[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 102 (Wednesday, September 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1401-E1402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LeBARON TAYLOR--A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2000

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, next week the Congressional Black Caucus 
Foundation will host its 30th Annual Legislative Weekend. For the first 
time in the history of this event, we will be without our beloved 
friend, and former CBC Foundation Chairman and board member, H. LeBaron 
Taylor. LeBaron died from cardiac arrest on July 19th.
  LeBaron was both Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Sony 
Music Entertainment and Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Sony 
Software Corporation. His responsibilities ranged from government and 
public affairs issues to corporate responsibilities including equal 
opportunity employment and minority development and corporate 
philanthropy. LeBaron's impact on the entertainment industry, however, 
far exceed his formal titles or positions within the Sony corporate 
structure.
  From his entry in the music industry as a broadcast engineer as well 
as an on-air personality and program director at WCHB in Detroit to a 
stint as station manager at WDAS in Philadelphia to his move into the 
record business with the creation of Revilot Records in 1967, LeBaron 
was a pioneer in the promotion of Black music. He would later move to 
Atlantic Records in New York City before joining CBS Records in 1974. 
Black Enterprise magazine noted that LeBaron ``defined black music in 
the '70's.''
  LeBaron's unique relationships with artists led to his position with 
CBS Records as the head of their marketing department for Black music. 
Under his leadership, CBS Records' Black music Marketing department 
became the model for the entire industry. Three years later, he became 
the company's first vice president of Black Music Marketing, with the 
added responsibility of Jazz/Progressive Music Marketing. LeBaron was 
recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the ``Top 50 Black American 
Executives in Corporate America'' and, most recently, as one of the top 
Blacks in the entertainment industry.
  Throughout his career, he received numerous awards for his public 
service activities and his pioneering efforts in Black music marketing. 
A two-time recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus Chair Award, 
LeBaron also received the Chairman's Humanitarian Award from 
TransAfrica Forum; the NAACP Corporate Image Award; and awards from the 
National Urban League; the National Association of Black Owned 
Broadcasters; The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Hall of Fame, 
the White House Conference on Small Business and The Business Policy 
Review Council among many others that are too numerous to mention. His 
civic activities included board membership with organizations such as 
the CBC Foundation, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies 
Board of Governors and the Rhythm & Blues Foundation.
  Characteristically, the accomplishment of which LeBaron was most 
proud was his recognition by the Black Employees Organization of CBS 
Inc. for mentoring and fostering the growth and development of 
minorities within the company.
  A native of Detroit, LeBaron graduated from Wayne State University 
and recently was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Miles 
College in Fairfield, Alabama. He was also a board member of the Grand 
Boule Foundation of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and chaired its Social 
Action Committee. He is survived by his wife, Kay Loverlace Taylor, 
Ed.D. and four children: Eric and Tiffani from his first marriage and 
his stepchildren, Laura and Jason, from his second marriage. His first 
wife, Yvonne passed away in January of 1997.
  The CBC Foundation's Annual Legislative Weekend will be forever 
changed by the absence of LeBaron Taylor not only because of his 
dedication to our Weekend's activities, but also because of his lasting 
contributions to the public service work of the Foundation, his 
friendship and support for CBC Members and his contributions to the 
Black music industry.

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