September 14, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1225 LCVFSF plays a critical role in our commu- Songbook, second-, Mardi the moment I heard Tony’s 8- intro on sock nity by connecting veterans with each other Gras Indian, Instrumental Soul, Rhythm-and- cymbal, I was like, ‘I want to play music for and the resources they need, as well as edu- Blues, Urban, Hip-Hop, and various Afro-de- the rest of my life.’ I listened to that record cating and counseling families to support vet- scended dialects of Central America and the every day, to the point where I learned all the erans and service members. LCVFSF offers Caribbean—into a focused sound that is en- solos. I wasn’t trying to transcribe them. I’d peer support and nurturing connections for tirely his own argot. just listened to it so much that I learned all the veterans through programs such as the Cup- On his latest recording Afro-Caribbean music, every bassline, everything.’’ A-Joe coffee meetup, as well as close collabo- Mixtape, propelled by keyboardist Kevin Hays, ‘‘After that, I listened to Freddie Hubbard, ration with the Dryhootch Drop-in Center and bassist Vicente Archer, drummer Joe Dyson, Red Clay, and then I went to Clifford Brown. Catholic Charities to help find jobs for vet- percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and Then I went to , who I wasn’t erans. turntablist DJ Lady Fingaz, Payton seamlessly really into at the time. Even though I was play- This year, LCVFSF and its innovative ap- coalesces his interests, drawing on a global ing in brass bands, I saw myself as doing proach to wellness were recognized by the array of beats, melodies and harmonic con- something more modern. Wynton Marsalis and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services sciousness to serve his lifelong conviction that Terence Blanchard were my hometown he- Administration (SAMHSA) for their work, Fos- music is a process by which the practitioner roes. I wanted to go to New York and play tering Healing and Recovery through Connec- uses notes and tones to map identity and tell with Art Blakey, and do what they did. But tion. a story. Wynton told me, ‘All that stuff you’re checking During this National Suicide Prevention Payton states, ‘‘I’ve incorporated elements out is cool, but you need to check out Pops.’ Week, LCFSF deserves particular acknowl- from all the things I’ve written and spoken I was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to listen to that edgement. Every day in the , an about for years. It speaks to the moment politi- Uncle Tom music.’ I thought about the hand- average of 20 veterans die by suicide. Each of cally in an overt way that my other albums kerchiefs and bucking eyes, the things that their deaths is a tragedy. We owe it to the fine don’t. On a musical-conceptual level, I think were shameful and debilitating to Black peo- men and women who served us, and who it’s my greatest work thus far.’’ ple, and I didn’t want any part of it. But may still the physical and often invisible Payton’s aspiration to reclaim and redefine through Wynton’s influence, I started inves- mental scars of that service, to support them Black American Music fundamentals is a fulfill- tigating Armstrong, and found Pops was the after they retire the uniform. ment of his birthright. He grew up across the catalyst for all of this other stuff that I love and Later this month, LCVFSF is partnering with street from Louis Armstrong Park, historically listen to. I developed a simpatico.’’ the Student Veterans Club of College of Lake known as Congo Square, situated deep in the On the strength of his New Orleans upbring- County to lead a Ruck March to raise aware- Treme, the neighborhood home base of many ing and various concert appearances playing ness of the epidemic of veteran suicide. Par- seminal New Orleans musicians and artists. In Armstrong repertoire on at Lincoln Cen- ticipants will march more than 20 kilometers the 19th century, on Sundays only, enslaved ter engagements with Marsalis, Payton—who from North to Grayslake in memory of Africans were allowed to gather in the public had already established bona fides as a con- the veterans lost every day to suicide. Many space of Congo Square to openly express Af- sequential modernist voice as a mem- will walk with ruck sacks representing the rican culture through singing, dancing and the ber of -led ensembles on various symbolic weight carried by those who have playing of drums. Payton’s mother, Maria, is a tours and albums (Youngblood, Going Home fallen due to suicide and those who suffer former operatic singer and a classically-trained and It Don’t Mean A Thing)—was soon brand- from their loss. pianist, who at 70, still performs in church; his ed as ‘‘the second coming of Armstrong.’’ For all their efforts to improve the lives of father Walter, a bassist-sousaphonist and With the 2001 Armstrong homage, Dear our veteran community and address the trag- music educator was a mainstay on the Cres- Louis, Payton said ‘‘farewell to a perspective edy of veteran suicide, I thank the staff, volun- cent City music and recording scene. He on playing music in terms of a repertory view teers, and of the Lake County Vet- would take his young son to gigs. He gifted of the masters,’’ and hello to the notion ‘‘that erans and Family Services. I wish them much Nicholas a trumpet when he was four. I would solely create music from my perspec- success on the upcoming Ruck March and ‘‘Our house became a rehearsal space for tive as a young man in this world today.’’ That look forward to continuing to work with the whatever band my father was in,’’ Payton re- perspective, he adds, ties directly to his forma- Foundation in the days ahead. calls. ‘‘We had a big living room and a grand tive New Orleans experiences. piano, and other instruments. Trumpet ap- In 2014, Payton changed the name of his f pealed to me most of all the instruments I saw from BMF to Paytone and released a tril- HONORING around, and I got one for Christmas when I ogy of albums—Numbers, Letters, and Tex- was four.’’ In just his childhood, Payton also tures—that showcase the fruits of his decision became a proficient practitioner of tuba, trom- a decade earlier to eschew the practice of HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. bone, woodwinds, piano, bass and drums. Be- writing tunes in favor of ‘‘creating moods, dis- OF MICHIGAN fore the age of 9, he sat-in with the Young tilling the compositional element to its most IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuxedo Brass Band, a unit formed at the turn essential thing.’’ He said: ‘‘If a melody comes of the century that specialized in traditional into my head while walking through an airport, Thursday, September 14, 2017 repertoire. By 11, he received his first steady I’ll hum it into my Voice-Memo. If I dream a Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, trumpeter and gig in the All Brass Band, a group of melody at night, I’ll walk to the keyboards in composer Nicholas Payton will be honored peers led by Trombone Shorty’s oldest broth- my bedroom and play it into my phone re- this year by the Congressional Black Caucus er, James Andrews, who were deeply influ- corder. I stockpile these ideas, and quite an Foundation at the Jazz Concert that will take enced by the rhythmic and harmonic exten- accumulation of motific themes have built up.’’ place during the 47th Annual Legislative Con- sions of various bands. Mardi Gras Indian Payton’s ability to infuse early 20th century ference. Mr. Payton will perform at the concert music was in his back yard, and he played no repertoire with idiomatic authority and life force with bassist Ben Williams, who will present his small number of rhythm-and-blues and hip-hop elicited a comment from the late trumpeter Protest Anthology. The concert will take place sessions. ‘‘I played all sorts of music,’’ Payton Adolphus ‘‘Doc’’ Cheatham, who shared band- on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at the Wal- says. ‘‘I did everything.’’ stands with the seminal pioneers of the 1920s ter E. Washington Convention Center, in As a small child, Payton took as role models and beyond, and was 91 when he recorded Washington, DC. Mr. Payton will also receive the ‘‘kool kats’’ who attended his father’s wee- the Grammy-winning & Nich- the 2017 CBCF ALC Jazz Legacy Award for hours rehearsals: drummers James Black and olas Payton in 1996. Doc described Payton, his contributions to jazz and world culture. To Herlin Riley; saxophonists Fred Kemp and ‘‘He is the greatest of the New Orleans-style acquaint you with his accomplishments, I am Earl Turbinton; trumpeter Clyde Kerr, Jr.; and trumpet players that I’ve ever heard. And pleased to share the following biographical in- pianists Ellis Marsalis and Professor Longhair. every time I hear him, he sounds better and formation from Mr. Payton’s website. Not long after joining the All Star Brass better. I haven’t heard anybody like him since Like a master chef possessing a deft sense Band, Payton started digging into his father’s Louis Armstrong.’’ of proportion, taste and poetic flair, this for- record collection and came across Miles Mr. Speaker, Nicholas Payton is a living ward-looking heir to the traditions of New Orle- Davis’ Four and More, with George Coleman, jazz treasure and I urge all members to join ans blends an array of related musical food , Ron Carter and Tony Wil- me in commending him for his magnificent groups—Bebop, Swing, the Great American liams. ‘‘I put on the second side first, and from contribution to American and world culture.