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Home , Albert King (basketball), Home of the Blues, The Neville Brothers, Wayman Tisdale

July 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8043 would hope we’ll take such actions Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the soon. I urge all of the Members to support opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize each the passage of H. Res. 469. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. of the nine individuals who perished in the I rise in support of H.R. 469 honoring the Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, June 22 Metrorail crash on the Red Line and life of star and jazz musician on that I demand the yeas and nays. I pray that we will never have to experience and expressing condolences The yeas and nays were ordered. such a tragedy again. to his family on his death. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- However, I want to single out the life and Today, we honor Wayman Tisdale, for his ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the service of my Northern Virginia constituent, life accomplishments and for his demonstra- Chair’s prior announcement, further Jeanice McMillan of Springfield, who was the tion of positive thinking, particularly in the last proceedings on this motion will be operator of one of the trains involved in the couple of years of his life as he battled can- postponed. crash. cer. f In the moments before she lost her life in Mr. Tisdale’s inspirational and enthusiastic CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC the line of duty, Ms. McMillan’s prompt and way in which he lived his life serves as an ex- professional actions undoubtedly saved the MONTH ample for us all. He was a star basketball Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to lives of many passengers riding in the front player, showing a profound gift for the sport cars of the train. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- during his time at Oklahoma University in the Investigators have determined that Ms. Mc- lution (H. Res. 476) celebrating the 30th Millan successfully activated the manual emer- mid-1980s. He is considered an OU basketball anniversary of June as ‘‘Black Music gency brakes in an attempt to slow down the legend, having been a three-time All-American Month,’’ as amended. train as it hurtled toward the Fort Totten sta- during his time at the university and was OU’s The Clerk read the title of the resolu- tion after the train’s automatic controls failed all-time leader in scoring and field goal per- tion. to react to the presence of another train on centage. Mr. Tisdale was a member of the The text of the resolution is as fol- the tracks ahead of it. men’s basketball team in the 1984 Olympics lows: Unfortunately, Ms. McMillan and eight pas- and assisted in their gold medal win. H. Res. 476 sengers died when the front car of her train He went on to be the second overall pick in Whereas in 1979, the month of June was telescoped in the horrific crash. the 1985 NBA Draft by the , proclaimed ‘‘Black Music Month’’ and all Ms. McMillan began her career at Metro in and played for a total of 12 NBA seasons for people in the were encouraged 2007, after a decade of service in the United the Pacers, the , and the to learn more about the important role that States Postal Service. By all accounts, she until his retirement from the African-American artists have played in was an exemplary and conscientious public NBA in 1997. shaping history and culture; Though his professional basketball career Whereas America’s rich heritage is influ- employee who put the welfare of others ahead enced by the diversity of its people and the of her own in her private and professional came to an end at that , Mr. Tisdale did important contributions of Black culture; lives. not, in any sense, slow down. He continued to Whereas America’s cultural story is heav- Ms. McMillan made sacrifices at home to participate in basketball camps for youngsters. ily influenced by the celebration and strug- help fund her son Jordan’s college education He also became known as a talented jazz mu- gle of Black people through their musical ex- just as she made the ultimate sacrifice at work sician, releasing his first CD in 1995, which pression; to save the lives of others in the moments be- achieved the Number four spot on Billboard’s Whereas many genres of music, such as fore the two Metro trails collided on that fateful Contemporary Jazz chart and also gained a gospel, jazz, blues, , rhythm and day. spot on the R&B charts. His subsequent al- blues, and soul that were an integral part of As I have done privately, I express my American culture, trace their roots back to bums were also successful, with many earning the banks of the Mississippi River in cities deepest condolences to the McMillan family, spots on Billboard’s Top 10. particularly Vernard and Jordan, and I wish like Memphis, St. Louis, , and Mr. Tisdale’s accomplishments in his life are other cities like Kansas City and Chicago; them all the best. a reflection of his motivational frame of mind. Whereas the amount of musical talent and Since the wreck, there has been