[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E764-E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2024

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bernice 
Johnson Reagon. Not only was Bernice a music and civil rights icon, but 
she was also my longtime friend. After being expelled from Albany State 
University because of an arrest related to her activism, Bernice helped 
form the ``Freedom Singers,'' an a cappella group that was part of the 
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). I was deeply involved 
in SNCC. The Freedom Singers helped document SNCC's activities through 
music. Even in the darkest times, civil rights activists would raise 
their voices in song.
  In 1973, while teaching a vocal workshop in the District of Columbia, 
Bernice founded the a cappella group ``Sweet Honey in the Rock,'' with 
which she performed until 2004. Since its inception, Sweet Honey in the 
Rock has expressed African American history through song, dance and 
sign language, earning three Grammy nominations.
  In addition to performing, Bernice was also a music historian who 
held the title of Curator Emerita at the National Museum of American 
History. Bernice received a BA from Spelman College and a PhD in 
History from Howard University and was a professor at American 
University. In 1989, Bernice was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. 
Bernice helped change the history of our country through song.

[[Page E765]]

  I ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the 
incredible life and legacy of Bernice Johnson Reagon.

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