[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 96 (Monday, July 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF RONDO DAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the 
families of the Rondo neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota on the 30th 
anniversary of the Rondo Days festival. Rondo Days offers a remembrance 
of this historically African-American community that was dramatically 
altered by the construction of U.S. Interstate 94 in the mid-1960s. 
More importantly, Rondo Days is a celebration of the perseverance and 
tenacity of the modern Rondo community, which remains a vibrant, 
diverse and thriving neighborhood.
  For many decades, Rondo Avenue was the lively center of the African-
American community in Saint Paul. Construction of U.S. Interstate 94 in 
the 1960s resulted in the removal of the avenue along with hundreds of 
homes and businesses, shattering the tight-knit community. Many 
families were displaced and the appearance of the neighborhood was 
forever changed, but the spirit of Rondo lived on. Capturing a strong 
desire for a community revival, in 1982, Marvin ``Roger'' Anderson and 
Floyd Smaller founded a new festival to restore the sense of kinship, 
stability, and community values of the old Rondo neighborhood. Rondo 
Days was born, growing into a major annual weekend festival drawing 
together thousands of residents in celebration of the community. Each 
year, neighbors and families come together for activities including a 
senior dinner, 5K walk and run, drill team competition, and the Grand 
Parade.
  The rich legacy of old Rondo Avenue is also the foundation for the 
future of the new Rondo neighborhood. For decades, many families called 
Rondo Avenue home, and many new residents from the South were welcomed 
on doorsteps along the avenue. Residents were proud of their 
neighborhood and planted deep roots, branching out to start businesses 
to serve the community and create new opportunity. During a time of 
segregation and harsh racial disparities, Rondo Avenue allowed many 
African-Americans to dream big and believe in a brighter future. This 
pride and these dreams remain undiminished today. As Saint Paul gathers 
for the 30th time to celebrate Rondo Days, families and neighbors will 
be reunited, new friends welcomed, and everyone will be looking to an 
even brighter future.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of the community, history, and legacy of the 
Rondo neighborhood, and as a neighbor myself, I am pleased to submit 
this statement for the Congressional Record recognizing the 30th 
Anniversary of Rondo Days in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

                          ____________________