renewed He was noted and admired for his positive skill that came from the Mississippi Delta interest in the relatively poor safety record of thinking, even after he was diagnosed with and the myriad of towns in this region is un- the aging 1000–series cars, like the one that bone cancer in 2007. The diagnosis led to sur- deniable; telescoped so dramatically in the wreck. geries and eventually the amputation of his Whereas these genres of music illustrate Today, 290 of these 1000–series cars are in the complexities of the African-American ex- right leg, but Mr. Tisdale never lost his positive Metrorail’s fleet of 1,126 cars. If Congress and perience and they give a voice to many so- outlook. the President approve funding the Federal cial movements and inspiration to countless Sadly, Mr. Tisdale passed away suddenly Government’s $150 million matching share of generations of people in the United States; on May 15, 2009. Though he has left this dedicated funding, there will be sufficient rev- Whereas as early as the 1860s, the ragtime world, he will forever be remembered for the artist Scott Joplin broadened the operatic enue to replace these with much safer cars optimistic and confident manner in which he and classical worlds and Black traveling that are less prone to telescoping. led his life and, by example, encouraged us to brass bands trekked to Beale Street in Mem- The regional delegation has been working phis, ‘‘Home of the Blues and Birthplace of tirelessly to ensure that the Federal govern- do the same. In a press interview in June of 2008, he said Rock and Roll’’, to perform; ment matches the $150 million that Virginia, Whereas gospel music and its artists like Maryland, and Washington, D.C., have already ‘‘You go through things. You don’t change be- Thomas Dorsey, Lucy Campbell, Dr. Herbert identified to ensure that the Washington Met- cause things come in your life. You get better Brewster, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Frank- ropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) can con- because things come in your life.’’ lin, Shirley Caesar, and Kirk Franklin are a duct the necessary maintenance to prevent Many people can attest that they are better special part of the American tradition that disasters like this in the future. for having had Mr. Tisdale as a role model spawned future musical genres; I appreciate the leadership of Chairman and a part of their lives. I rise today and ask Whereas the mid-20th Century saw the emergence of groundbreaking jazz and blues JOHN OLVER from the Appropriations Transpor- my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Tis- dale and expressing our condolences to his artists such as W.C. Handy, Bessie Smith, tation Subcommittee for including this request Lena Horne, Charlie Parker, Lionel Hamp- in his mark up this week, and I thank my col- family in his passing by supporting H. Res. ton, Max Roach, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, leagues-from the National Capital Region for 469. Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, their commitment to ensuring that WMATA I yield back the balance of my time. Etta James, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, has the resources it needs to provide the Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I strong- Thelonious Monk, Wynton Marsalis, Louis safest possible transit service. ly urge my colleagues to join me in Armstrong, Professor Longhair, James I ask my colleagues to join us in honoring supporting H. Res. 469, and I yield back Booker, , Muddy Waters, the lives of those lost by supporting the nec- the balance of my time. and B.B. King; The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Whereas conductor and producer Quincy essary investments to help ensure such trage- Jones was heavily influenced by the dies are prevented in the future. question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from the District of improvisational nature of jazz performed in Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, Harlem by Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, I reserve the balance of my time. Columbia (Ms. NORTON) that the House and Dizzy Gillespie; Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no suspend the rules and agree to the reso- Whereas multifaceted ex- further speakers so I am prepared to lution, H. Res. 469. panded the African Diaspora’s music by in- reserve. The question was taken. troducing calypso to America; Odetta,

