[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E919-E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING BELLS FOR PEACE, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2007

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bells 
for Peace, Inc., a non-profit, charitable organization founded within 
my district in Richmond, Virginia. Bells for Peace is dedicated to 
enriching the history of Virginia Union University by restoring the 
University's prominent cornerstone, the Belgian Friendship Building and 
its Vann Memorial Tower.
  Bells for Peace was founded on December 8, 2004 in Richmond, Virginia 
by Mrs. Diane Watkins, its current President. The organization was 
created in memory of the late Dr. John Malcus Ellison, Sr., the first 
African American President of Virginia Union University, and his wife, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Balfour Ellison. Dr. Ellison was dedicated to bringing 
peace and unity to the cultural divide within

[[Page E920]]

this country, and he believed a multi-cultural education could be used 
to achieve this. Bells for Peace is an effort to carry on Dr. Ellison's 
life's work.
  As part of this effort, Bells for Peace hopes to install a 35 bell 
carillon in the University's empty Vann Memorial Tower, which sits atop 
its Belgian Friendship Building. In 1939, the Belgian Government 
presented the Friendship Building and Tower to Virginia Union in a 
gesture of international goodwill. The Friendship Building had been the 
centerpiece of the Belgian Pavilion at the 1939 World's Fair in New 
York. However, prior to presenting the structure to Virginia Union, the 
Belgians removed the bell carillon and awarded it to President Herbert 
Hoover. President Hoover gave the carillon to his alma mater, Stanford 
University, where the bells now ring at the Hoover Institution of War 
and Peace.
  The Belgian Government selected Virginia Union for the gift from 27 
colleges that desired the Friendship Building and Tower. Virginia Union 
was selected because of its location, history, and mission. Where 
better to place a symbol of peace, hope, and unity than in Richmond, 
Virginia, the former capital of the Confederate states that nearly 
burned to the ground when the Southern troops fled the city. Where 
better than on a campus that was first located in a rented structure 
known as Lumpkin's Jail, a former slave holding pen. And where better 
than at a University that was born of several small colleges dedicated 
to the dignified education of African Americans, while struggling 
against post-Civil War prejudice. In 1899, these colleges joined 
together in a ``union'' that opened its doors as Virginia Union. The 
Belgian Government recognized this significant history and felt that 
its ``Friendship Building'' would be best served on the shores of the 
James River in Richmond.

  Following the Belgian Government's decision to give the structure to 
Virginia Union, Dr. John Malcus Ellison single-handedly raised $500,000 
in donations to transport and re-construct the Friendship Building on 
the Richmond campus. Shortly thereafter, the Friendship Building was 
used by the U.S. Armed Forces as the Eastern Virginia induction site 
for soldiers going off to fight in WWII. It was within this building 
that thousands of African American soldiers were processed into the 
military. It was also through this building that the late Vice Admiral 
Samuel L. Gravely frequently passed. Vice Admiral Gravely, a Virginia 
Union graduate, was the first African American to achieve the rank of 
Admiral and command a Naval fleet.
  Because of its remarkable history, the Belgian Friendship Building 
has been designated a United States National Treasure and Virginia 
Historical Landmark, but its majestic tower, which can be seen from 
many vantage points in the Richmond community, remains empty and 
silent. Bells for Peace, in its quest to obtain a new carillon for the 
Vann Memorial Tower, hopes to change that. Bells for Peace is also 
working to restore the aged and worn Friendship Building, so that it 
may become a top-quality facility for students pursuing a multi-
cultural education.
  Through its restoration efforts, the organization has brought much 
deserved attention to this historical landmark and highly respected 
Virginia Union University. Bells for Peace calls on people to recognize 
the importance of an international ``Friendship'' building and symbol 
of peace, hope, and unity erected at a historically black college; a 
college known for its multi-cultural studies and graduates who have 
made contributions to communities around the world. Bells for Peace 
calls on people to remember the legacy of Dr. John Malcus Ellison, who 
not only helped bring the Friendship Building to Virginia Union, but 
also helped established the University's reputation for excellence in 
education.
  Madam Speaker, today it is my privilege to recognize Bells for Peace 
and commend it for its admirable mission. I also wish the organization 
great success in restoring the Belgian Friendship Building and filling 
the belfry tower with a carillon of bells that can be enjoyed on the 
Virginia Union campus and in the Richmond community, and symbolically 
heard in communities around the world.

                          ____________________