[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 151 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLACK MEN OF LABOR

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2013

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Black Men of 
Labor as they celebrate 20 years of service in preserving art and 
culture in the city of New Orleans.
  The Black Men of Labor was established in 1993 by musicians Fred J. 
Johnson Jr., Benny Jones Sr., and Gregory Stafford. For the past twenty 
years, they have honored the contributions of African American men in 
the work place while promoting and preserving traditional jazz music.
  Rooted in the historic neighborhood of Treme, America's oldest 
African American community, these men celebrate their West African 
heritage with yearly parades throughout the streets of New Orleans.
  I want to commend the Black Men of Labor for their commitment to 
preserving the living, breathing birthright of the city of New Orleans, 
jazz music. Through our triumphs and tragedies, it is our rich legacy 
in the arts that keeps us grounded as a community. Organizations like 
the Black Men of Labor are at the core of this commitment.
  On Sunday, October 20th, the streets once again came alive to the 
sound of music as the Black Men of Labor celebrated their 20th 
anniversary. I want to join the New Orleans community in celebrating 
their contributions.
  In 1987, the United States Congress designated jazz as a rare and 
valuable national treasure to which we should devote our attention, 
support, and resources to make sure it is preserved, understood and 
promulgated. Today, I echo that sentiment and applaud these men for 
their dedication to empowering their communities through music and the 
arts.

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