[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1616-E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HARLEM WEEK 2005: THE LEGACY CONTINUES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 31st anniversary 
of a series of festivities honoring the wonders of Harlem, my home 
community which I am privileged to represent in the Congress. Harlem 
Week 2005 is a cultural, educational, and entertaining series of 
activities designed to highlight the history, traditions, and future of 
the Harlem community that has grown from its modest beginnings to 
become a major attraction for the residents of the community and 
thousands of visitors annually.
  A lifelong resident of Harlem, I have long been proud of the many 
facets of my community. From the music and arts of the Harlem community 
to the politics and strategies of Harlem's activists and leaders, this 
is a community that is rich in diversity, entertainment, culture, and 
love. It is a community that embraces its differences and its 
commonalities in order to represent the rainbow of beauty and culture 
that characterizes our great city of New York.
  Harlem Week is a celebration of this embrace. It is a time for the 
community and the families that make up that community to come 
together, to be exposed to their variety of traditions and customs, and 
to affirm their individual identities as well as their American 
consciousness. This community will always, in my mind, represent the 
essence of America. And, during Harlem Week, we pay tribute to the soul 
of America.
  Harlem Week is not simply a series of festivities and parties. It is 
an educational experience where individuals are taught to appreciate 
the arts and the history of the community. This summer, in theatrical 
performances, dance exhibitions, story-tellings, and other artistic 
expressions, the Harlem community will come alive in recognizing its 
rich and beautiful cultural attributes. The accomplishments and history 
of the African-American cinema will be highlighted alongside a 
celebration of Jazz and music that has originated in Harlem. Harlem 
will applaud the history of a diverse community that has struggled with 
the soul and legacy of generations of Americans.
  Harlem Week is also a family event. Children of all ages will be 
entertained throughout this recognition of the wonder and cultural 
diversity of Harlem. Petting zoos, story-tellers, fashion shows, and 
interactive arts--all with an emphasis on achievement and education--
will be displayed throughout the events of Harlem.
  This year, attendees will also be exposed to the diverse sports and 
entertainment heritage of Harlem. The National Black Sports & 
Entertainment Hall of Fame will induct such entertainment luminaries as 
Phylicia Rashad, Bonnie Raitt, Marian Anderson, Alvin Ailey, Pearl 
Bailey, Ray Baretto, Donald Byrd, Kenny Gamble, Frankie Crocker, 
Symphony Sid, and Tito Rodriguez. Sports stars such as John Chaney, 
Fritz Pollard, Rafer Johnson, Lou Carneseca, Zina Garrison, Jack 
Johnson, Elston Howard, Johnny Sample, and Al Maguire will also be 
inducted in the Hall of Fame.
  Harlem Week 2005 promises to be one of the best celebrations of the 
vitality of the Harlem community this year. It will be an important 
celebration of the soul of America and the community that has long 
nurtured that soul. This celebration, exposure, and education of the 
community will truly be instrumental in understanding and appreciating 
the beauty of the Harlem community.
  As always, I welcome the Members of this Congress, as well as all 
citizens of these United States of America, to join me and the Harlem 
community during Harlem Week 2005. You will not regret your time there. 
I submit for the Record the calendar of events for Harlem Week and I 
look forward to seeing you in Harlem.

                 Harlem Week 2005: The Legacy Continues


    New York's Premiere Festival Continues to Celebrate Decades of 
                           Community Service

       June 29, 2005 (Harlem, USA)--Back by popular demand, HARLEM 
     WEEK, which celebrates its 31st Anniversary, returns with a

[[Page E1617]]

