[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 6 (Friday, January 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  RECOGNITION OF MRS. ANN M. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 10, 2014

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of Mrs. Ann M. Williams, Founder and Artistic Director of 
the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Mrs. Williams will retire this May 
after 38 years of dedication to the performing arts community in 
Dallas.
  Mrs. Williams has a highly decorated career in the arts. She holds a 
Master of Arts degree and Related Arts from Texas Woman's University 
and was inducted into the Texas Women's hall of fame in 2002. Among her 
various accolades, she was honored at The Kennedy Center in Washington, 
DC as a part of the Masters of African-American Choreography series in 
2005.
  Mrs. Williams had the vision to create a diverse and community-
oriented dance institution with a strong emphasis toward the African-
American community. Over several decades, Mrs. Williams built the 
Dallas Black Dance Theatre from the ground up, growing it to become one 
of the most well-known Dallas-based nonprofits. It has garnered 
recognition from the City of Dallas, the National Endowment for the 
Arts, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
  The Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the oldest continuously operating 
professional dance company in Dallas and is host to a multi-ethnic 
troupe of dancers who specialize in contemporary modern dance. Since 
its founding in 1976, the Dallas Black Dance Theatre has brought 
cultural and artistic value to millions of people throughout 30 states 
and 14 different countries such as Great Britain, Japan, and Canada.
  Mr. Speaker, under Mrs. Williams' direction, the Dallas Black Dance 
Theatre has become an invaluable addition to the Dallas arts community. 
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre has contributed greatly to the 
revitalization of downtown Dallas by bringing added educational and 
artistic capital to the area. I would like to recognize Mrs. Williams 
for her contributions and I join my constituents in wishing her a 
fruitful and fulfilling retirement.

                          ____________________