[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E834-E835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MR. MICHAEL FINLEY LANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2015

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of 
Mr. Michael Finley Lange, a prominent actor, teacher, filmmaker, and 
playwright. Mr. Lange earned a reputation throughout the years as a 
progressive force in the theater arts. With his passing on May 20, 
2015, we look to recognize his extraordinary life's work and all those 
he inspired as an actor and teacher of theatre arts.
  Mr. Lange was born in Oakland on January 2, 1948. His father was a 
thespian who inspired him to pursue the dramatic Arts. Mr. Lange 
graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1967. He attended UC 
Berkeley where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Political 
Science and later completed his graduate studies in Public Health at 
California State University East Bay. He later taught for more than a 
decade at California State University San Jose to Hospitality, 
Recreation, and Health Science majors.
  Mr. Lange had a passion for theatre. From 1974 to 2006, Mr. Lange 
managed the Alice Arts Center (now the Molonga Casquelord Centre for 
the Arts). He also managed the Henry J. Kaiser building in Downtown 
Oakland.
  Mr. Lange directed stage productions in the Bay Area for more than 25 
years. He produced The Meeting, a fictional meeting between the late 
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Honorable Malcolm X. He was also an 
exceptional playwright. He wrote ``Prophet Nat'', a musical docudrama 
based on the life of slave-prophet Nat Turner. He also directed two 
award winning plays: Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and The Old Settler.
  Since the early 1990's, Mr. Lange was known for his portrayals of 
Malcolm X. Mr. Lange was able to captivate and capture audiences with 
his performances, bringing the passion and presence of Malcolm X to 
life, while also presenting the crowd with pressing questions regarding 
racial discrimination still prevalent in today's society.

[[Page E835]]

  Throughout his prolific career, Mr. Lange received numerous 
accolades, which includes being honored by the San Francisco Black Film 
Festival.
  I have known Michael since my college days at Mills College--he 
constantly encouraged me. His smile, words of wisdom, and his 
friendship will be deeply missed.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual, Mr. Michael Finley Lange. Mr. Lange's 
contributions have truly impacted so many lives throughout the Bay 
Area. I join all of Mr. Lange's loved ones in celebrating his 
incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________