[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LATE OSSIE DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                  in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2005

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 
life of the great Ossie Davis. It a fitting time to pay tribute to this 
exemplary African American as February is African-American History 
month. Ossie Davis was a constituent and someone whose counsel I came 
to value over the past many years. Sadly, he has just passed away.
  Just last December I saw Ossie Davis when he was being honored at the 
Kennedy Center in Washington for his life and career. I made a point of 
going that night so that I too could honor him. It was a fitting 
tribute to a man I first saw perform on Broadway when I was a child. 
Years later, I was thrilled to meet him and be his Representative in 
Congress.
  Ossie Davis made significant contributions to our culture through his 
talented work in film and his noble involvement in civil rights issues 
and efforts to promote the cause of African Americans in the 
entertainment industry. A resident of Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle in 
New York, he wrote, acted, directed, and produced for the theatre and 
Hollywood, and was a central figure among black performers of the last 
five decades.
  In 1963, Davis participated in the landmark civil rights 
demonstration, the March on Washington. Two years later, he delivered a 
memorable eulogy for his slain friend, civil rights leader Malcolm X. 
Davis also left behind a vast body of work in film. He starred in such 
movies as The Joe Louis Story, Slaves, Let's Do It Again, Grumpy Old 
Men and Dr. Dolittle, as well as Spike Lee's School Daze, Do the Right 
Thing, and Jungle Fever. As a director, he is probably best remembered 
for 1970's gritty Cotton Comes to Harlem, a precursor to the 
blaxploitation films of the decade, and 1973's Gordon's War.
  I am also pleased to be a cosponsor of a resolution that honors the 
great life and work of the great Ossie Davis. Through his talents and 
dedication, Ossie Davis, like many other African Americans, has left 
his mark as a positive leader in his community and significant 
contributor to our culture.
  As we reflect on the contributions of innumerable African-Americans 
during this month, I want to commend his work and his life to my 
colleagues. I have lost a valued constituent and America has lost a 
great leader and entertainer.

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