[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PAUL ROBESON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Paul Robeson, accomplished 
scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, Rutgers University valedictorian, twice All-
American Football hero, graduated Columbia University Law School, 
practicing attorney, Shakespearian actor, and, for two decades, was 
considered one of the greatest baritones in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, on April 9th, thousands of his fans and admirers 
throughout the world will celebrate the 100th birthday of one of 
America's most gifted and accomplished individuals, Paul Robeson.
  For several years now, there have been efforts under way to try and 
have a commemorative stamp in his honor and bearing his name. For some 
reason, the Postal Service has not seen fit to do so. Therefore, I take 
this opportunity to ask the question, why, and urge the Postal Service 
to correct this oversight.
  Surely Paul Robeson fits the criteria. Dr. James Alsbrooks points out 
that various reference books refer to Mr. Robeson as an ``American 
Treasure'' and deserves respect. Among them are the World Book 
Encyclopedia, Britannica, Collier's Encyclopedia, and the Academic 
American Encyclopedia, which states that Paul Robeson was one of the 
most distinguished Americans of the 20th Century.
  In addition to his brilliant stage career, Robeson learned several 
foreign languages. He played the title role in the 1943 Broadway 
production of ``Othello,'' which ran a record 296 performances.
  In 1944, he was awarded the Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal 
for best diction in American Theater and the Donaldson Award for Best 
Actor. In the 1930s, Robeson spent a great deal of time in Europe and 
was deeply impressed by the Soviet Union and its seeming lack of racial 
prejudice.
  In 1939, he returned to the United States. He supported the American 
war effort during World War II and campaigned for the sale of war 
bonds.
  After the war, Paul Robeson became increasingly disillusioned with 
the treatment and status of blacks in American society. He became a 
spokesman on civil rights issues. In 1950, as a result of some pro-
Soviet Union statements, the State Department revoked his passport, 
charging him with pro-communist leanings. However, in 1958, the Supreme 
Court upheld his right to go abroad.
  Paul Robeson was what we today would call an activist-artist-scholar, 
who had a profound impact on forcing America to look at racism, 
classism, militarism and a concept of mass struggle. He was attacked 
relentlessly, brought before the House un-American Activities 
Committee, and hounded continuously by ultra right wing conservatives. 
However, Robeson continued to stand, fight, speak out and perform. He 
was indeed a tall tree in the American forest.

                              {time}  1830

  Given all of these accomplishments and all of these attributes, it is 
inconceivable that we could deny the placement of such an American on 
one of our postage stamps, especially given the fact that Bugs Bunny, 
Wolfman, Frankenstein, John Henry, Paul Bunyan and other symbols adorn 
these precious vehicles of communication.
  As we proceed to the 100th birthday of Paul Robeson, I urge the U.S. 
Times Postal Service to move expeditiously to correct the gross 
injustice, to correct and recognize the enormous contribution of one of 
our most gifted, most talented, and most impactful citizens. He stood 
for what America is destined to become: free, just and equal. Let us 
put him on a stamp.

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