John Conyers Jr.<fax# 202-225-0072> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 1997
Dear Chancellor Broski:
I want to join my colleagues, Representatives Danny K. Davis and Bobby Rush, in their support of a Maxwell Street Preservation District. I urge you to do everything within your power to ensure that the last physical vestiges of a seminal American cultural space are not erased.
As you may know, I have a very deep interest in American music, especially Blues and Jazz. In fact, 1997 is the 10th anniversary of House Concurrent Resolution 57, also know as the "Conyers Jazz Bill." H. Con Res. 57 designates Jazz, "as a rare and valuable national American treasure to which we should devote our attention, support and resources to make certain it is preserved, understood, and promulgated."
The ideas contained in H. Con Res. 57 are equally applicable to Blues. I am sure that a great many Chicagoans have reminded you of how important Maxwell Street is to the identity of Chicago. Maxwell Street's significance transcends Chicago. It was one of the great crucibles of our nation's culture. I believe it is important, a cultural imperative, to preserve Maxwell Street.
I was pleased to learn that the university has agreed, for the time being, not to tear down key buildings at the intersection of Halsted and Maxwell Streets. It was unfortunate that much of the Maxwell Street market was destroyed some years ago. It would be tragic if any more of the Maxwell Street area were eliminated, especially that intersection which is so central to the history of the area.
Sincerely,
John Conyers, Jr.
Member of Congress
web page provided by OPENAIR-MARKET NET
return to Preserve Maxwell Street