[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 171 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF MISS RUTHA MAE HARRIS

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a legendary 
singer and activist in the Civil Rights Movement, Miss Rutha Mae 
Harris. Miss Harris will be celebrating her 75th birthday on Friday, 
November 27, 2015.
  Miss Rutha Harris was born on November 27, 1940 in Albany, Georgia to 
the late Reverend and Mrs. I.A. Harris. She attended Albany's public 
schools, graduating from Monroe High School in 1958 and Albany State 
College, now Albany State University, in 1970. She also studied at 
Valdosta State University, Dillard University, and Florida A&M 
University.
  In 1961, Miss Harris, who always had a love and talent for singing, 
joined the Original Freedom Singers. The Freedom Singers traveled more 
than 50,000 miles singing for the cause of freedom and raising funds 
for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). During the 
Albany Movement, Miss Harris was thrown several times into the same 
jail where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed on multiple 
occasions.
  In 1963, the Freedom Singers were signed to a recording contract with 
Mercury Records. This was the beginning of Miss Harris's professional 
career and helped propel her to the national stage. She performed in 46 
states and the Virgin Islands, in renowned venues such as Radio City 
Music Hall in New York City and the Civic Opera House in Chicago, 
Illinois. The Freedom Singers also performed at the March on Washington 
in Washington, D.C. in 1963.
  In addition to performing with the Freedom Singers, Miss Harris also 
recorded with the Landmark Gospel Singers, Georgia Mass Choir, and the 
legendary Whitney Houston. One of the highlights of Miss Harris's 
professional career was being selected to perform with the Georgia Mass 
Choir in the film, ``The Preacher's Wife,'' starring Whitney Houston 
and Denzel Washington. In 2004, Miss Harris recorded her first album, 
``I'm on the Battlefield.''
  In 1998, Miss Harris organized the Albany Civil Rights Museum (now 
Institute) Freedom Singers. This group performs every second Saturday 
of the month and travels to other cities. This group, along with the 
Albany Civil Rights Institute, helps to keep the Albany Movement alive 
for younger generations to learn of the passion and sacrifices made by 
their ancestors.
  Miss Harris has been widely recognized for her music, her involvement 
in the Civil Rights Movement, and her continued activism. She received 
the Martin Luther King Dream Award in 2001 and the Trailblazer Award 
for Outstanding Work Preserving, Promoting, and Advancing the Tradition 
of African American Music in 2013, among many other awards and 
accolades. On February 9, 2010, Miss Harris had the honor of performing 
at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle 
Obama in a special event, ``In Performance at the White House: A 
Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.''
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ``Darkness cannot drive out 
darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love 
can do that.'' The Freedom Singers brought light and love to those on 
both sides of the Civil Rights Movement. Miss Harris has helped to keep 
this light and love alive through her continued performances and her 
efforts to preserve the successes of the Movement for younger 
generations to enjoy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me and my wife, Vivian, in commending and recognizing Miss Rutha 
Mae Harris for the inspiring life that she leads. We extend our best 
wishes to her as she and her family and friends prepare to celebrate 
her 75th birthday.

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