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They have and roll music and help to create ; Additionally, this resolution enjoys the illustrated the personal experiences Whereas legends like James Brown, Bo support of nearly 70 Members, of which through their music, thus inspiring Diddley, and Little Richard helped the tran- I am included. millions of fans and countless genera- sition from blues to rock & roll music with Mr. Speaker, as we celebrated Black tions of Americans. ease, Tina Turner riveted sold out audiences Music Month this past June, I thought I ask my colleagues to join me in domestically and abroad, and Jimi Hendrix of the impact African American music support of this resolution celebrating created a new musical form; has had on American culture. Both so- the 30th anniversary of June as Black Whereas Jackie Brentson, Howlin’ Wolf, The Staple Singers, Otis Redding, Rufus and cially and artistically, Black music is Music Month. Carla Thomas, Al Green, Willie Mitchell, one of the most interesting trends in I reserve the balance of my time. Johnny Taylor, Isaac Hayes, and American history. African American Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, we will David Porter combined to place more than music finds its roots in the slave cul- yield as much time as he needs to our 167 hit songs in the Billboard Top 10 Pop ture of the rural South of the United distinguished Member from Tennessee, charts and a staggering 243 hits in the Top States. Blues and gospel music comes Representative STEVE COHEN. 100 R&B charts at Sun Studios, Hi Records, from the plantation songs of slaves. As Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I would and Stax Records in Memphis; Blacks moved north into cities such as like to thank the distinguished Rep- Whereas Stax, dubbed ‘‘Soulsville USA’’, resentative from California (Ms. WAT- had a revolutionary sound that earned eight Memphis and St. Louis, Chicago and Grammys and an Oscar; Detroit in the early parts of the 20th SON) for the time. Whereas the empire attracted cre- century, the music transitioned and be- H. Res. 476 celebrates the 30th anni- ative individuals such as Smokey Robinson, came urbanized. Blues became jazz and versary of Black Music Month. It was The Four Tops, Holland Dozier Holland, Mar- combined with gospel music to form first introduced by President Jimmy tha Reeves, The Temptations, The Supremes, soul. Carter, and President Carter recog- Marvin Gaye, The Jacksons, and Stevie Won- It was not until the post-World War nized the influence—I guess, the der to Detroit; II era that mainstream America began Waldons kind of helped President Whereas Hitsville USA produced an aston- to feel the effects of Black music when Carter get going in Georgia, in Macon, ishing amount of Top 100 hits that spanned over three decades and by the 1970s was the musical geniuses such as Robert John- Georgia, and of course that was James largest independent record company in the son, Muddy Waters, Louis Jordan, B.B. Brown, and there were a whole lot of world; King, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little folks there that Jimmy Carter was im- Whereas by the 1970s and 80s, new genres of Richard and countless others began to pressed with and the Allman Brothers, music emerged in the form of , rhythm play on the radio. too, but he certainly was a James and blues, hip hop, and rap in cities across In the 1960s, soul music and rhythm Brown guy in Georgia. the country including , Philadel- and blues crossed over Black music fur- b 1345 phia, New York City, and ; ther into the mainstream. Black music Whereas African-American music illus- I was at an event this weekend, Mr. trates exceptional musicianship; legends such as James Brown and Berry Gordy’s Detroit Motown ma- Speaker, in Memphis at Anthony F. Whereas African-American composers, Elmore’s home honoring African cul- writers, singers, instrumentalists, and pro- chine and Jimi Hendrix let the world ducers are at the top of many charts and in know that Black music was a force to ture, and there was a gentleman who the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Blues be reckoned with. played the drums at the beginning of Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of As Black music moved into the 1970s the presentation. And after he finished Fame; and 1980s, it took new forms. Disco, he made a comment. He said, Without Whereas African-American music embodies rap, and a new form of rhythm and Africa, there would not be a beat. an original expression of the human experi- blues would produce modern-era musi- There wouldn’t be a beat. ence by entertaining, inspiring, and stirring cal geniuses, such as the greatest en- And I thought about that and I countless people in the United States and thought about this resolution and real- around the world; and tertainer of all time who just recently Whereas June 2009 marks the 30th anniver- passed, Michael Jackson. Other musi- ized that he was correct. The beat’s sary of ‘‘Black Music Month’’: Now, there- cal greats, like George Clinton; Prince; what it’s about, a lot of folks believe. fore, be it and Kurtis Blow; Earth, Wind & Fire; It’s what makes music what it is or Resolved, That the House of Representa- and a host of others also helped Black rock and roll or blues or jazz. A lot of tives celebrates the goals and ideals of music grow to phenomenal levels. times, I mean it’s lyrics and so many ‘‘Black Music Month’’. So what is the impact of Black things, but the beat’s what it is, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- music? The impact of Black music that’s what’s unique about this con- ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from most notably is it told mainstream tribution to music is the beat. California (Ms. WATSON) and the gen- America that it is okay to express your It came from the Mississippi River. It tleman from Georgia (Mr. WESTMORE- feelings