[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21658]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 21658]]

     MINORITY ARTS RESOURCE COUNCIL AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RODEO

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, last year, for the first time in 
Philadelphia's history, the African American Rodeo came to that great 
city. It was a memorable occasion with approximately 8,000 school 
children attending the rodeo at the Apollo Stadium. While these 
children were entertained by the rodeo and re-enactments of life in the 
old West, they learned of the many contributions made by African 
Americans to our nation's history.
  On October 8 and 9, of this year, the African American Rodeo is again 
coming to the City of Brotherly Love to present re-enactments of 
historical figures of the old West. Such performances are important 
because our history books and Hollywood have failed to give proper 
recognition of the great sacrifices and heroic deeds made by African 
Americans.
  Mr. President, more than 200,000 African American soldiers served in 
the Civil War. After the war, many of these trained soldiers were sent 
west, forming two infantry and two cavalry units. The term ``Buffalo 
Soldier'' was given to them by the Native Americans whom they 
encountered. Those soldiers, their families, and thousands who were 
freed from slavery were among our early settlers, cowpunchers, and 
farmers in a number of the western states.
  It is with pleasure that I salute the Minority Arts Resource Council, 
its founder and Executive Director, Mr. Curtis E. Brown, its board 
members, and its volunteers for once again bringing this great event to 
the city of Philadelphia. I urge my colleagues to join me in saluting 
the invaluable services and contributions of African Americans and the 
role that they have played and continue to play in American 
history.

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