[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROSEWOOD (FLORIDA) SURVIVORS FAMILY

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                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the proud 
heirs of the Rosewood (Florida) Survivors Family. On July 22 through 
July 29, 1999 the descendants will gather together for their first 
historic reunion in Miami-Dade County. I am extremely delighted that 
they are celebrating this historic occasion in our community. The John 
Wesley Bradley-Ruth Lee Davis Chapter of the Rosewood Survivors will 
host this gathering.
  Some 76 years ago as the glow of a New Year ushered in 1923, the 
early mists of dawn enveloped the town of Rosewood, promising a 
beautiful, cold morning over what was then a thriving Black community, 
just off Florida's West Coast. Little did those proud residents know 
when the serenity of their little town was soon transformed into a 
cataclysmic scene of terror perpetrated by hordes of angry vigilantes 
who literally torched every home, killing every Black resident in 
sight.
  This killing rampage was perpetrated for seven harrowing days and 
reduced Rosewood into a smoldering pit of ashes--all because of the 
allegation that one married White woman, Fanny Taylor, sought to 
conceal her indiscretions by accusing a Black man of assaulting her. 
This happened at a time when the Jim Crow mentality possessed many of 
the men from the nearby Florida town of Sumner and its environs. 
Obsessed by an ambience of revenge and utmost brutality, the vigilantes 
transformed Rosewood into a virtual killing field. There were reports 
among survivors that a mass grave was hastily dug for the victims.
  This episode was literally consigned to the dustbins of the past, and 
soon became Florida's dark and well-kept secret. In fact, Rosewood was 
virtually wiped off the map of Florida at the time. Many years would 
pass hence before the story of the Rosewood massacre was unfolded. It 
was not until 1992-1995 when the Florida Legislature, under the 
leadership of State Representatives Al Lawson and Miguel de Grandy, 
along with then-State Representative Kendrick Meek, resurrected the 
Rosewood massacre by recognizing this part of the state's ignominious 
past and thereby authorized its historical imprimatur. The testimony 
culled from the courage and resilience of two of the survivors provided 
the compelling evidence that would bring to light this particular shame 
in Florida's history.
  Spurred by this legislative action, the Rosewood massacre was 
subsequently brought to our national consciousness through its airing 
on CBS' ``60-Minutes.'' To add insult to this tragedy, however, those 
who unleashed the destruction of Rosewood and the murder of its Black 
residents were never charged. In 1993 the hearings on Rosewood 
concluded that the persons responsible for this tragedy were never 
apprehended. It lamely declared that the perpetrators were probably 
dead. Subsequently, the Florida Legislature approved a mere pittance to 
compensate the Rosewood survivors.
  Mr. Speaker, I want you to know that the horrible feelings of 
disenfranchisement suffered by the survivors and their families 
throughout these 70-plus years continue to this very day to sear their 
memories. On the other hand, I am also cognizant of the depth of their 
genuine faith that gives them their renewed strength and hope.
  I rest assured that this Rosewood Survivors Family Reunion will once 
again buttress the foundation upon which the members and their 
descendants will pass along and recount their collective experiences, 
following the spirit of that revered African Ashanti adage: ``* * * 
until the lions get their own historian, the story of the hunt will 
always glorify the hunter.''
  Despite overwhelming odds, they have truly dared to pull themselves 
up together again, much more determined to be stronger than ever 
before. They will remind themselves of their unique role in keeping 
alive the legacy of Florida's shameful past in hopes that, through 
their courage and vigilance, the specter of the Rosewood massacre will 
never happen again.




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