     spectacular line up of exciting events, outdoor activities, 
     concerts, and fun for the entire family. Themed ``The Legacy 
     Continues'', the culturally-rich affair swung into gear on 
     Wednesday, July 13, as Mayor Bloomberg and the city of New 
     York paid tribute to HARLEM WEEK, with a special private 
     celebration and concert at Gracie Mansion. The festive affair 
     will include a special harmonious presentation from the hit 
     musical, ``Three Mo' Tenors'', along with soulful, rhythmic 
     selections from Ron Anderson and the Harlem Jazz & Music 
     Festival All Stars.
       On Sunday, July 31st, HARLEM WEEK salutes the grand village 
     of Harlem during its ``Great Day in Harlem'' celebration at 
     Ulysses S. Grant National Memorial Park, 122nd Street and 
     Riverside Drive. This all-day, three-part affair opens with 
     the ``Family Unity Day Cultural Festival'' at 1:00 p.m., 
     featuring family-oriented outdoor activities including 
     theatrical excerpts, dance performances, story-telling, 
     spoken word, and more. The celebration continues with the 
     Harlem Jazz & Music Festival's fashion extravaganza, 
     featuring the latest, cutting-edge creations and accessories 
     from emerging and leading urban designers. Runway activities 
     begin at 5:00 p.m. The festive day will end with the annual 
     Concert Under the Stars. The Harlem Jazz & Music Festival and 
     WBLS FM invites the entire family to join them for this 
     enchanting moonlit night of great music as Meli'sa Morgan, 
     Layla Hathaway, Freddie Jackson, the Alvin Ailey Dance 
     Theater and other surprise guests pay homage to Harlem's 
     legacy. This spectacular affair, sponsored by Time Warner and 
     Citibank, runs from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
       From August 2nd-6th, EBONY Magazine, in concert with HARLEM 
     WEEK, presents Hollywood in Harlem. This annual four day 
     affair, which celebrates the accomplishments and history of 
     African-Americans in cinema, will take place at various 
     venues in the Harlem community. On each evening, there will 
     be a VIP reception, film screenings, and award presentations. 
     With this event, EBONY continues a 60 year tradition of 
     giving recognition to African-American actors, actresses, and 
     filmmakers.
       On August 20th and 21st, HARLEM WEEK invites everyone to 
     come to uptown New York and take part in one of the city's 
     most exciting weekends, beginning on Saturday, August 20th, 
     with the annual ``Uptown Saturday Nite'' music festival. This 
     all-day celebration consists of a plethora of exciting events 
     as attendees take to the streets throughout Harlem, enjoying 
     outdoor cultural arts, crafts, exotic foods and live 
     entertainment from a variety of stages along West 135th 
     Street (between Malcolm X Blvd and St. Nicholas Avenue). The 
     annual ``Flava'' fashion show burst onto the stage on Uptown 
     Saturday Nite, and concert acts will be provided by stations 
     Power 105, WKTU-FM, and Lite FM. Also taking place on August 
     20th is The Children's Festival which features such 
     activities as a petting zoos, story-tellers, and interactive 
     arts, all with a strong emphasis on education and 
     achievement, sponsored by Washington Mutual, The New York 
     Post, and WWRL 1600.
       Sunday, August 21st, is HARLEM DAY and the good times 
     continue to roll. The entertainment stages and the Children's 
     Festival remain on 135th Street along with the addition of 
     several exiting events: The Children's Festival adds a 
     fashion show featuring the hottest back-to-school fashions; 
     The 16th Annual Upper Manhattan Auto Show includes a display 
     of cars from antiques to 2005 preview models; students and 
     families discover college options and how to pay for them at 
     The National Historic Black College Fair & Expo; and The NYC 
     Health Fair & Expo features free health information and 
     screenings. Music and other entertainment will be courtesy of 
     Kiss-FM, Hot 97, & CD 101.9.
       On August 30th, the National Black Sports & Entertainment 
     Hall of Fame Induction Gala will be held, honoring both live 
     and posthumous luminaries in the fields of sports and 
     entertainment. This year's inductees in the area of 
     entertainment include Donald Byrd, Iman, Kenny Gamble & Leon 
     Huff; Phylicia Rashad, Ray Baretto, Bonnie Raitt, Frankie 
     Crocker, Marian Anderson, Alvin Ailey, Pearl Bailey, Symphony 
     Sid, and Tito Rodriguez. In the area of sports, inductees 
     include John Chaney, Fritz Pollard, Rafer Johnson, Lou 
     Carneseca, Zina Garrison, Jack Johnson, Elston Howard, Johnny 
     Sample and Al Maguire. Vignette tribute for various inductees 
     will air on WNBC-4 throughout the summer.
       If HARLEM WEEK only accomplished giving people a sense of 
     pride and enjoyment, that alone would be a worthy feat; 
     however, HARLEM WEEK does that while also addressing other 
     community needs. With the support of sponsors and elected 
     officials, HARLEM WEEK, Inc. has been a proponent for 
     advancing education by giving grants to educational 
     organizations, plus scholarships to thousands of students who 
     have worked diligently inside the classroom and outside in 
     the community. The relationship between those parties and 
     HARLEM WEEK has not only garnered higher enrollment, but also 
     provided internships and careers for students. Scholarships 
     and grants are presented at virtually every HARLEM WEEK, 
     Harlem Jazz & Music Festival, and National Black Sports & 
     Entertainment Hall of Fame event. HARLEM WEEK also hosts 
     events focused on economic development and on the welfare of 
     Senior Citizens. Perhaps this is why mayors, governors, 
     senators, members of congress, foreign leaders, and other 
     inspirational figures, have opted to address HARLEM WEEK 
     audiences over the years.
       The HARLEM WEEK's 31st Anniversary is a great celebration 
     of accomplishment through unity. Those unable to attend can 
     still partake in the festivities by listening to live radio 
     broadcasts on stations throughout the New York City area.
       HARLEM WEEK invites you to come discover the treasures of a 
     proud community. Discover Harlem. For further information 
     about the excitement and culture that is HARLEM WEEK, log on 
     to www.HarlemDiscover.com

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