September 24, 2001 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 17817 Compliance and Corporate Secretary from Study and Performance of . The Univer- cer and Sonny Burke) has become a beloved BellSouth Corporation of Georgia in June sity, however, did not just discover and ac- classic in American Jazz and popular music. 1998. knowledge ’s genius, it did so His talent in the symphonic field is highly re- He exemplifies strong character, leadership, many years ago by launching the Lionel spected. Two major symphonic works, ‘‘King fine management skills, and a dedication to Hampton Jazz Festival in 1984, It reaffirmed David Suite’’ and ‘‘Blues Suite’’ have been improving education and his local community. its reverence of Hampton in 1987 by estab- performed often by leading orchestras Each of these qualities are demonstrated lishing the Lionel Hampton School of Music; throughout the world. through the position he holds on several the first music school named in honor of a Despite the rigors of his hectic calendar, boards including the University of Georgia jazz musician. Hampton continues to amaze those in the Foundation, Berry College, American Cancer Born April 12, 1909, in Louisville Kentucky, music business with the care and time he de- Society, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Lionel Hampton has for 70 years been a giant votes to many public service projects. A Education, and Georgia Industry Trade and in the field of jazz. Many highlights of his ca- ‘‘dream’’ of his would be to aid in the creation Tourism. reer are noted in the following excerpts from of a university in Uptown New York ‘‘. . . We hate to see him retire from his position a biography prepared by the University of where young Black kids can learn to be Doc- as Chairman of the National Board of Advisors Idaho: tors, Lawyers, IBM technicians, and, maybe established for the Museum of Aviation in Lionel Hampton began his phenomenal mu- even musicians.’’ Warner Robins, Georgia where he has served sical career at an early age when a student at Mr. Speaker, Lionel Hampton has estab- since 1993. He and his wife have personally the Holy Rosary Academy in Kenosha, Wis- lished himself one of our nation’s greatest cul- donated their time, money, and hard work to consin, where he studied under the strict su- tural heroes and ambassadors. Therefore, I guarantee the educational programs offered pervision of the Dominican Sisters. His first in- urge all Members to join me in paying him this strument was a set of drums and his idol dur- by the museum have grown to reach 62,000 well deserved tribute. ing these early years was drummer Jimmy children a year. He has been responsible for f Bertrand whose records he treasured. Louis raising millions of dollars from corporations Armstrong soon became a major influence in STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST and foundations throughout the country to Hamp’s young years. It was in 1930 that Arm- SIKHS benefit the museum. His leadership has been strong hired him to appear, on the drums, at vital in the expansion and success of the mu- a Los Angeles nightclub engagement. Louis seum and the educational programs associ- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS was so impressed with Hampton’s talents he ated with it. He is now heading a campaign OF NEW YORK invited him to join his for a recording called Century 2000 The Next Generation to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES session. During the session break, Armstrong Monday, September 24, 2001 raise 30 million dollars for the expansion of led young Hampton to a set of vibes and the museum and its programs. asked if he knew how to play them. Lionel, Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I was distressed Setting high standards, hard work and dedi- who was well schooled in his keyboard stud- to hear that on Saturday, September 15, a cation have ensured his continued success. ies, picked up the mallets and played. The first Sikh named Balbir Singh Sodhi, who owned a We all appreciate his service to the industry, tune cut that day, ‘‘,’’ (with gas station in Mesa, Arizona, was murdered at the Museum of Aviation, and the 8th District of Lionel on vibes) became a tremendous hit and his place of business. It appears that he was Georgia. He is a spectacular example of a fine has remained a classic throughout the years. killed because of his turban and beard, which businessman, family man, and role model for In 1936, asked Lionel to are required by the Sikh religion. Apparently, people of all ages. I wish him all