Extensions of Remarks E1107 HON. DANNY K. DAVIS HON. JIM KOLBE
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June 14, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1107 for the eradication of curable diseases among ber, music has always been something ex- standing firm against it hastened the end of African children. This work was continued in a traordinary in my life. It’s always been some- the Cold War and the return of Russia to the convention called ‘‘Children of the Front Line’’ thing that completely captured my attention— family of nations. in Harare, Zimbabwe. As part of this effort, from the time I was three, when Mr. Pitman Influenced by his humble beginnings, Rea- with the largest concentration of African artists was showing me these little melodies. My first gan’s patriotism and optimistic spirit exempli- ever assembled, Mr. Belafonte performed a love was the music I heard in the community: fied the American dream. He restored Amer- concert benefiting UNICEF. blues, church gospel music, and country and ica’s ‘‘can do’’ creed. We will always remem- Mr. Speaker, there is much more that I western. My mom would let me stay up to lis- ber the words of his farewell address, when would like to share about this living legend ten to the Grand Old Opry on Saturday night. he said those of his generation ‘‘were taught, who has left a mark on our world. Clearly, Mr. That’s the only time I got to stay up late. I very directly, what it means to be an Amer- Belafonte is laudable recipient of this award, heard the blues played by Muddy Waters and ican. And we absorbed, almost in air, a love which highlights his contributions toward se- Blind Boy Philips and Tampa Red and Big Boy of country and an appreciation of its institu- curing human rights and freedoms locally and Crudup. And of course every night if you lis- tions.’’ throughout the world. Most importantly, I am tened to the right station, you might pick up a He never trimmed his sails or compromised proud and honored to call ‘‘Harry’’ my friend. little Duke Ellington or Count Basie. But the his values. We will remember him as a presi- I thank you for giving me the opportunity to bulk of what I heard of blues in those days dent who understood the balance between honor Mr. Belafonte, a World War II veteran, was called ‘‘race music,’’ which became pragmatism and partisanship. We will remem- musician, visionary, activist, and my brother, in rhythm and blues, and rhythm and blues later ber him as the great communicator who united the struggle for social justice and peace. was called soul music.’’ Americans toward common goals. But most of f Mr. Charles learned to read and write music all we will remember him as a great president in Braille, scored for big bands and played in- PAYING TRIBUTE TO ‘‘RAY who brought honor and respect to the Office struments like the trumpet, clarinet, organ, alto of President. I join with all Americans in ex- CHARLES—A NATIONAL TREAS- sax and the piano. This experience in reading URE’’ pressing our sympathy to Nancy Reagan and Braille and playing by ear helped Charles de- his family for the loss of this great American. velop a superb memory where he could sit at HON. DANNY K. DAVIS his desk and write a complete arrangement in f OF ILLINOIS his head and not touch a musical instrument IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the music would come out exactly the MOURNING THE PASSING OF Monday, June 14, 2004 way it sounded in his head. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN Mr. Charles thank you for being the angel of Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, tonight I soul, you will be missed. SPEECH OF pay tribute to the angel of soul in music Mr. f Ray Charles the piano man with the soulful HON. PETER HOEKSTRA voice who reshaped American music for a half MOURNING THE PASSING OF OF MICHIGAN century. He brought the essence of soul to PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES country, jazz, rock, and every other style of music that you can think of he had an influ- SPEECH OF Tuesday, June 8, 2004 ence on it. HON. JIM KOLBE Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise Mr. Charles died at the age of 73 of an OF ARIZONA in honor of Ronald Reagan, 40th President of acute liver disease at his Beverly Hills home IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the United States and one of the greatest at 11:35 a.