[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                              GORDON PARKS

 Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, today I rise to honor the great 
life and many artistic contributions of Kansas native Gordon Parks who 
died Tuesday at the age of 93.
  Through his poetry, books, music and photography, Mr. Parks showed 
America a truth about its society and challenged all of us to make the 
country a better place.
  Born in Fort Scott, KS, in 1912, Mr. Parks's family faced both 
poverty and discrimination. Yet in spite of these challenges--and 
inspired by these challenges--Mr. Parks rose to the heights of success 
through his largely self-taught artistic ability. He found his life 
experiences helped shape his art as he chronicled the African-American 
experience.
  In 1937, Mr. Parks bought his first camera. By 1948, he was hired at 
Life Magazine. There, he earned his reputation as a humanitarian 
photojournalist capturing images of the civil rights movement and of 
the poverty in America and abroad. Through his photographs he reminded 
Americans of the harsh realities present in our culture.
  In 1968, he directed the movie version of his childhood memoir, ``The 
Learning Tree.'' His direction of ``The Learning Tree'' also marked the 
first time an African American directed a major Hollywood production. 
He won an Emmy for his documentary ``Diary of a Harlem Family,'' and in 
1971 directed the critically acclaimed movie ``Shaft.'' He is also 
known for composing the musical score for ``Martin,'' a ballet 
documenting the life of civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Jr. In 
1970, he helped found Essence magazine.
  Kansas is forever grateful for his talents. In 1986, he was named 
Kansan of the Year. In 1999, Kansas City opened the Gordon Parks 
Elementary School. And most recently, in February, the University of 
Kansas's William Allen White Foundation honored Mr. Parks with its 
National Citation for journalistic merit.
  Mr. Parks showed unrelenting spirit in his work. His civil rights 
contributions, as told through his art will go unmatched. Today, we 
proudly honor a remarkable artist and pioneer for all he did for Kansas 
and the Nation. 

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