the best in join his small group, featuring Goodman, his killer thought that Mr. Sodhi was a follower his retirement and continued success in all his on piano, and on of Osama bin Laden. future endeavors. drums. They immediately became the leg- This was just one of well over 100 acts of f endary Benny Goodman Quartet. Musical his- harassment or violence against Sikhs in the ‘‘THE KING OF VIBES’’ tory was being made, both for the brilliant week since the terrorist bombings of the Pen- music produced, and because they were the tagon and the World Trade Center. A list of first racially integrated group of jazz musi- these acts can be found by visiting http:// HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. cians. The had begun. www.sikh.org/hatecrime. OF MICHIGAN ‘‘Moonglow,’’ ‘‘Dinah,’’ and ‘‘Vibraphone Blues’’ This past Tuesday, just one week after the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES were immediate hits and will always remain terrorists carried out their brutal acts, the Monday, September 24, 2001 classics in the jazz annals. Hampton formed Council of Khalistan held a press conference his own band in the early 1940’s. ‘‘Sunny Side at the National Press Club to denounce these Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, as the Dean of the Street,’’ ‘‘Central Avenue Breakdown,’’ crimes against Sikhs and other minorities. Dr. of the Congressional Black Caucus, and chair- his signature tune, ‘‘,’’ and Gurmit Singh Aulakh, the President of the man of its annual Jazz Issue Forum and Con- ‘‘Hamp’s Boogie-Woogie’’all became top-of- Council of Khalistan, made some excellent re- cert, I rise to call to this body’s attention the the-chart best-sellers upon release and the marks. He called on the Attorney General to achievements of a distinguished American, Mr. name Lionel Hampton became world famous investigate and called on the victims of these Lionel Hampton. At the age of 92, he con- overnight. crimes to contact their local prosecutors and tinues a career that has brought him inter- The Lionel Hampton Orchestra had a phe- police. At this time, I would like to insert Dr. national acclaim as a musician, composer, nomenal array of sidemen. Among those who Aulakh’s remarks into the RECORD so that we and bandleader. I am extremely honored that got their start with Hamp were: Quincy Jones, can all have a better understanding of this he will be my guest here in Washington, DC, Wes Montgomery, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, problem. on Thursday, September 27, 2001, during the Ernie Royal, and . REMARKS OF DR. GURMIT SINGH AULAKH Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s An- Among Lionel’s proteges were singers Dinah Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media: Thank nual Legislative Conference. That evening, my Washington, Joe Williams, Betty Carter and colleagues and I will have the opportunity to you for coming today. I want to talk to you . Over the years, jazz giant about a very important issue. Then I will be thank him for the great pleasure that his life’s Hampton has received innumerable pres- open-for questions. Sikh Americans, Muslim work has brought to us, and to millions across tigious awards, which keep coming to the dis- Americans, Christian Americans, our neigh- this nation and around the world. tinguished musical master. Among them: The bors and countrymen, are being harassed and The Congressional Black Caucus is not title, American Goodwill Ambassador, be- acts of violence are being committed against alone this year in recognizing the magnifi- stowed by Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, them merely because of their religious or cence of what Lionel Hampton has accom- The Papal Medal from Pope Paul I, Sixteen ethnic heritage. All Americans should join plished. On January 31, 2001, the Smithso- together to condemn these cowardly acts. Honorary Doctorates, and in 1992 the highly On behalf of the 2 1—million strong Sikh nian Institution’s National Museum of Amer- esteemed Award, in Nation and more than 500,000 Sikhs in the ican History added ‘‘Hamp’s’’ vibraphone to its which he shared the musical distinction with United States, I strongly condemn these acts collection of ‘‘national treasures.’’ In addition, Mstislav Rostropovich. of violence. I condemn the violence against on February 22, 2001, the University of Idaho Also a celebrated composer, Hamp’s origi- Muslim Americans and I condemn the at- dedicated the Lionel Hampton Center for the nal ballad, ‘‘Midnight Sun’’ (with Johnny Mer- tacks on Sikh Americans. There have been