CONTACT: Renee Ferguson
(773) 224-6500 ofc.; (202) 674-0891 mobile
Renee.Ferguson@mail.house.gov

CHICAGO — Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) made the following remarks during a morning news conference at the Harbor at 31st Street this morning.  He was joined by Congressman Danny K. Davis, civic, political and arts community leaders in advocating for this tribute to Dr. Margaret Burroughs.

“We are here today to make a suggestion to the Chicago Park District Board of Directors that we really shouldn’t even have to make.

We’re here to remind them to do something that they should have already done.

Something obvious.

Something simple.

Something beautiful.

And something that is absolutely right!

Name the 31st Street Harbor and beach…this beautiful place where we stand today after Dr. Margaret Burroughs.

Give this place that is a historic gateway to the Bronzeville Community a name that is more than just a location.  It’s been the 31st Street Beach for a very long time but now that is just not good enough.

Our community deserves that respect and Dr. Burroughs, who was a powerful advocate for African and African-American art and literature as well as a painter and prolific author and poet herself, deserves this level of recognition.

The fact that this place is now a harbor is not lost on those of us who knew Margaret Burroughs.

During the 1940’s her house, located less than three miles from here, stood as a harbor of another kind for black artists whose work was not recognized as legitimate by the white arts establishment.

When nobody would put our paintings on their walls, Dr. Burroughs did!  When the main museums of this country wouldn’t collect black art Dr. Burroughs did.  When the galleries wouldn’t sell our work, she did.  Her contribution to the growth and development of African-American artists in Chicago and the nation was tremendous.

But beginning the 1940’s her home was a port…a harbor, protected from the rough waters of segregation…a place of appreciation for creativity and talent that was too often starved of oxygen under an ocean of disrespect.

When the mainstream critics refused to see our painful journey on canvas and in clay and in cloth as true art, Dr. Burroughs said “Oh yes it is!” and she kept on saying it until she was heard…until our work was appreciated.  She kept on showing it until nobody dared to look away anymore.

Dr. Burroughs cofounded the DuSable Museum and the South Side Community Art Center and she served the City of Chicago on the Park District Board until her death in 2010.

Congressman Davis and I have sent a letter to the President of the Park District Board to make this request official.  When the Board meets on August 8th we’re expecting a unanimous vote on behalf of this great idea that is long overdue.

The sailors who leave from Burroughs Harbor will no doubt be inspired by her story of rough seas navigated with faith and skill.

The children who play at Burroughs Harbor Beach will learn her story and realize that sometimes you have to swim against the tide to get where you need to go.

Families who come here will be encouraged to look for what is creative in their children.  Arts education programs and experiences inspired by Dr. Burroughs’ work should be a regular part of the menu of activities.

All who come here will be reminded of the beauty of nature, the importance of tranquility, and the power of art to enrich our lives in ways that money never will.

It is our belief that the Park District Board members would never think of doing anything but the right thing!

They need to just get it straight on August 8th and vote to name this place Margaret Burroughs Harbor.”

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