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Breakfast Sponsored by Comcast, Toyota and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Draws 450 Community Leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, February 12, 2005
CLINTON, MD – Congressman Steny Hoyer today attended the 24th Annual Black History Month Breakfast in Clinton where he was joined by Senator Paul Sarbanes and Tony Brown, host of Tony Brown’s Journal on PBS, who gave the keynote address. Over 450 community leaders from Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties attended the event to pay tribute to Black History Month and to celebrate the theme, Peace, Unity, Solidarity and Hope.
Congressman Hoyer helped start this annual breakfast in 1982 after being elected to Congress in 1981 and has attended the breakfast every single year since to recognize the critical role African Americans have played in the founding and developing of our country and to share in fellowship and friendship with community leaders in recognition of Black History Month. The Lackey High School Jazz Ensemble and Nikayla Tucker from Mitchellville provided the musical entertainment for the event.
“For the past 24 years, this breakfast has provided our community with an opportunity to discuss how our shared history frames our future,” said Congressman Hoyer. "In sharing in this morning of friendship and fellowship, we together celebrate the contributions of African Americans whose hearts are not hardened by the toils of history, but who are committed to building families and communities, and a better nation.”
Senator Paul Sarbanes said of the breakfast, “after nearly a quarter of a century, this qualifies as a tradition.” He added that this breakfast gives us an opportunity to “recognize the strength that comes from diversity.”
Congressman Hoyer recognized all of the teachers in attendance, and left a message with the young people, “you must recognize that many people have died for, bled for and have made extraordinary sacrifice so that you will have the opportunities you have. As a result, young people have a responsibility to strive for excellence and it will be both a payment for the past and your legacy for the future.
“We are honored to have Tony Brown join us today, who has distinguished himself as a producer, bestselling author, educator, radio host, television commentator and film director. Now, he has entered the history books – not only in the arena of civil rights, as he helped organize and lead one of the largest marches in history in Detroit, Michigan for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but also in the field of education.
“Tony was the founding dean, as well as a professor, of the school of communications at Howard University, where he established a highly distinguished academic and professional record. He is also the commentator for the PBS series Tony Brown’s journal, the longest-running series in PBS history. He is a historic leader in America who has enriched our lives,” Hoyer added.
Tony Brown participated in this year’s breakfast at the request of Congressman Hoyer. Brown, called “Television’s Civil Rights Crusader” by Black Enterprise magazine, was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and his Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit. He has received numerous honorary doctorate degrees for his achievements in civil rights, education, economics and journalism. And, he is the winner of the very prestigious National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Silver Circle Award.
Mr. Brown talked about the lessons he learned about humanity from his Mama, also chronicled in his recently released book, “What Mama Taught Me.” He believes that a “reasoning problem,” not a racial problem is blocking Dr. King’s dream of equality and is perpetuating racism in America. He believes we can solve this “reasoning problem” by education people about the human race and told the audience that Black History Month must be “transforming and liberating,” and ought to be a re-dedication of service to others.
And, he thanked Congressman Hoyer for “being human enough to be a human being. It says legions about our nation that Congressman Hoyer and Senator Sarbanes are here this Saturday morning celebrating Black History Month.”
Following Mr. Brown’s remarks, Congressman Hoyer added, “Tony was a soldier and is now a great general who is enriching the vision of people to help them make themselves better and know their own reality and we are so grateful that he shared his vision with us today.”
Previous guest speakers who have participated in this Black History Month celebration include Vernon Jordan, Donna Brazile, Jesse Jackson, Elijah Cummings, Kweisi Mfume, Congressman John Lewis, Carmen Turner, Anthony Williams and Leon Harris.
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