[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING SONIA LeROIA RUSSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2009

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Sonia 
LeRoia Russell for her contributions to both society and the arts. 
Through her poetry, Ms. Russell has impacted the lives of many, both 
locally in New York and throughout our nation. Her recent work 
commemorating the election of President Obama has been widely cited and 
read. For these reasons and many others, I believe that Ms. Russell is 
deserving of recognition.
  An esteemed author, poet and publisher, Ms. Russell has enriched the 
community within which she lives through her sustained contributions to 
society. Through these numerous contributions, Ms. Russell is proud to 
both represent and actively participate in the large, influential and 
diverse African American community in New York and beyond. In addition 
to her successful poetic, publishing and writing ventures, Ms. Russell 
gives back to her community in various other fashions. Formerly, Ms. 
Russell held the presidency of the first poetry ministry with the Holy 
Unity Baptist Church located in Queens, NY. In keeping with that trend, 
Ms. Russell is currently ministering poetry at the Living Water Church 
in Harlem, NY. Writing and orating for special events, Ms. Russell 
lends her strong, poetic voice to her community. In addition, Ms. 
Russell is also a member of the Music & Fine Arts Ministry where she 
writes and sings songs for the choir. Further, Ms. Russell also writes 
poetry for important community events, such as weddings and 
anniversaries. Ms. Russell's recent work commemorating the Presidency 
of Barack Obama and the African American struggle for civil rights and 
equality has been well received and further exemplifies her continued 
efforts at serving her community in lending her important voice to 
contemporary issues.
  Our country, built on the premises of equality, freedom of speech, 
and a vocal citizenry, needs talented individuals like Ms. Russell in 
order to fulfill these founding principles. In addition, the arts, in 
general, play a vital role in our society, enriching our communities 
and inspiring our youth to confront their future circumstances in 
creative and innovation ways. For her efforts in both vocalizing the 
experiences of her community and county and in stimulating the arts, I 
am thankful to Ms. Russell.
  The work of Ms. Russell is inspiring, and I am grateful to her for 
all that she has accomplished. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
expressing the gratitude of the U.S. Congress for her contributions to 
society.
  The following is the aforementioned poem authored by Ms. Russell 
entitled ``Inauguration Poem for President Barack Obama'':

              Inauguration Poem for President Barack Obama

     I laid my head down and sleep stole my thoughts
     And I drifted like a disembodied soul
     I began to see figures moving slowly in my haze
     And I heard a familiar refrain remind me of my role

     softly--``It's been a long time coming''

     So many before me who paved the way to today
     Many lives who unknowingly touched mine
     So many died before their work saw fruition
     Many who stood on that freedom, faith, line

     softly--``And I know change is gonna come''

     ``Not in vain,'' I hear them shouting, ``hold on fast.''
     ``It's not for skin that we are striving, but for equal eyes,
     Equal tongue, equal ears, equal image, equal time!''
     Now there's no more lamenting that we can't rise

     softly--``There's been times that I thought I couldn't last 
           for long''

     I watched with suspicion many take up the cause
     As we were beaten down, lifted up, then given our cross
     I watched behind the fine lines of others sacrifice
     As we were being defined by the way we handled loss

     softly--``But now I think I'm able to carry on.''

     Frederick Douglass was the first black man to aspire
     He was on the ticket as vice President to Victoria Woodhull
     Their 1872 Equal Rights Party did not make it to the top
     But the ink was spilled and all felt the inevitable pull

     softly--``It's been a long time coming''

     And the people sang, ``Run Jesse run, keep hope alive,
     Don't let Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have died in vain!''
     There are spiritually, mentally, and physically scarred folks
     Who don't believe this country can look upon them without 
           disdain

     softly--``It's been a long time coming''

     America watched a people stand tall against oppression
     Strong men holding signs reminding doubters ``I am a man''
     Then time convinced some that this was not the case
     Until a new sign was held up that insisted, ``Yes we can!''

     So as I rose up from my dream and allowed reality to sink in
     I saw a man of African, and white American descent
     Representing all people of America as a spiritual, patriot
     On the values and principles that this country was meant

     softly--``It's been a long time coming''

     And I cried as I remembered the ghosts of my dream
     Those who believed and had faith that change would occur
     Those ghosts spanned the ages of time before Christ
     And had more to do with prejudices and fear than mere color

      softly--``It's been a long time coming''

     Now let us pray that God lights and directs the path
     Of the one whom we the people chose to lead us
     Let us pray that the ghosts of the past will always remind 
           him
     And that Jesus will strengthen his resolve and his purpose

     softly--``And I knew change was gonna come''
     And it did, yes it did
     God bless you and keep you President Barack Obama!

     --Sonia ``LeRoia'' Russell.

                          ____________________