S.Con.Res. 50Senate111th Congress (2009-2011)In Committee

A concurrent resolution recognizing the historic founding of the Black Stuntmen's Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women.

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Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S802)

Judiciary Committee

February 25, 2010

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Introduced in Senate

February 25, 2010

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Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S802-803)

February 25, 2010

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S802)

Judiciary Committee

February 25, 2010

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What members said about S.Con.Res. 50 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Harry ReidD-NV · Feb 25, 2010

Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge a group that has created opportunities for countless African American men and women in the film and television industry. I rise to submit this Senate…

Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge a group that has created opportunities for countless African American men and women in the film and television industry. I rise to submit this Senate Concurrent Resolution honoring the Black Stuntmen's Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women for their efforts to not only integrate, but enhance the television and film industry. This is a companion resolution identical to H. Con. Res. 190 submitted by my good friend, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley.

I take great pride in submitting this resolution not only because these individuals knocked down the walls of racial discrimination, but also because many of these pioneers now reside in my home State of Nevada.

In the 1950s and 1960s few African Americans had roles in television or film and rarely were given the opportunity to work as stuntmen and women. Most often, the few opportunities available to individuals willing to engage the dangerous work as stuntmen were taken by whites, who donned dark make-up to look like the black actors they were portraying.

To overcome the barrier of racism and many other obstacles to the entertainment industry, in 1967 a group of courageous men and women formed the Black Stuntmen's Association. Even though many had to work other jobs, they took it upon themselves to train each other, often meeting three to four nights a week for several hours. They trained in parks, on beaches and just about anywhere they could set up equipment to practice tumbles and flips. They eventually progressed to disciplined training in automotives and driving techniques for cars and motorcycles.

These individuals are pioneers and would later work with the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women to fight racism in the entertainment industry. Their collective efforts have created opportunities for many that once never existed.

Eddie Smith; Earnie Robinson; Alex Brown; S.J. McGee;

Harold Jones; Calvin Brown; Doug Lawrence; Cliff Strong;

Alonzo Brown; Willie Harris; Joe Tilque; Henry Kingi; Marvin

Walters; Richard Washington; Jolly Brown; Greg Elam; William

Upton; Wayne King, Sr.; Len Glascow; Evelyn Cuffee; Jade

David; Sharon Schaffer; Kym Washington; Louise Johnson; Toni

Vaz; Dewitt Fonder; John Mitchell; Henry Graddy; Darell

Giddens; Tony Brubaker; Bob Minor; Jophery Brown; Bennie

Moore; Allen Oliney; John Sherrod.

While erasing the stains for racism is a never-ending task, I commend the Black Stuntmen's Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women for their work on behalf of the entertainment industry and our nation.

I hope my colleagues will join me and honoring them and cosponsor this resolution.

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 25, 2010

III

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. CON. RES. 50

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 25, 2010

Mr. Reid (for himself, Mr. Burris, Mrs. Boxer, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historic founding of the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women.

Whereas a group of African-American stuntmen, athletes, and extras founded the Black Stuntmen’s Association in Los Angeles, California, in 1967 to combat racial discrimination and create equal opportunities for all people of color in the motion picture and television stunt industry;

Whereas the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women was formed in 1973 to continue the fight against racial bias in the industry;

Whereas motion picture and television productions at the time commonly featured White stuntmen and women as stunt doubles for African-American actors and those of other races, using makeup to darken their complexion in a process known as a “paint-down”;

Whereas African-Americans were routinely denied job opportunities and formal training in the stunt industry due to lingering racism;

Whereas the increased use of African-American actors in motion pictures and television in the 1960s brought more attention to the common industry practice of using only White stuntmen and women;

Whereas the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women pursued legal action to bring additional diversity to the motion picture and television industry and continued to monitor compliance with the resulting agreements;

Whereas the original members of the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women paved the way for greater racial equality in the motion picture and television industry in the ensuing years, but in many cases were unable to benefit from their hard-won victory;

Whereas the efforts of the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women also helped tear down discriminatory barriers and prejudices in other parts of the motion picture and television industry, both in front of and behind the camera; and

Whereas members of the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women have made a significant and lasting contribution to the quality of motion picture and television productions in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress—

(1)

recognizes the historic founding of the Black Stuntmen’s Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women, and

(2)

honors the contributions of these organizations and their members in the fight for racial equality and justice in the motion picture and television industry.