[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5492-5493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO ``BLACK CROSSROADS: THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN MIAMI''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize and 
commemorate the grand opening of the historic exhibition,

[[Page 5493]]

Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora in Miami. The exhibit, which 
will be on display at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida from 
March 5, 2009 to January 24, 2010, depicts the diverse groups of the 
African Diaspora who have come to settle, work and struggle for freedom 
in Miami since its incorporation in 1896 to the present day.
  Celebrating the diversity and richness, Black Crossroads: The African 
Diaspora in Miami explores the enduring presence and impact of African-
Americans, Africans, black Caribbeans, and black Hispanics in Miami. 
The many significant political, economic and cultural contributions are 
shown through historic photographs, oral histories, memorabilia, film/
video, and artifacts. These contributions will be related to black 
pioneers, families, laborers, communities, and organizations spanning 
over 100 years of history of black migrations to Miami.
  Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora in Miami documents an 
important aspect of Miami's cultural history, and bring this vital 
information together in one place and at one time for the people of 
South Florida. I applaud the Historical Museum of Southern Florida for 
displaying this exhibit for all to see.
  I also commend Dr. Joanne Hyppolite, the Chief Curator at the 
Historical Museum of Southern Florida, for her achievements and 
successes with the Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora in Miami thus 
far. Dr. Hyppolite has strived to show a clear reflection of what Miami 
has always been: a meeting point for intersections of many members of 
the African Diaspora since as far back as the 1800s. The exhibit also 
shows Miami's importance as a popular southern migration site for 
blacks from the Upper South, Northern Florida and the Caribbean.
  I am pleased to join all those in attendance at the opening of the 
exhibition in wishing the Historical Museum of Southern Florida and Dr. 
Hyppolite continued success in preserving and promoting an awareness of 
the diverse groups of the African Diaspora in Miami. Educating the 
public with a broader perspective of the traditions and struggles many 
have faced in their efforts to be treated as equal citizens will assure 
that generations to come will have access to objects and photographs 
that will enable them to contextualize life in Miami.

                          ____________________