and your emotions as you see came from the Delta. Memphis is the LAND) each will control 20 minutes. them. Black music informed America home of the blues and the birthplace of The Chair recognizes the gentle- what was going on in African American rock and roll. It’s my hometown, and woman from California. communities, and it broke barriers St. Louis had the blues, too. W.C. GENERAL LEAVE that allowed Black people to further Handy was from Memphis and a great Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask integrate into American society. innovator, and he spent time in both unanimous consent that all Members So, Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all of Memphis and in St. Louis. And then if may have 5 legislative days in which to my colleagues to support the 30th anni- you spin off a little bit to Kansas City, revise and extend their remarks. versary of Black Music Month. Charlie Parker, who was really the fa- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there I reserve the remainder of my time. ther of bebop and jazz, and Kansas objection to the request of the gentle- Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, City, where they’ve got a jazz museum, woman from California? I yield myself as much time as I may and he got a special kind of music There was no objection. consume. going and went to New York with Dizzy Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield American music reflects the cul- Gillespie and Max Roach and some myself such time as I may consume. turally diverse heritage of the United other jazz greats and brought a jazz Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Com- States. It is almost impossible to envi- form that I guess had its roots not only mittee on Oversight and Government sion American music without recog- in Kansas City, but also in New Orleans Reform, I present H. Res. 476 for con- nizing the influence and contributions with Louis Armstrong and James sideration. This resolution expresses from African Americans. The roots of Booker, who was such a great keyboard our support for the goals and the ideals Black music can be traced to the Mis- performer and gave birth to folks like of Black Music Month. sissippi Delta and cities such as New Professor Longhair that tickled the

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And I think there was a in support of H. Res. 476, which celebrates it came from—whether it be gospel, as lot of African American music that the thirtieth anniversary of Black Music Month. Ms. WATSON commented, or blues, it helped make the civil rights movement Music has long been intertwined with the evolved and brought about a new art happen and make people understand, Black experience, especially in the United form. by identifying with performers in States. Its roots stretch back to the rhythms of In Memphis, we had Stax Records, music in ways they otherwise could not Africa which were first brought to the shores of where Otis Redding from Georgia came identify with African Americans be- America by our enslaved ancestors hundreds to record his music. Isaac Hayes, my cause of our segregated society, about of years ago. good friend and who was a chief in how wrong it was that segregation ex- Black music also provided the soundtrack to Ghana and passed just about a year ago isted and allow an opportunity for peo- freedom and the Civil Rights Movement. The this month, produced Shaft, and he ple to see that from a more personal, movement’s unofficial anthem, ‘‘We Shall took a special experience to Los Ange- visceral level, and to make this coun- Overcome,’’ and other Negro spirituals were les with the Watts Music Festival. And try change and become the more per- sung by civil rights marchers in churches and Isaac Hayes was performance art and fect union that it needs to become and on the road from Selma to Montgomery. just beyond music. He was a unique in- to live up to the ideals that our Found- Today, it is almost impossible to imagine a dividual who took a certain style and a ing Fathers had about a society where style of contemporary music that has not been certain music. Isaac never knew how to all men were created equal, which real- influenced by Black music. Jazz, gospel, rock read music but he knew how to write it ly wasn’t true for so many years. and roll, rap, hip hop, R&B—all of these styles and produce it, and he was a genuine I think music has had a great influ- have become highly influential in the United American, unique musician and hero. ence, and black music has had an influ- States and across the globe. African American Isaac Hayes came out of Memphis, ence on our country that is special, and composers, writers, singers, instrumentalists, the Bar-Kays and so many people out the reason we honor Black Music and producers also are at the top of many of Stax Records. There was also Hi Month is we remember those ideals and music charts. They have been enshrined in Records in Memphis where Willie remember these people that were cre- the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall Mitchell produced Al Green. And Mem- ative in our society over the years. of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. phis