[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2833-E2834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF TOMMY JACQUETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Tommy Jacquette, my 
dear friend of over 40 years, who passed away this week. I know that 
the community of Watts and the greater Los Angeles area are grieving 
with me, because we've all lost a truly unique, larger-than-life friend 
and activist who had his finger on the pulse of the community.
  Born in South Central Los Angeles in 1943, Tommy as a young man 
became part of the Black Power Movement of the 1960's and sharpened his 
leadership skills during his studies at Cal-Poly Pomona. He was acutely 
aware of the problems and issues facing the African-American community, 
and he wanted to make a difference.
  Tommy especially loved Watts, and he dedicated his life's work to 
enriching the community. He was the founder of the Watts Summer 
Festival at Ted Watkins Memorial Park (formerly Will Rogers Park), 
which became an annual tradition in the community following the 1965 
insurrection, which were riots that shook the Watts community and 
surrounding areas.
  Tommy created the Festival to honor and celebrate our roots, our 
talents and our culture, and it subsequently helped to spark African-
American festivals across the country: today it's known as the 
`Grandfather' of all African-American cultural events.
  Even in years when he struggled to get funding for the Festival, when 
traditional donors such as the business community and others wouldn't 
contribute, he always came through and was able to put on a Festival, 
using the resources he had and his amazing life skills, largely 
stemming from being a self-made man. Just this year, I joked with him 
that if he had two dimes to rub together, there would be a Watts Summer 
Festival.
  I have no doubt, however, that in making the Festival possible each 
and every year for almost a half-century, Tommy knocked a few heads 
together. This tall, handsome and fatigue-wearing man made his presence 
known, often using his penchant for colorful language to drive home the 
point! His confrontations with City Hall, L.A. County, and other 
elected officials and community leaders are legendary. He spoke his 
mind, and was bold and uncompromising in his support of the Black 
community.
  So when he was mad, you knew it. However when he was pleased and 
happy, you knew it too, because he had a smile that would light up a 
room and a hearty laugh that would resonate throughout an entire 
building.
  The Watts Summer Festival is uniquely Tommy, bringing people together 
and focusing both on local and national talent, always with an Afro-
centric theme.

[[Page E2834]]

  Tommy was an inspiration to me and to so many other people. He was 
daring, fearless and bold, helping us to gain the courage to openly 
discuss and deal with race, discrimination and inequality in a way that 
few had been able to before.
  I will truly miss his presence and the long conversations we would 
often have, which would usually start when he'd say ``Hey Mac, what do 
you think about that?'' He was an incredibly deep thinker. He was 
especially an inspiration to young people in the community, often 
speaking at high schools, colleges and universities to encourage them 
to succeed, to give back, and to hold their heads up high.
  There will never be another Tommy Jacquette, and I know that the 
legacy he has left behind is enshrined not only in the Watts Summer 
Festival, but in the larger community. I look forward to working with 
his family and the Board of Directors to make sure that the Festival 
continues, though there will be a big hole that can never be filled.
  I thank him for all that he was and all that he was not, for all the 
lives he reached, and for his friendship. I will miss him dearly, but 
am comforted because I know Tommy Jacquette's life was one of impact, 
purpose, and fulfillment.

                          ____________________