[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. ELIAS BLAKE, JR., FORMER 
   PRESIDENT OF CLARK COLLEGE, ATLANTA, GA AND LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR 
  EDUCATION, CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF JAZZ MUSIC, 1922-2007

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of 
Dr. Elias Blake, Jr., former president of Clark College in Atlanta, GA. 
Dr. Blake was an impassioned advocate for education, social justice and 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His passing is a profound 
loss to the struggle for higher education in the African-American 
community.
  Dr. Blake led Clark College from 1977 until 1987. During that decade, 
he developed and implemented a plan that resulted in placing the 
college on a sound financial path, major improvements in faculty 
training and curriculum, securing national accreditations for many 
academic programs, seeking out and retaining the best and brightest 
minds to enhance their academic and life skills, and enhancing science, 
mathematics and musical scholarships while making jazz music a 
signature experience at Clark College.
  Madam Speaker, I cannot in this short time do justice to the life and 
achievements of Dr. Elias Blake, Jr.; however, it is fitting that as 
his final accomplishment he was working on a study of Brown v. Board of 
Education, the landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court 
that overturned segregation in our Nation's public schools.
  A lifelong advocate for jazz music, Dr. Blake worked with such 
notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Billy Taylor, and many others 
to encourage younger musicians in their musical pursuits. My heart goes 
out to the family of Elias Blake, Jr. and I want them to know that I 
appreciate the life and work of Dr. Blake and that he will be greatly 
missed.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Elias Blake, Jr. for his 
continuing dedication to the world's children as well as those children 
in our community.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Dr. Elias Blake, Jr., former president of Clark College.

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