[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MS. GLORIA DENARD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
during this month dedicated to the celebration of African Americans who 
have made great contributions to the world, to pay tribute to Ms. 
Gloria Denard, an accomplished musician who has helped to improve the 
quality of life for the people of her community.
  Born into a family of musicians and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant 
neighborhood of Brooklyn, Gloria was destined to be a great musician 
herself. Under the tutelage of her mother, she began her musical 
training at the tender age of three. Later in life, she studied at 
Julliard where she concentrated on classical music and majored in voice 
with a piano minor.
  After Julliard, Gloria married and moved to East Harlem. She 
performed nationally and internationally, including stints in Italy, 
Bermuda, Greenland and Canada.
  Although she enjoyed great success as a musician, Gloria was consumed 
by the desire to improve the quality of life of the people in her 
community. To that end, she established Manna House Workshops to serve 
the social and cultural needs of her talented neighbors. Gloria, who by 
this time had two children, worked without salary and maintained a 
staff of six teachers. In 1970 she decided to purchase a five story 
building and establish the current home of Manna House Workshops. After 
38 years of service, Manna House Workshops continues to serve as a 
bright beacon of hope in its community, providing training in music and 
dance to all who enter their doors.
  In 1980, Gloria conceived Music for Entertainment Education and 
Enlightenment (MEEE), a jazz concert series featuring emerging and 
professional artists presented in the Manna Mini Theatre. In addition, 
she has maintained her own vocal career and has released two CDs 
including ``Come Feel the Things You Cannot Touch'' and ``Two for 
Jazz''. An additional CD will be released in March of this year. She 
also produces and hosts a cable show every month entitled ``The Best 
Kept Secret'' on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.
  Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to discuss the contributions of African 
Americans to the history of the world and not mention the great 
influence they have had upon music. Often great beauty comes from great 
pain and suffering. It was this sacred art that helped so many find 
light in times of darkness and peace in times of stifling oppression. 
From gospel to blues to jazz, and most recently, hip hop, African 
Americans have not only provided the world with new forms of 
entertainment, but have found a way to provide insight into their 
struggles and aspirations. A student of this art, Gloria teaches music 
to the next generation, hoping to instill in them a sense of self 
confidence and pride so that they may one day share their gifts with 
the world.
  For her beautiful voice and spirit, and her willingness to help 
others find their own voice, I ask that my colleagues join me in paying 
tribute to Ms. Gloria Denard, and the countless African Americans who 
came before her and enabled her to find her own voice.