[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 49 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF SPIKE LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of distinguished 
producer, writer-director, educator and actor, Spike Lee, whose 
insightful, intelligent films have had a significant impact not only on 
the film industry but also on American political discourse.
  The son of a jazz musician and teacher, Shelton Lee was born in 1957 
in Atlanta, Georgia and later moved to Brooklyn, New York, the setting 
for many of his films and home of his production company, 40 Acres and 
a Mule Filmworks. Mr. Lee learned the value of film as a tool of social 
commentary and developed his film making skills while attending 
Morehouse College, where he made his first student film. He also took 
film courses at Clark Atlanta University and later earned a degree from 
Tish School of Arts graduate film program at New York University. 
Through his films and ability to capture the attention of audiences 
everywhere, Mr. Lee's films such as ``Do the Right Thing'' and 
``Malcolm X'' have been used as vehicles to significantly raise levels 
of social awareness about a variety of important social and political 
issues that continue to plague American culture and society.
  He has revolutionized the role of Black talent in cinema. Widely 
regarded as one of today's premier American filmmakers, Mr. Lee is a 
frontrunner in the ``do it yourself school'' of independent films. His 
most recent work, ``When the Levees Broke,'' a ground breaking 
documentary focusing on the plight of Americans stranded in New Orleans 
after Hurricane Katrina, has garnered rave reviews and is considered by 
many to be the definitive account of that catastrophic event.
  Mr. Lee's trend-setting filmmaking, acting, and groundbreaking 
producing are just a few of the contributions he has made to greater 
American culture throughout his career. He has not only paved the way 
for numerous filmmakers, but has also positively changed public 
conversations on many social issues.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the talented 
and inspirational producer and director, Spike Lee, whose genius will 
continue to touch the lives of generations to come.

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