[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OSCAR BROWN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 2005

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the artistic and 
political icons of our time and a longtime personal friend, Oscar 
Brown, Jr. Throughout his life, Oscar defied convention not only by 
blurring the lines between art and activism, but by consistently and 
passionately articulating a message of hope, freedom and equality for 
all people. Oscar passed away on May 29, 2005, in his hometown of 
Chicago, Illinois.
  A performer from an early age, Oscar was known for acting his songs 
as much as for singing them. Through the popularity of songs like 
``Brown Baby'' and ``Signifyin' Monkey,'' he became known for his use 
of art as a way to celebrate African-American culture and to denounce 
racism.
  I met Oscar during the early 1970s in Oakland, California. I was 
amazed at his profound sense of history, his insight and clarity on the 
root causes of racism and economic exploitation, and his ``bold 
defiance'' of all that was corrupt. He often spoke of his deep love for 
and dedication to his family. A man of tremendous strength, dignity and 
sensitivity, Oscar Brown, Jr. was a man for all seasons.
  Oscar wrote a number of plays that addressed the issues of cultural 
politics and social division, and made those expressions even more 
powerful through his regular inclusion of Chicago youth in their casts. 
One of his best known plays was ``The Great Nitty Gritty,'' which 
focused on gang problems in Chicago and featured a number of local 
teenagers onstage and in the production process.
  Oscar remained a cultural force in Chicago throughout his life, and 
is credited with inspiring or influencing countless artistic careers. 
His bright spirit touched and improved the lives not only of those he 
knew and mentored, but of the countless others who found hope, purpose 
and pride through his work.
  I was in Los Angeles on December 4, 2004, and learned that Oscar was 
performing locally. My spirit led me to go see him perform, not knowing 
that this would be the last time I would see and hear this great 
genius. After a magnificent performance, I went backstage and we talked 
and reminisced, and in his unique way, he gave me his candid critique 
of the United States government and the critical issues facing us. He 
was excited when I invited him to be my guest at the upcoming 
Congressional Black Caucus dinner in September, and again talked about 
his love for his family.
  On June 24, 2005, Oscar's family and friends will gather to celebrate 
his extraordinary life. Oscar was a visionary thinker, a cultural 
legend, and political guru. My life, like the lives of many, has been 
enriched by my friend: the great, the magnificent, Oscar Brown, Jr. He 
will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________