[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E247-E248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JESSE OWENS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
very special person, athlete, and role model in African-American 
history: Jesse Owens. Born ``James Cleveland,'' Jesse Owens was the son 
of a sharecropper and the grandson of a slave. He was born into a 
modest household in Alabama, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, with his 
family at the age of nine in hopes of finding better employment for his 
father. During his first day of school in Cleveland, his teacher 
mistook his name to be ``Jesse''; and that nickname stayed with him for 
the rest of his life.
  Jesse went on to attend East Technical High School in Cleveland, 
where his natural talent for running was immediately recognized by the 
school's track coach. Jesse was unable to attend after-school track 
practices because of the numerous jobs he held on the side, including 
delivering groceries, loading freight cars, and working in a shoe 
repair shop. Realizing Jesse's abilities, the track coach agreed to 
meet with Jesse before school. With the refining of his natural talent, 
Jesse was able to set world records in high school for the 100-yard 
dash, 220-yard dash, and broad jump.

  After being aggressively recruited by top universities, Jesse chose 
to attend the Ohio State University to continue his athletic and 
academic career. As Ohio State did not give out track scholarships at 
this time, Jesse continued to work several part-time jobs to provide 
for his education, himself, and his wife, Ruth. He juggled his 
employment with his studies and an intense practice and competition 
schedule. Jesse continued to excel in track and field, despite the 
discrimination and segregation he faced on a daily basis. He was forced 
to live off-campus in housing designated for African-American athletes, 
and he was not allowed to eat with the rest of his teammates when they 
were on the road and ate at ``whites only'' restaurants.
  Overcoming all of these obstacles, Jesse continued his record-setting 
career in his first year in college, as he set world records for the 
220-yard dash, the 220-yard low hurdles, and the broad jump and tied 
the world record for the 100-yard dash. Prior to his record-breaking 
broad jump, Jesse boldly tied a handkerchief at the height of the 
previous world record and then confidently jumped an entire six inches 
above it.
  Wanting to take his competitive skills to the next level, Jesse 
entered the 1936 Olympics, which were to be held in Berlin, Germany 
during the reign Adolf Hitler. Jesse was used to the discrimination he 
felt at home and was determined to show Hitler's Germany, and the 
world, that there was no such thing as a ``dominant race.'' He did just 
that. Jesse swept the competition by winning the 100-meter dash, the 
200-meter dash, and the broad jump. He was also a member of the gold 
medal-winning 400-meter relay team and set three world records during 
the competition. His performance placed him permanently in the history 
books as the first American to win four track and field gold medals in 
a single Olympics. Perhaps more importantly, Jesse's unprecedented 
performance caused many people around the world to reconsider their 
notions of race and capabilities.

  Unfortunately, when Jesse arrived home to the United States, the 
racial barriers that he left were still in place. ``I wasn't invited to 
shake hands with Hitler, but I wasn't invited to the White House to 
shake hands with the President, either,'' he said. Showing his grace 
and class, Jesse did not turn bitter, but rather

[[Page E248]]

went on to become a public speaker and advocate for youth sports 
programs in disadvantaged neighborhoods. His humanitarian efforts were 
not carried out in vain, as he was awarded the Medal of Freedom from 
President Gerald Ford in 1976, the highest honor a U.S. civilian may 
receive.
  On March 31, 1980, Jesse Owens passed away after a battle with lung 
cancer. He left behind his wife and three daughters, numerous world 
records, and a legendary performance in Germany that reshaped the 
world's notions of race. He gave America hope during a time when 
America gave him a seat in the ``blacks only'' restaurant and a place 
to stand on the bus. During this month in which we honor Black History 
and the significant achievements of African Americans, it is proper and 
fitting that we recognize Jesse Owens as a champion of track and field 
and, more importantly, humanity.

                          ____________________