[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING BEVERLY ROBERTSON ON RECEIVING THE 2014 BE THE DREAM MLK 
                              LEGACY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2014

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Beverly 
Robertson on receiving the 2014 Be the Dream MLK Legacy Award. This 
special award is given to those individuals whose lives have ``embodied 
the spirit and legacy of service, sacrifice and hope'' that 
characterized the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As the President 
of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee for the past 
17 years, it is fitting that this award be bestowed upon Beverly 
Robertson in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions.
   Beverly Robertson attended Memphis State University where she earned 
her BA degree in 1973. While there, she was active in the student body 
and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, an organization well 
known for academic excellence, commitment to service, and providing 
assistance and support in local communities throughout the world. In 
2013, the College of Education, Health and Human Services Alumni 
Chapter inducted her into its Hall of Fame.
   For 19 years, Mrs. Robertson worked in corporate America before 
starting a successful business with her husband, Howard. In 1997, she 
was selected to be president of the National Civil Rights Museum, which 
is housed in the transformed Lorraine Motel--the location of Dr. King's 
tragic assassination. While she expressed concerns about her 
qualification for such a prestigious position, she pushed any doubts 
aside and said that she knows ``how to treat people'' and ``how to 
manage a business.'' With these and other skills will in hand, the 
museum, its visitors and the city of Memphis have been well-served 
under her leadership.
   Under her 17-year tenure as president, from which she is now 
preparing for a much deserved retirement, Beverly was instrumental in 
elevating the museum to new heights. She oversaw two major renovation 
projects, which included a 12,800-square-foot addition dedicated to the 
examination of Dr. King's assassination and the continuing struggle for 
civil rights, and a $27 million renovation that is scheduled to open in 
March of 2014 and will add new exhibit space, more automation, state-of 
the art interactivity, an educational and cultural center, and a 
redesigned lobby. She has overseen 16 Freedom Awards programs honoring 
iconic leaders such as U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as 
well as other notable figures including Rosa Parks, the Dalai Lama, 
Oprah Winfrey, Elie Wiesel, and Nelson Mandela. As a result of her 
dedication, the museum is a strong, fiscally sound and national 
recognized organization.
   Beverly Robertson has been a true visionary at the National Civil 
Rights Museum and while I congratulate her on her upcoming retirement, 
her presence at the museum will be missed. There is no doubt that her 
work is worthy of this award named after Reverend Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Beverly Robertson on being awarded the 2014 Be the Dream 
MLK Legacy Award.

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