[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 212 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE LATE MS. JOSEPHINE BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2021

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, from the 24th Congressional 
District of the great State of Florida, it is my honor to rise in 
celebration of the late Ms. Josephine Baker as she becomes the first 
black woman to rest in the Pantheon in Paris, France.
  It is truly a privilege to honor and recognize Ms. Baker for her 
tremendous work of breaking the boundaries of segregation. Ms. Baker 
was a performer like no other. She refused to sign contracts with 
venues that were segregated. By refusing to perform in racially 
segregated theaters, staying in the finest hotels and eating in the 
best restaurants, Josephine wanted to show that skin color did not 
imply differential treatment and was no obstacle to wealth and fame.
  In 1951, she convinced the Copa City Club, the epicenter of Miami 
Beach's nightlife, to open its doors to all. Ms. Baker's shows were a 
huge success and the beginning of a new social life for the communities 
of the area.
  Her boldness and sense of glamour resonated with the new Art Deco 
movement with its equally revolutionary architecture inspired by bold 
and colorful geometric shapes. Art Deco was a perfect representation of 
the modern urban life and is now part of the heritage of Miami Beach.
  Ms. Baker believed in fighting for what's right. During World War II, 
Josephine Baker joined the French Resistance hiding underground 
fighters and Jews in the Chateau des Milandes in the Perigord region. 
She became a pilot for the French Forces Libres in Morocco and 
concealed information in her musical scores that she passed on to the 
Allies. She was awarded the Legion of Honor and the Medaille de la 
Resistance, upon the Liberation.
  Her humanist philosophy spilled over into her private life. Starting 
in 1953, Josephine Baker built a utopian family by adopting twelve 
children from all over the world, which gave people food for thought in 
the 50s and 60s. The Rainbow Tribe was the realization of the anti-
racial, peaceful dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s universal 
brotherhood.
  Seventy years after breaking the rule of segregated audiences in 
Miami Beach clubs, Josephine Baker is the first black woman to be 
recognized as a great figure in the Pantheon in Paris, France. The 
Pantheon has become a true symbol of the French Republic. This 'Temple 
of Humanity' is now a mausoleum for illustrious figures of the 
Enlightenment and for those who made their mark in the country's 
history such as inventors, writers and Human Rights activists.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues, my constituents of the 24th 
Congressional District of the great State of Florida, the residents of 
Miami-Dade and all Americans to please join me in celebrating Ms. 
Josephine Baker's remarkable achievements.

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