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2004 sur- Tuesday, June 8, 2004 leaders and statesmen of the 20th Century. rounded by family and friends. As a singer, pi- America has long known that President anist and composer, Charles broke racial and Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, Ronald Reagan’s Reagan was ill, but his death came as a musical barriers as an African American, blind passing gives this nation an opportunity to re- shock to a country that continued to feel his by the age of 7 and an orphan at 15, he spent flect on the can-do attitude that he exuded presence. He touched millions of lives during the rest of his life blending rhythm and blues and the greatness of the American people that his tenure as governor of California and two into various musical art forms that earned him he believed in. He was the essential Amer- terms in America’s highest office. Although 12 Grammy Awards and immense fame for ican, a President born in mid-America, instilled long anticipated, his passing marks with final- five decades. with solid Midwestern values. He had a deep ity the end of the Reagan era. Ray Charles ‘‘The Genius’’ produced many love affair with the American people, and they President Reagan’s commitment to freedom hit songs like ‘‘What’d I Say?’’ which featured with him. Like Franklin Roosevelt, he was an altered the course of modern history. He the Raelettes, was his first million selling song. American icon, and like Roosevelt, he had an brought the United States through the end of Next came a classic version of Hoagy uncanny ability to connect and communicate the Cold War with strength and resolve, and Carmichael’s 1930 song ‘‘Georgia on My with common people. he led the U.S. economy to heights once un- Mind.’’ Charles version became the official Today we salute four tenets of President imaginable through his sound domestic poli- state song of Georgia. Due to some objections Reagan’s legacy: economic growth, deregula- cies. by recording executives at the label company, tion, peace through strength, and patriotism Charles made ‘‘Modern Sounds in Country though a return of the American dream. He possessed a vision for America that re- and Western music’’ in 1962, an album that The father of Reaganomics launched the flected its devotion to individual liberty, that produced a million-seller with songs like ‘‘I boldest economic plan since FDR that pro- every person is born with the intrinsic right to Can’t Stop Loving You’’ and the popular hit moted lower taxes, sound money, and less achieve their dreams through their own labors ‘‘Hit the Road, Jack’’ and ‘‘Let the Good Times regulation. Reagan unveiled a ‘‘program for and determination. Roll.’’ At the 1960 Grammy Awards, he took economic recovery’’ to a Joint Session of Con- He will forever be remembered as a cham- home four awards across all genres, including gress calling for a $41.4 billion in tax cuts— pion of promoting peace and prosperity best vocal performance by a pop artist (‘‘Geor- the largest in history. throughout the world with a strong faith at the gia on My Mind’’), best vocal performance Reagan was an advocate for deregulation core of his principles and values. He was a album (‘‘The Genius of Ray Charles’’) and and free trade pacts. He worked to tear down great man elected to take charge of a great best R&B performance (‘‘Let the Good Times barriers to enterprise and encourage a spirit of country at a time when strong leadership was Roll’’). self enterprise. His commitment to deregula- sorely needed. He later won Grammy Awards for ‘‘Busted’’ tion was evident when in 1981 he took deci- President Reagan’s infectious optimism in- in 1963 and ‘‘Crying Time’’ in 1966 and other sive action to carry out this promise to fire spired many Americans to become involved in songs like ‘‘Let’s Go Get Stoned.’’ In all, Mr. 13,000 air traffic controllers for an illegal the political process, and his influence and vi- Charles made more than 60 albums and his strike. sion will continue to live throughout the ages. influence has resonated through generations After years of crumbling defense spending, My prayers and those of my family are with of country, pop, R&B and gospel singers. President Reagan increased defense spending the family and hundreds of millions of friends Mr. Charles began involving himself in 35 percent during two terms and promoted of President Reagan, knowing that the Lord music at a very early age. In his autobiog- peace through strength. He called the Soviet has preserved a very special place for him in raphy, Charles said, ‘‘as long as I can remem- Union for what it was—an evil empire—and by heaven. VerDate May 21 2004 05:18 Jun 15, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A14JN8.066 E14PT1 E1108 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 14, 2004 MOURNING THE PASSING OF not, people also smiled when they spoke of grateful for the vision Ronald Reagan taught PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN Ronald Reagan, often displaying that same me and the lessons about the power of con- sense of hope and good cheer that he himself victions, the value of principled leadership, SPEECH OF had radiated throughout his life.