[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
            HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HARRY BELAFONTE

  (Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Harry Belafonte, who passed away this week at age 96. This is 
a hole in the soul of goodness.
  He broke barriers in Hollywood, becoming one of the first Black faces 
on-screen. His unique sound led him to success in the music industry, 
with classics like ``Day-O,'' ``Banana Boat,'' and ``Jamaica 
Farewell.''
  His artistry spoke to the soul of many Black Americans who did not 
see themselves represented in music or on-screen. He touched the West 
Indies diaspora of New York and lent that island sound to his top hits.
  He had great success with his ``Calypso'' album when it topped the 
charts for 31 weeks straight before a man known as Elvis Presley came 
on the scene.
  He also took up the mantle of civil rights to work alongside Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., Stokely Carmichael, and others to promote 
racial equity. He will be remembered as a multitalented entertainer who 
shattered barriers while continuing to battle racial prejudice and help 
clear the way for those who came after him.
  May we remember his powerful legacy and his remarkable efforts to 
progress justice, equality, and civil rights.

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