[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WILLIS EDWARDS, RECIPIENT OF CHRISTOPHER AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DIANE E. WATSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2003

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and 
share the news that a good friend and colleague of mine, Mr. Willis 
Edwards, received a prestigious Christopher Award for his work as an 
Executive Director of the film, The Rosa Parks Story. The awards 
ceremony was held last month, on February 27th, in New York City.
  The Rosa Parks Story stars Angela Bassett, Cicely Tyson and Dexter 
Scott King, the son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The film brings to 
life the peaceful dissent an exhausted Rosa Parks showed on a crowded 
Montgomery, Alabama bus, in 1955, and the Civil Rights Movement that 
ensued. The movie originally aired on television on February 24, 2002.
  It is difficult for African American actors, directors and others in 
the industry to receive recognition for their hard work in the 
entertainment industry. I am pleased that the Christopher was able to 
recognize and acknowledge the outstanding performance and talent of Mr. 
Edwards as well as others involved in the film.
  I was honored to host a congressional screening of the film, The Rosa 
Parks Story, last year prior to the film's television debut. I had the 
good fortune then of meeting Ms. Angela Bassett, Ms. Cicely Tyson, Ms. 
Julie Dash and many others who were instrumental in the success of this 
movie. Ms. Julie Dash was nominated for a prestigious Director's Guild 
of America Award earlier this year for her work directing the film.
  The film received two nominations for an NAACP Image Award for 
Outstanding Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special, and for 
Ms. Angela Bassett's performance as Ms. Rosa Parks.
  This film has held meaning and significance for me personally, and it 
brings me great joy to see Mr. Willis Edwards' work acknowledged with a 
Christopher Award.

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