Congresswoman Maxine Waters Mourns the Death of Don Cornelius, African-American Television Show Host and Producer

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Don Cornelius. Don was the brilliant mind that founded Soul Train, the African-American counterpart to American Bandstand, which created the platform for African-American youth and artists to display their talent on the national stage," said Congresswoman Waters.

Born in Chicago, Don Cornelius was originally a journalist inspired by the civil rights movement. In the late 1960's Cornelius recognized that there was no television venue in the United States for soul music, and introduced many African-American musicians to a larger audience as a result of their appearances on Soul Train, a program that was both influential among African-Americans and popular with a wider audience.

"Soul Train was responsible for exposing America to the true essence of Black culture through music, fashion and dance every week and continued to keep Americans glued to their televisions sets every weekend from 1971 to 2006. Serving as its host and executive producer, Don was responsible for catapulting the careers of countless acts that you and I continue to enjoy today," said the Congresswoman.

As writer, producer, and host of Soul Train, Cornelius was instrumental in offering worldwide exposure to black musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers that would presage subsequent television dance programs. Spike Lee described the program as an "urban music time capsule." Soul Train currently holds the honor of the longest, continuously running first-run syndicated program in television history.

"In 2000, I had the pleasure of working with Don while organizing an extravaganza for the National Democratic Convention in Los Angeles. His role as Producer for this event was essential to its success and displayed stellar entertainment for the African-American community unlike anything that had been done before at the National Democratic Convention. I will forever be in debted to him for his vital role in the perpetuation and preservation of Black culture in America and making people proud to be Black. Don Cornelius was a great friend, genius and purveyor of Black culture and he will truly be missed," said Congresswoman Waters.

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