[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 110 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3086-H3087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING REVEREND RONALD V. MYERS, SR., M.D.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to 
the Reverend Dr. Ronald Myers, who was one of the real reasons that 
President

[[Page H3087]]

Biden was able to sign into law Juneteenth as a national holiday.
  Reverend Myers was founder of numerous medical and cultural 
organizations and a committed physician, serving the poorest Americans 
through clinics in Tchula, Belzoni, Yazoo City, Indianola, Greenville, 
and Tupelo, Mississippi.
  Doc was also a jazz musician, composer, and human rights activist. 
The New York Times stated: ``There aren't many doctors like Ronald 
Myers, a jazz-playing, Baptist-preaching, family practitioner whose 
dream has always been to practice medicine in the kind of place most 
other doctors wouldn't even stop for a tank of gas.''
  In 1994, a group of community leaders from across the country 
gathered at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, 
to work for greater national recognition of Juneteenth, a holiday 
celebrating the end of slavery. Dr. Myers was elected chairman of this 
advocacy effort, which led to the establishment of the National 
Juneteenth Observance Foundation and his recognition as the leader of 
the modern Juneteenth movement in America. Doc was instrumental in the 
passage of 45 of the 49 State and District of Columbia pieces of 
legislation naming Juneteenth as a day of observance in this country.
  Working with the Congressional Black Caucus, which included Illinois 
Senator Barack Obama and Representative   Danny Davis, he sought 
legislation to recognize Juneteenth independence, hosting the annual 
Juneteenth prayer breakfasts.

                              {time}  1015

  He established the Washington Juneteenth National Holiday Observance 
and the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of 
Enslavement, which includes the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust 
``Maafa'' Memorial Service.
  Dr. Myers organized the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz 
Presenters and the Fellowship of Creative Christian Jazz Musicians. 
Under his leadership, the Washington Juneteenth congressional event was 
held by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Juneteenth 
America, Inc., and the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz 
Presenters.
  An accomplished jazz pianist, trumpeter, and composer, Dr. Myers 
performed across the country promoting ``June is Black Music Month!''--
Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz--``Preserving Our African American Jazz 
Legacy!''
  For over 20 years, he met with State politicians, local Juneteenth 
organizations, and community leaders.
  Charles Taylor, author of Juneteenth, said: ``Doc would give a copy 
of my Juneteenth book to every Governor who made Juneteenth a holiday 
or observance. He even gave Sarah Palin a copy when she was the 
Governor of Alaska after her State recognized Juneteenth.''
  At an award ceremony at the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the 
Saban Theatre, founder Rabbi David Baron said: ``Reverend Dr. Ronald V. 
Myers is an outstanding living model of all the values for which Martin 
Luther King stood.''
  Thanks to Steve Williams, who has carried on Dr. Myers' work; and my 
staffer, Dr. Caleb Gilchrist, who has worked closely with him.
  Thank you, Dr. Myers, and may you rest in peace.

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