[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE BLACK STUNTMEN'S ASSOCIATION AND THE COALITION OF BLACK 
                           STUNTMEN AND WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction 
of a concurrent resolution honoring the Black Stuntmen's Association 
and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women for their central role in 
the fight for racial equality in the film and television industry.
  I have the honor of representing some of the founding members of 
these organizations, and I feel it is time the Congress of the United 
States recognizes the part they played in combating discrimination in 
Hollywood.
  The film and television industry was not immune to the racial and 
cultural struggles of the 1950s and 1960s in America. This was 
reflected in the small number of African-Americans and other minorities 
working throughout the industry. When stunt doubles were needed for the 
few African-American actors working in Hollywood, common practice was 
to ``paint down'' white stuntmen, using makeup to darken their 
complexion. As more African-American actors began to find work in the 
major studios in the 1960s, the almost exclusive use of white stuntmen 
became a more visible example of the racial discrimination still 
plaguing our society.
  In 1967, a group of African-American stuntmen, athletes and extras 
founded the Black Stuntmen's Association to address these lingering 
problems in the industry. The Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women was 
formed in 1973 to continue the fight against racial bias in Hollywood. 
Together these groups confronted the studios over their discriminatory 
practices, pursuing legal action to bring additional diversity to the 
industry and monitoring compliance with the resulting agreements. 
Through their tireless efforts, members of the Black Stuntmen's 
Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women paved the way 
for greater racial equality in film and television in the ensuing 
years.
  I would like to take this opportunity to recognize some of the 
individuals who were involved in the founding and operation of the 
Black Stuntmen's Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and 
Women: Eddie Smith, Marvin Walters, Jadie David, Ernie Robertson, Henry 
Kingi, Alex Brown, S.J. McGee, and Willie Harris.
  The efforts of these men and women, as well as many others, bore 
fruit in other aspects of the industry as well. African-Americans began 
to break through racial barriers both in front of the camera as actors 
and behind the camera as directors, producers and in other management 
positions. Their lasting contributions have changed the way Hollywood 
does business, and they truly deserve our recognition and gratitude.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the Black Stuntmen's 
Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women.

                          ____________________