures from my 
district in Illinois, whose personal talents and accomplishments have 
been matched by their dedication to aiding their communities.
  Katherine Dunham was born in the beginning of the 20th century. She 
quickly established herself as a woman of enormous integrity and 
passion, for the humanities and social causes, which held such salience 
for her. She enjoyed a prominent place in the performing arts world as 
a choreographer combining Caribbean dances, traditional ballet, and 
African-American rhythms to create a dance known as the Dunham 
technique. Dunham's reputation as an accomplished dancer earned her 
engagements to dance in over 55 countries.
  Dunham was unsatisfied, though, simply with the respect she had 
gained as a performer; Throughout the later part of her life, Dunham 
became engrossed in finding avenues to help others. In the arts field, 
she developed a school called the Performing Arts Training Center in 
East St. Louis. This school offered African Americans the opportunity 
to become involved in the arts and learn about African cultural 
history. Recently, in the early 1990's, Dunham has also become a strong 
advocate for the welfare of the Haitian people.
  Another public figure from my district has also challenged herself to 
find ways to act on her principles and leave a legacy of aid to her 
community. Jackie Joyner-Kersee, is an Olympic Champion who continues 
to make history with her remarkable athletic achievements. 
Nevertheless, it is her current work that has fueled her pride that she 
is actively giving back to communities across America.
  In 1989, Joyner-Kersee founded the JJK Foundation which provides 
grants for leadership training for individuals in urban cities. One of 
her chief goals is to eventually provide a Youth Center to her home 
town community of East St. Louis, Illinois. She says she hopes to show 
that while:
  There is discrimination. I know there is racism. There are things we 
don't have control over. But we do have control over our dreams and 
goals.
  I hope we will all take time this month and throughout the year to 
recognize the many diverse contributions of African-Americans to our 
Nation's history. In so many ways, the qualities that all Americans 
hold dear such as strength, perseverance, ambition and integrity are 
evident in the lives of those African-Americans, and illustrate W.E.B. 
Dubois' belief that ``The guiding of thought: and the deft coordination 
of deed is at once the path of honor and humanity.''

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