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:08 Sep 15, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14SE8.014 E14SEPT1 E1226 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 14, 2017 APPLAUDING UNANIMOUS PAS- centers that parents can trust meet basic ther who is survived by his wife, Jocelyn SAGE OF AMENDMENT TO PRE- health and safety standards. Larkin, and two sons, Vincent and Gabriel. VENT FEDERAL FUNDING FROM My amendment is a commonsense fix fol- Today, on behalf of California’s 13th Con- GOING TO UNSAFE CHILD CARE lowing a tragedy that we cannot and should gressional District, I salute the life and service CENTERS not allow to happen again. Kamden’s death of Mr. Christopher Patti. I offer my sincere this August was not the first child death at an condolences to his family and friends, and the HON. TERRI A. SEWELL unregulated daycare center in my state, and it entire UC Berkeley community who are joined OF ALABAMA will not be the last so long as we continue to in grief at this incredible, and unfortunate loss. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fund centers that violate health and safety f standards. For our children, for our parents, Thursday, September 14, 2017 HONORING ALBERTO GONZALES and for kids like Kamden, I know that we can Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I and must do better. rise to the Chairman and Ranking Member of I am proud that Congress has taken a step HON. DON BACON the Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee in addressing this major oversight in the fund- OF NEBRASKA for accepting the amendment I introduced with ing of our nation’s day care centers. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ranking Member BOBBY SCOTT earlier this There is nothing more important to me than Thursday, September 14, 2017 week. My amendment would prevent the flow seeing our children learn and grow, and that Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to com- of Child Care Development Block Grants to starts with making sure our resources for early memorate Hispanic Heritage Month by hon- any child care providers with a record of learning are going to the right place. oring a dedicated community leader from Ne- health and safety violations that have resulted f braska’s Second Congressional District with in injury or death at their centers. This amend- an inspirational story. Alberto ‘‘Beto’’ REMEMBERING CHRISTOPHER ment was drafted following the tragic death of Gonzales’ countless stories of overcoming ad- PATTI five-year old Kamden Johnson at an unli- versity and selfless contribution to the youth of censed daycare center in my home state of our Hispanic community, serve as a shining Alabama. HON. BARBARA LEE example and model for current and future gen- For those of you who have not heard his OF CALIFORNIA erations. story, Kamden Johnson died this August after IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Gonzales grew up in the Hispanic being left in a hot daycare van at the pre- Thursday, September 14, 2017 neighborhoods of South Omaha, where his fa- school he was attending. His body was found ther worked in the thriving meat packing in- later that day dumped at the side of the road. Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor dustry. His mother cared for him and his six Kamden’s story is heartbreaking. First, be- the life of Christopher Patti, who served as the brothers and sisters and was a positive influ- cause a young life was cut tragically short. Counsel for the University of California, ence in their lives. As a Christian, she also be- Secondly, Kamden’s death was preventable. Berkeley, and was a well-respected member lieved in the power of prayer in daily life. Un- Due to a state exemption for religious affiliated of the East Bay community. Mr. Patti died as fortunately, Alberto fell into drugs, alcohol, and daycare centers, Kamden’s daycare center a result of a vehicle accident on August 27th. eventually depression and thoughts of suicide. was not subject to state oversight or inspec- Mr. Patti graduated from Dartmouth College By the time Beto was 11 years old he was tions. As a matter of fact, the driver who was in 1980, before receiving his law degree from already part of his first street gang and in responsible for Kamden when he died had an the University of Virginia in 1983, where he 1977, spent five days in jail for a knife fight extensive criminal record. also served as the editor of the Virginia Law where he was defending himself against sev- Despite Kamden’s death, and despite the Review. eral male attackers. Had an observer not testi- failure of Kamden’s daycare center to meet After graduation, he clerked for Judge Frank fied in his defense, he would have likely spent commonsense safety