[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF GORDON PARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, as St. Paul and our Nation 
say goodbye to a legend this month, I rise to lend my support to House 
Resolution 720, a resolution to honor the life of Gordon Roger 
Alexander Buchanan Parks. I hope that the House will soon consider this 
important resolution. Gordon Parks passed away on March 7, 2006 at the 
age of 93 after a courageous battle with cancer. With strong Minnesota 
ties, Mr. Parks became a world-famous photographer, filmmaker, and 
music composer. His work and life are an inspiration to artists and art 
lovers, and the people of St. Paul will be forever grateful for his 
contributions.
  Mr. Gordon Parks will be remembered as an African American pioneer 
who used his experiences as a black man to create some of the 20th 
century's most powerful images for social justice. Mr. Parks was born 
in 1912, 1 of 15 children. He spent his young adulthood in St. Paul, 
where he developed his skills as an artist. Parks earned his first 
professional photojournalist jobs with the Saint Paul Recorder and the 
Minneapolis Spokesman, which served as catalysts for the great work by 
the beloved artist we recognize today.
  Mr. Parks was a true pioneer. He was the first African American to 
work as a photojournalist for Life and Vogue magazines. As a 
trailblazing filmmaker, Mr. Parks was the first African American to 
write, score, and direct a Hollywood movie, ``The Learning Tree.'' Mr. 
Parks was part of a generation of African Americans who directed and 
produced films that starred African Americans, like the film ``Shaft.'' 
He was also committed to documenting poverty and racial injustice. Mr. 
Parks used the medium of film to tell the story of the black 
experience.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Gordon Parks, an 
artist who taught us about human dignity and the African American 
experience. St. Paul will always remember him for his many artistic 
contributions.

                          ____________________