[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING RONDO PLAZA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize residents of the 
historic Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota as the community 
comes together to seek hope and healing. Earlier this fall, it was an 
honor to join community leaders to break ground on a Rondo 
Commemorative Plaza as a first step toward reconciliation for this 
neighborhood that was torn apart during the construction of the 
National Interstate Highway System in the 1960s. Like so many 
predominately black urban neighborhoods around the nation, cultural, 
social, and political trauma stemming from this civic wound still scars 
our community today.
  Old Rondo was Saint Paul's largest and most prominent African 
American community centered around a once thriving street called Rondo 
Avenue. From the 1900 to the early 1960's African Americans migrated 
from the south to seek good jobs and Saint Paul's rich and vibrant 
quality of life. Generations created and invested in businesses, 
schools, civic organizations and families.
  When plans were made for a National Interstate Highway System, people 
of color, those of limited means or political representation were not 
at the table. Designs for Interstate 94 landed squarely on Rondo. Over 
the cries and protest of its residents, bulldozers were brought in, and 
Rondo Avenue and the homes and businesses nearby were razed. This 
tight-knit community was devastated. During the decades since the 
freeway was built, longtime residents have worked hard to rebuild a 
community lost. Thanks to them today the spirit of Rondo's neighbors 
still burns bright.
  Immutable leaders like Marvin ``Roger'' Anderson, Floyd Smaller, 
Nathaniel Khaliq, Debbie Montgomery and countless others have brought 
tireless dedication and commitment to restoring the Rondo spirit and 
community. They've begun successful local festivals like Rondo Days and 
the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival which bring community together in new 
ways to celebrate and chart a new future.
  While, nothing can be done to undo the injustice that was done to the 
Rondo community more than four decades ago, that doesn't mean nothing 
should be done to help our residents remember our history so that we 
don't repeat it again. Anderson and other Rondo leaders are planning 
the Rondo Commemorative Plaza as a tangible place to acknowledge and 
confront the dark chapter in Saint Paul's relationship with its African 
American community. It will be a place to remember the vibrant Rondo 
neighborhood, and continue moving forward into the 21st century--with 
all voices at the table.
  This plaza will be a beautiful community gathering spot to learn 
about Rondo through written and oral presentations, music and art. It 
will serve as a social gathering place for all generations, for 
visitors to appreciate and remember the history of Rondo and the 
strength of residents that lives on.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the strong will and 
unassailable pride of the Rondo community as they build the Rondo 
Commemorative Plaza. We look forward to the grand opening of this 
special place and the big step in healing and reconciliation of the 
past.

                          ____________________