HARRY BELAFONTE RECEIVING THE GLOBAL EXCHANGE HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 14, 2004)

SPEECH OF

HON. BARBARA LEE

OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2004

• Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Belafonte both a friend and mentor as he receives the Global Exchange Human Rights Award. I share his passion for civil rights, social justice, peace, lifting the embargo on Cuba, and eradicating poverty both abroad and at home.
• Recently, I introduced legislation to create a national Caribbean-American Heritage Month, and Mr. Belafonte was a primary influence in developing this legislation. Born in New York, but raised in Jamaica, Mr. Belafonte served our country and beyond in many ways; throughout his career, Mr. Belafonte has worked to unite the international community for just causes.
• When people think of Mr. Belafonte, they may remember him for his album Calypso being the first to sell over 1 million copies with his hit the Banana Boat, or they may reminisce of his scenes as the co-star in the historic adaptation of Bizet's opera, ``Carmen'' titled ``Carmen Jones.''
• Many will recall Mr. Belafonte marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King and leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King was later to say, ``Belafonte's global popularity and his commitment to our cause is a key ingredient to the global struggle for freedom and a powerful tactical weapon in the Civil Rights movement here in America.''
• Belafonte was named to the Board of Directors of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and at Dr. King's death, he became one of three executors of the great leader's estate. I commend him for his tireless efforts in championing the rights of people here in the United States and beyond.
• Showing that his talents were not limited to making history in just music and politics, Mr. Belafonte became the first African-American producer in television. His company went on to produce one Emmy-nominated success after another for the three major networks--``The Strollin' Twenties,'' written by the famed author Langston Hughes, starring such great performers as Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Duke Ellington and ``A Time for Laughter,'' featuring Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Moms Mabley and Pigmeat Markham. The format of this special set became the model for the TV comedy series, ``Laugh-In.''
• In 1960 he was named by President John F. Kennedy as cultural advisor to the Peace Corps; this position inspired Mr. Belafonte's development of our similar passion for the people of the African continent. Twenty-five years later, Mr. Belafonte won an Emmy for the all-star We Are the World video, calling global attention to war and famine crises throughout Africa.
• Two years later, he was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, only the second American to hold that title. In this capacity, Mr. Belafonte created an historic symposium in Dakar, Senegal for the immunization of African children. The positive response to this symposium led to a successful campaign for the eradication of curable diseases among African children. This work was continued in a convention called ``Children of the Front Line'' in Harare, Zimbabwe. As part of this effort, with the largest concentration of African artists ever assembled, Mr. Belafonte performed a concert benefiting UNICEF.
• Mr. Speaker, there is much more that I would like to share about this living legend who has left a mark on our world. Clearly, Mr. Belafonte is laudable recipient of this award, which highlights his contributions toward securing human rights and freedoms locally and throughout the world. Most importantly, I am proud and honored to call ``Harry'' my friend.
• I thank you for giving me the opportunity to honor Mr. Belafonte, a World War II veteran, musician, visionary, activist, and my brother, in the struggle for social justice and peace.