is very proud of its musical herit- Some young people don’t know about Musicians such as Elvis Presley, the Rolling age, which is preserved in the Stax jazz. They don’t know about a Lionel Stones, and the Beatles were inspired by Afri- Soulful Music where the Stax Records Hampton and what he could do with a can American artists like Sam Cooke, Aretha were on McLemore, and at the same xylophone or some of the other great Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, Chuck time there was Motown in Detroit with performers, and we need to know that Berry, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder and Martha Reeves and history and revere it. others. These talented musicians also have the Vandellas and the Supremes and on I had a dear friend named Warren paved the way for African American artists and on and on. Zevon who died in 2003. He was a folk today because their music is a powerful, Memphis and Detroit both are very singer, a rock and roller, but he knew multigenerational, and creative force. proud of our musical traditions and he was going to die. And when he was I want to commend Representative STEVE histories, and we support those; Mem- close to death, he talked with a man COHEN for bringing this resolution to the phis in particular, where Elvis Presley named Jorge Calderon who cowrote House floor today. Black music in all of its was a transformative individual that with him, and they were talking about genres has both served to instill pride in our took an African American musical her- dying. And he said to him, he said, culture and bring people of all races together itage and combined it with some Ten- Warren, it’s not bad. He said, You will to enjoy its powerful rhythms and harmonies. nessee country or and pro- get to see Miles. And here was rock and I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 476 duced rock and roll. And he, like Mi- roll folk singers, and what were they on final passage. chael Jackson, were crossover figures talking about was Miles Davis because Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield that had a major influence on Amer- he transcended music and race. Miles back the balance of my time. ican society because they told youth Davis, he was something special, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The that race wasn’t an issue. The music there were so many performers like question is on the motion offered by got beyond race. that. the gentlewoman from California (Ms. America has had a problem over its And that’s the reason why it’s impor- WATSON) that the House suspend the history with race, and one thing Elvis tant that we recognize that heritage rules and agree to the resolution, H. Presley did is it told a lot of young and that history, what it’s meant to Res. 476, as amended. white people that it was cool to shake America, not just in entertainment but The question was taken. your leg and to like music and to show in social change, and that’s why I’m The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the some emotion and expression. And Mi- proud to join the 70 cosponsors and to opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being chael Jackson showed a lot of people speak in behalf of this resolution and in the affirmative, the ayes have it. that what he produced was fine in dif- ask that we pass H. Res. 476, that we Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, ferent cultures, and it wasn’t nec- encourage schools and teachers to on that I demand the yeas and nays. essarily one race that liked that par- teach the arts, to teach music and to The yeas and nays were ordered. ticular music or another and was a teach this heritage so that people un- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- transformative effect. derstand how music can really move a ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the The reason we celebrate Black Music country and a society forward. Chair’s prior announcement, further Month is because of the tremendous Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, proceedings on this motion will be contributions that this country has re- I have no further speakers, so I yield postponed. ceived from musicians that are African back the balance of my time. f American. And whether it’s jazz, Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I would whether it’s blues, whether it’s gospel be remiss if I did not remention the RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF with Mahalia Jackson and Aretha contributions of Michael Jackson, COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF Franklin and other people from the whose passing on June 25, 2009, coin- OFFICIAL CONDUCT pulpit, or whether it’s other forms cided with the June celebration of The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- where Nat King Cole or Sammy Davis Black Music Month. Through his inno- fore the House the following resigna- or Lena Horne made such an impres- vation in the field of music, music tion as a member of the Committee on sion or Marian Anderson, it’s a particu- video and dance, and subsequent global Standards of Official Conduct:

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