standards, the childcare M. Johnson, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals 30 years or more in jail. provider and other unregulated childcare cen- for the 11th District, and later embarked on a At the age of 23, Alberto met a woman who ters like it can be eligible today for federal career in litigation at Heller, Ehrman, White & would become one of his most influential men- grant funding. After one of their children was McAuliffe in San Francisco. tors; Sister Joyce Englert with the Chicano discovered dead by the side of the road, this After a few years as a litigation attorney, Mr. Awareness Center in South Omaha. Through daycare center can still receive Child Care De- Patti changed course and left private practice her efforts, Beto learned about Christ and was velopment Block Grants. for public service. In 1990, he joined the Uni- able to get off drugs permanently. His memo- On the opposite end of the spectrum, safe versity of California (UC) system, working as ries of his mother praying for him as a child childcare centers which care for their children an attorney in the Office of the General Coun- helped him to make the positive life changes. and are subject to regular inspection are sel for the UC Office of the President from As a result, Beto committed the rest of his life struggling to make ends meet. Just this year, 1990 through 2010. to helping young people overcome the obsta- available slots at Head Start Programs were In 2010, he moved from the Office of the cles and influences of living in poverty, as well cut in four counties in my district. Each of the President to serve as the Chief Campus as the intense peer pressure from gangs. His slots cut represent one more child who will not Counsel at the University’s flagship campus in commitment was sealed in a tattoo on his arm receive an early education, or who may be Berkeley. Since his appointment to this posi- of the scripture found in Psalms 23:4. forced to attend an unlicensed daycare facility tion, he distinguished himself by guiding the Alberto struggled with academics and barely that puts their health and safety at risk. campus through very challenging times, and made it through high school, but Sister Joyce I am a believer that Congress should act to developed a reputation among his peers as was an instrumental part in helping him over- increase funding for Head Start and that fund- someone who ‘‘represented the best of Berke- come a learning disability, teaching him to ing early learning is one of the best invest- ley’’. read and write, and eventually convincing him ments we can make in our country’s future. Mr. Patti’s commitment to public service and to enroll at Metro Community College in 1983. But at a time when funding for early learning public education, and his career working to He recalls being more scared to pick up a col- is limited, it is our responsibility to ensure that support the important mission that the Univer- lege book than a gun. Though Beto took federal resources are going to the best pos- sity plays in the East Bay, and worldwide is longer than most to complete his Associates sible daycares and preschools. certainly a testament to that fact. Degree in Chemical Dependency, his perse- As of last year, there were 943 daycare UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ re- verance would pay off later in his professional centers in Alabama exempt from basic licens- called of Patti that he was ‘‘extraordinary . . . career. ing standards. Over 30 Alabama legislators and he had a deep core of integrity that moti- As gang and drug activity exploded in South have come together to support a bipartisan bill vated everything that he did’’. Omaha in the late ’80s and 90s, so did the op- extending licensing requirements to facilities I am grateful for Christopher Patti’s service portunities for Beto to help endangered youth currently exempt. to the UC system, and the Berkeley campus in that community. While most who work in Right now, we have an opportunity to en- in particular, and to the people of California. this burn out after seven years, Alberto sure that not one more federal dollar goes to As a proud UC Berkeley alumna, I am tremen- has served in this area for more than 32 a daycare center like the one that Kamden dously saddened by this significant loss to the years. Beto ran drug and alcohol treatment died at. We have a chance for both parties to campus community. groups while doing extensive outreach with work together and ensure that federal dollars Beyond his many professional accomplish- schools through the Chicano Awareness Cen- for early learning are headed to child care ments, Mr. Patti was a loving husband, and fa- ter. After that, Alberto served as a National

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