[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E245-E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TO COMMEMORATE THE ISSUANCE OF THE MARIAN ANDERSON STAMP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2005

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
America's most shining and influential artists, Ms. Marian Anderson. 
The recent issuance of a commemorative stamp in her honor provides an 
opportunity to recognize her impressive achievements.
  Few musicians in history can claim the number of achievements Ms. 
Anderson can. As an opera singer, she proved to be among the world's 
best. Her range and ability to communicate a song's emotion were 
envied. Ms. Anderson often sang in the original language of

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the songs she performed, feeling that she would better connect with the 
native audience. By the end of her career she had performed in eight 
languages and traveled all over the world--living and studying for 
extended periods of time in Europe. Her voice graced President and Mrs. 
Roosevelt at the White House and the Inaugural ceremonies for 
Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. After hearing her, the world 
renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini commented that hers ``. . . is a 
voice one hears once in a hundred years.'' How true.
  During her life, Ms. Anderson witnessed and contributed to some of 
the greatest changes in history. She lived through two world wars, a 
depression, and the civil rights movement. As an African-American, 
female performer during a period of history in which that combination 
provided particular challenges, she overcame prejudice and social 
limitations. For example, she was the first black singer to perform on 
stage at the New York Metropolitan Opera House. One of her most notable 
concerts was on Easter morning on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. 
Broadcast nationwide via radio, Ms. Anderson sang before a crowd of 
over 75,000 and millions of listeners after she was prohibited from 
performing at Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the Revolution.
  In addition to receiving awards for her musical talent, like the 
Grammy Lifetime Achievement, she received numerous other honors for her 
commitment to peace and equality. She was appointed goodwill ambassador 
to Asia and a delegate to the United Nations. She received the Eleanor 
Roosevelt Human Rights Award, the United Nations Peace Prize, the 
NAACP's Sprigarn Medal for outstanding achievement by a black American, 
and the President's Medal of Freedom.
  Clearly, Marian Anderson had a resonating and inspiring voice with 
the heart and conviction to match. Ms. Anderson's voice was a vehicle 
of communication, and music her universal language. Hers' represented 
the voice of so many others who were unable to speak out against the 
injustices they faced.
  I am honored to celebrate the issuance of the Marian Anderson 
commemorative stamp today. Ms. Anderson is quite deserving of this 
recognition. In doing this we eternalize the courage, conviction, and 
talent of this remarkable woman.

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