[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 108 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MS. BARBARA KUKLA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 13, 2004

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Barbara Kukla, 
an outstanding member of my community who has been the lifeblood of the 
community spirit and cultural vitality of my hometown of Newark.
  She is a writer, a journalist, a historian, a mentor, and was the 
award-winning Star-Ledger Editor of ``Newark This Week,'' a 4-page 
weekly section that highlighted events important to original Newarkers, 
helping to make local events more successful and creating a community 
meeting place for all our citizens. Barbara's thorough and sustaining 
coverage of Newark news generated public interest in local events, 
contributing greatly to the growth and development of our city.
  Her love for Newark is not only limited to current events, but 
includes its rich past. She shared a great friendship with Miss 
Rhapsody, a legendary Newark jazz singer, who introduced her to many 
local musicians and piqued her interest in the thriving music scene. 
Barbara's involvement led to countless hours of research and writing, 
establishing her as the preeminent historian on Newark's prominence 
from the 1920s to the present, and inspiring her first book, Swing 
City. Her second book, Defying the Odds, follows the lives of eight of 
Newark's most distinguished women, and includes the biographies of 180 
others.
  Among her many honors, Barbara has received a Recognition Award from 
the Newark Preservation & Landmarks Committee, the Newark Community 
Development Network's Charles E. Cummings Award, the Newark Do 
Something's Lifetime Award for Community Leadership, the Metropolitan 
Baptist Church of Newark's Living Legend Award, and the John Cotton 
Dana Distinguished Lecturer Award, named after the founder of the 
Newark Museum and Library.
  In support of the Barbara Kukla Scholarship Fund, Barbara will be 
hosting Newark Stars on Parade for Newark Students, a star-studded 
event which will feature a wide-ranging array of music by artists who 
were either born in Newark or have long-time ties to our city. Stars 
such as Gloria Gaynor, Melba Moore, the Monotones, Drinkard Singers II, 
Yvette Glover, the South Side High School Madrigals, Robert Banks, 
Carrie Smith, Kevin Maynor, Don Williams and Lady CiCi, Gwen Moten, BJ 
Plus Forty, Pam Purvis and Bob Ackerman, Carrie Jackson, and Gil 
``Bebop'' Benson will all be on hand to showcase their musical talent 
in support of our students. The proceeds from this extravaganza will be 
used to provide college scholarships for Newark high school graduates 
and to aid others who are struggling to stay in school.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending my thanks to my neighbor, 
Ms. Barbara Kukla, for her contributions to the civic and cultural life 
of our community, and I invite my colleagues to join me in sending our 
congratulations for her outstanding achievements which celebrate what 
is best and brightest about our city, and have brought such positive 
recognition to the city of Newark.

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