[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E230-E231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am most pleased to 
join my colleagues and millions of Americans in commemorating African-
American History Month and particularly this year's theme ``Celebrating 
Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic 
Institutions''. This theme as announced by the Association for the 
Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH) is most appropriate and 
timely as we enter a new millennium and hopefully a new and even 
brighter era of African-American progress.
  Mr. President, I rise today to recognize February as Black History 
Month and to honor the rich cultural heritage of African-Americans in 
Dallas and my State of Texas. In the arts or letters, history, 
business, sport, or education, Greater Metroplex's African-American 
community has made a significant and lasting impact on our Nation's 
culture.
  This evening, in honor of Black History Month, I would like to call 
the House's attention to four distinguished African-Americans entities 
that made major contributions to my congressional district, city of 
Dallas as well as the State and our country.
  First, Mr. President, I would call your attention to Dallas Black 
Dance Theatre celebrates its 29th season as the oldest, continuously 
operating professional dance company in Dallas. The ensemble, a 
contemporary modern dance company, consists of 14 professional dancers 
performing a mixed repertory of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual 
works by nationally and internationally known choreographers which 
include: Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Alonzo King, Milton 
Myers, Elisa Monte, Donald McKayle, Kevin Jeff, Christopher Huggins, 
Jessica Lang, Bruce Wood, David Parsons and Darryl Sneed. The company 
and company's dancers have studied, trained and performed with some of 
the pre-eminent performers and teachers in the American dance world.
  Second, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the African American 
Museum which has more than 25 years, has stood as a cultural beacon in 
Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Started in 1974 as a part of 
the Bishop College Special Collection, the Museum has operated 
independently since 1979.
  The African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern 
United States devoted to the preservation and display of African 
American artistic, cultural and historical materials. It also has one 
of the largest African American folk art collections in the United 
States. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of 
visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African 
American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas.
  The main objective of the Museum is the presentation of meaningful 
experiences for children and adults who would not ordinarily visit a 
museum. The rich heritage of black art and history is housed in four 
vaulted galleries, augmented by a research library. Living African 
American culture is experienced through entertaining and educational 
programs presented in the theater, studio arts area and classrooms. The 
Museum's permanent collections include African art; African American 
fine art; magazine, historical, political and community archives.
  Third, I would like to recognize the Black Academy of Arts and 
Letters, Inc. (TBAAL) is a Dallas-based multi-disciplined cultural arts 
institution. TBAAL's primary objectives have been to stimulate an 
increased awareness of Black artistic accomplishments rooted in the 
African culture among the races; to honor those who have made 
significant and continuing contributions in the arts and letters of the 
past and present and; to identify, encourage and support young, 
promising talented artists and scholars in Black arts and letters.
  After more than two decades of producing and presenting programs in 
music, theater, dance, film, television and video, literature and 
visual arts throughout the United States, TBAAL has continued to create 
strong ties among many emerging and well known artists and scholars. In 
the organization's early history (1977), it established a professional 
Resident Touring Company called the Third World Players. Renowned 
actress Regina Taylor was a member of that company in 1978 and other

[[Page E231]]

artists such as Erykah Badu are a product of the Academy.
  The `cultural icon' of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, TBAAL presents and 
produces exciting cultural arts programs annually in dance, theatre, 
music, literary, fine, and visual arts. Local and emerging artists 
participate in TBAAL programs, and noted artists and celebrities have 
participated such as: Oleta Adams, Debbie Allen, Maya Angelou, Roy 
Ayers, Akin Babatunde, Obba Babatunde, Erykah Badu, Romare Bearden, The 
Barrett Sisters, Angela Bofill, Avery Brooks, Cab Calloway, Bill Cosby, 
Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis*, Mari Evans, Antonio Fargas, Kim Fields, Lou 
Gossett, William Greaves, Alex Haley, Irma P. Hall, Tramaine Hawkins, 
Jennifer Holliday, Linda Hopkins, Kim Jordan, Ella Joyce, Eartha Kitt, 
Dr. C. Eric Lincoln, Les McCann, Barbara McNair, Garrett Morris, Roger 
Mosley, Tyler Perry, Florence Quivar, Phylicia Rashad, Dan Rather, 
Esther Rolle, Sonia Sanchez, Karen Clark-Sheard, KiKi Shephard, Carole 
Simpson, Mavis Staples, Glenn Turman, Cicely Tyson, Albertina Walker, 
Margaret Walker*, Dionne Warwick, Lillias White, Hal Williams, Nancy 
Wilson, Vickie Winans, the late James Cleveland and many more.

  TBAAL is the only African-American multi-disciplined cultural arts 
organization in the country housed inside a major convention center, 
which increases the awareness of African American cultural history.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I like to recognize the Dallas Youth Council of 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 
The purpose of the Youth Council is to inform youth of the problems 
affecting Black people and other minority groups as well as work 
towards those measures to advance the economic, educational, social, 
and political status of African Americans and other minority groups and 
to stimulate an appreciation of the African American contribution to 
civilization. I commend Bosha Jagers, President, Tayana White, 1st Vice 
President, Crystal Armstrong, 2nd Vice President; Danielle Whyte, 
Secretary; Nucleous Johnson, Treasurer and Linda Darden-Lydia, Youth 
Advisor for their hard work in my district towards betterment of 
younger generation.
  Let me just say in closing, that Black History Month should be a time 
for reflection and appreciation; a time to reflect on the 
accomplishments of African-Americans throughout this country and 
throughout our history, accomplishments that often were made in the 
face of racism, of poverty, and unequal opportunity. It should be a 
time to increase our awareness and understanding of African-American 
history and culture, and a time to reaffirm our understanding of our 
rich cultural diversity, our commitment to social equality, and our 
support of racial justice.

                          ____________________