[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


               HONORING THE VOCALESSENCE WITNESS PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impact of 
VocalEssence, a Minneapolis-based vocal ensemble of international 
repute. Through their WITNESS program, they have taught, performed 
alongside, and serenaded more than 155,000 students throughout the Twin 
Cities over 26 years.
  The WITNESS vision began in 1991 with one school and one teaching 
artist. It has since grown to more than 40 schools and 9 teaching 
artists, impacting more than 5,000 students annually. The program 
provides diverse role models and increased exposure to the arts through 
performances and classroom workshops. For many students, WITNESS is 
their first opportunity to receive professional training or perform at 
a major concert hall. The program celebrates the contributions of 
African Americans to choral music--a rich history that has led to 
collaborations with James Earl Jones, Rita Dove, Billy Taylor, and 
countless others.
  This year, WITNESS is hosting the Morehouse College Glee Club. These 
young men from a Historically Black College are living proof of the 
world of possibility for students of color. Over 200 young men from six 
Twin Cities high schools will rehearse and perform alongside some of 
the brightest Black minds in our country. It is crucial that we 
celebrate Black culture; when we do, we must include Black youth at the 
helm. VocalEssence WITNESS does just that.
  I commend VocalEssence for the WITNESS program's success in 
educating, engaging and inspiring students in the Twin Cities. 
VocalEssence has given our community so much beauty through their 
music, and they continue to better our future through their top-notch 
community program WITNESS. I can't wait to see what they accomplish in 
the future.

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