[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [House] [Pages H1938-H1941] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: HOUSE
Mr. JACKSON : I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose life, legacy, and unwavering commitment to justice and equality has left an indelible mark on our Nation. I speak of none other than the incomparable Mr. Harry Belafonte who passed away today at the age of 96. At a time when segregation was still deeply entrenched and Black faces were scarce on screens, both large and small, Mr. Belafonte's historic rise to the pinnacle of show business broke barriers and paved the way for future generations. Mr. Belafonte's exceptional music career earned him numerous accolades and awards. A three-time Grammy Award winner, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, he was recognized for his enduring contributions to the world of music.  {time}  2030  His exceptional talent transcended mediums, earning him an Emmy Award for his work on television and a Tony Award for his brilliance on stage. In 1989, he received one of the highest honors bestowed upon artists in the United States: The Kennedy Center Honors. Our Nation continued to recognize his extraordinary contributions when, in 1994, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his significant impact on American culture. In 2014, Mr. Belafonte received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's Sixth Annual Governors Awards. In 2022, the world of music paid homage to his influence by inducting him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early influence category. As we celebrate Mr. Harry Belafonte's life and memory, let us also remember that he was much more than an extraordinary entertainer. I have had the privilege and honor of meeting and knowing Mr. Belafonte, and what attracted me to him the most is that he was a tireless advocate for civil rights, using his fame and fortune to further the cause of equality and uplift the lives of countless African Americans. He used his celebrity, his wealth, his power, and his influence to transcend the racial divisions of our day and time. He contributed to Reverend Martin Luther King at the height of the civil rights challenges in America. That says something about where you stand in times of challenge. Belafonte's close friendship and support of Reverend Martin Luther King exemplified the duality of his life's work. He stood beside Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Duke Ellington at the ``Salute to Montgomery'' in 1956, raising funds for the civil rights movement when it was not popular, but it was the right thing to do. Part of the legacy he leaves behind is a call for our current generation to use their celebrity, their influence, and their access as they walk the corridors of power to give truth in high places. During the tumultuous 1960s, Belafonte continued to provide much- needed financial assistance to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, most notably during the Birmingham, Alabama, campaign. He opened his home and his heart, inviting prominent individuals for a meeting where Reverend King and Fred Shuttlesworth laid out their plans and appealed for support. Belafonte answered the call, not seeking a car, not wanting a bigger house, not wanting to boast about his earnings. He raised over $50,000 and donated it to the civil rights cause to keep Reverend Martin Luther King's movement and our movement alive to enable the campaign to proceed, even while Reverend Martin Luther King was in jail in Birmingham writing the ``Letter From a Birmingham Jail.'' Mr. Belafonte worked the outside, while Reverend Martin Luther King worked the inside. In the aftermath of Reverend Martin Luther King's tragic assassination, it was Mr. Harry Belafonte, not the entertainer but the activist, who continued to fight for his dream, who gave the King family financial support after their father was slain with four young children at home, serving as the executor of King's estate and chairing the Martin Luther King Memorial Fund. His commitment to civil rights and humanitarian issues never wavered, and his voice rang out in support of those who sought justice and equality both at home and abroad. My fellow Americans, as we honor the life and memory of Harry Belafonte, let us remember his unwavering dedication to the cause of justice,and let us strive to carry on his legacy by standing tall in the face of challenge and controversy. Reverend Martin Luther King said it is not where you stand in moments of comfort and convenience but where you stand in moments of challenge and controversy. Let us, like Harry Belafonte, be champions of equality guided by the principles of compassion, empathy, and love. It is said: ``Each and every one of us has the capacity to be an oppressor. I want to encourage everyone to interrogate how we might be an oppressor and how we might be able to become liberators for ourselves and for each other.'' In the spirit of these words, let us forge ahead harnessing the power of our collective talents and passions to drive change and create a more just and equitable world for all. Let us not only celebrate his achievements but also emulate his unwavering actions and dedication to the cause of justice. Let us strive to become liberators for ourselves and for each other, working tirelessly to ensure that the torch of equality and freedom continue to burn brightly for generations to come. May the life and legacy of Mr. Harry Belafonte serve as the guiding light as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Together, let us work toward a life and a world where justice, equality, and love will prevail. Mr. Speaker, God bless us all. I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick).