[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1106-E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HARRY BELAFONTE RECEIVING THE GLOBAL EXCHANGE HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Belafonte both a 
friend and mentor as he receives the Global Exchange Human Rights 
Award. I share his passion for civil rights, social justice, peace, 
lifting the embargo on Cuba, and eradicating poverty both abroad and at 
home.
  Recently, I introduced legislation to create a national Caribbean-
American Heritage Month, and Mr. Belafonte was a primary influence in 
developing this legislation. Born in New York, but raised in Jamaica, 
Mr. Belafonte served our country and beyond in many ways; throughout 
his career, Mr. Belafonte has worked to unite the international 
community for just causes.
  When people think of Mr. Belafonte, they may remember him for his 
album Calypso being the first to sell over 1 million copies with his 
hit the Banana Boat, or they may reminisce of his scenes as the co-star 
in the historic adaptation of Bizet's opera, ``Carmen'' titled ``Carmen 
Jones.''
  Many will recall Mr. Belafonte marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther 
King and leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King was later to 
say, ``Belafonte's global popularity and his commitment to our cause is 
a key ingredient to the global struggle for freedom and a powerful 
tactical weapon in the Civil Rights movement here in America.''
  Belafonte was named to the Board of Directors of the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and at Dr. King's death, he 
became one of three executors of the great leader's estate. I commend 
him for his tireless efforts in championing the rights of people here 
in the United States and beyond.
  Showing that his talents were not limited to making history in just 
music and politics, Mr. Belafonte became the first African-American 
producer in television. His company went on to produce one Emmy-
nominated success after another for the three major networks--``The 
Strollin' Twenties,'' written by the famed author Langston Hughes, 
starring such great performers as Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, 
Sammy Davis, Jr. and Duke Ellington and ``A Time for Laughter,'' 
featuring Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley and Pigmeat Markham. 
The format of this special set became the model for the TV comedy 
series, ``Laugh-In.''
  In 1960 he was named by President John F. Kennedy as cultural advisor 
to the Peace Corps; this position inspired Mr. Belafonte's development 
of our similar passion for the people of the African continent. Twenty-
five years later, Mr. Belafonte won an Emmy for the all-star We Are the 
World video, calling global attention to war and famine crises 
throughout Africa.
  Two years later, he was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, only 
the second American to hold that title. In this capacity, Mr. Belafonte 
created an historic symposium in Dakar, Senegal for the immunization of 
African children. The positive response to this symposium led to a 
successful campaign

[[Page E1107]]

for the eradication of curable diseases among African children. This 
work was continued in a convention called ``Children of the Front 
Line'' in Harare, Zimbabwe. As part of this effort, with the largest 
concentration of African artists ever assembled, Mr. Belafonte 
performed a concert benefiting UNICEF.
  Mr. Speaker, there is much more that I would like to share about this 
living legend who has left a mark on our world. Clearly, Mr. Belafonte 
is laudable recipient of this award, which highlights his contributions 
toward securing human rights and freedoms locally and throughout the 
world. Most importantly, I am proud and honored to call ``Harry'' my 
friend.
  I thank you for giving me the opportunity to honor Mr. Belafonte, a 
World War II veteran, musician, visionary, activist, and my brother, in 
the struggle for social justice and peace.

                          ____________________