July 12, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5475 has passed, twice in the past 2 years, on which a recorded vote or the yeas ments as one of the most talented vo- legislation seeking to reform this sys- and nays are ordered, or on which the calists in American popular music his- tem. Unfortunately, that legislation vote is objected to under clause 6 of tory. has languished on the other side of the rule XX. Born in 1924, Dinah Washington was a Capitol. Record votes on postponed questions singer and performer whose early influ- Mr. Speaker, it is more than just the will be taken later today. ence and focus was gospel music and monetary damages, though. It is the f spirituals. She began touring the coun- cost in terms of the human capital that try in 1940, was hired to sing with Lio- EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS we are losing today from doctors who nel Hampton’s big band, and signed her THAT DINAH WASHINGTON BE are leaving practice early, hospitals first recording contract in 1943. RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE that are having to close their doors. MOST TALENTED VOCALISTS IN Dinah Washington was recording But even more important than that, AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC HIS- with jazz stars and leaders in the in- Mr. Speaker, is the cost of human cap- TORY dustry by 1948 and was a full-fledged ital that will never be developed. I am pop music star by the late 1950s after talking about students in medical Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I move to recording the ballad ‘‘What a Dif- school, undergraduate school, and high suspend the rules and agree to the con- ference a Day Makes.’’ school who will look at their medical current resolution (H. Con. Res. 144) ex- Throughout her career, Dinah Wash- career ahead of them and decide it is pressing the sense of Congress that ington recorded in jazz, blues, rhythm just not worth the effort. Dinah Washington should be recognized and blues, and pop and was considered Mr. Speaker, we must act in this for her achievements as one of the a preeminent figure and an enormously Congress. most talented vocalists in American gifted vocalist in each genre. After f popular music history. dominating the charts in the late 1940s The Clerk read as follows: CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY AND and 1950s, Dinah Washington died on H. CON. RES. 144 FRIENDS OF ARMY LT. ROBERT December 14, 1963. By today’s measure, Whereas Dinah Washington was born in COLVILL she would have been considered a tre- August 1924; mendous crossover superstar. Whereas Dinah Washington was a singer (Mr. PENCE asked and was given per- House Concurrent Resolution 144 is mission to address the House for 1 and performer whose early influence and focus was gospel music and spirituals, and simple and straightforward. It ex- minute and to revise and extend his re- presses the sense of Congress that marks.) who first toured the Nation to perform in 1940; Dinah Washington should be recognized Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, the sad Whereas Dinah Washington was hired to for her versatility, remarkable music news reached Hoosiers last week. Army sing with Lionel Hampton’s big band in 1943, talent, and for influence on female vo- Lieutenant Robert Colvill, Junior, of and through this exposure gained her first calists in jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, Anderson, Indiana, lost his life fighting recording contract; pop, and gospel. I urge my colleagues Whereas Dinah Washington was recording to liberate Iraq and defend American to support this resolution. ideals overseas. He and three other sol- with jazz stars and leaders in the industry by Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of diers died as a result of wounds suf- 1948, and was a full-fledged pop music star by my time. fered during a terrorist car bombing the late 1950s after recording the ballad, ‘‘What a Difference a Day Makes’’; Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I and mortar attack. Whereas Dinah Washington recorded in yield myself such time as I may con- Robert Colvill, Jr., was a hero who jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, and pop, and believed in this great Nation. In the sume. was considered a preeminent figure and enor- Mr. Speaker, I commend the gen- ninth grade, he determined he would mously gifted vocalist in each; and serve his country in the Marine Corps. Whereas Dinah Washington died on Decem- tleman from New York (Mr. RANGEL) And so, after graduating from Madison ber 14, 1963, after dominating the charts in for his introduction of this resolution, Heights High School in 1991, he joined the late 1940s and 1950s, and by today’s meas- and I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 144, the Marines. He retired after 8 years of ures would have been considered a tremen- which recognizes the tremendous tal- service, having achieved the status of dous crossover superstar: Now, therefore, be ent and accomplishments of Dinah it sergeant. But his passion for fighting Washington. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the I have always been told that music is for his country was too much to ignore; Senate concurring), That it is the sense of and Robert Colvill, Jr., enlisted in the Congress that Dinah Washington should be universal and everlasting. Therefore, United States Army after only 1 year recognized for her versatility, remarkable Ms. Washington’s impact on music can as a civilian. musical talent, and for influence on female be felt and seen even among today’s I think Mayor Kevin Smith of Ander- vocalists in jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, contemporary talents. While Dinah son, Indiana, said it best when he said, pop, and gospel. Washington was born in the 1920s, her ‘‘Soldiers like Lt. Colvill represent the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- true impact on music began in the late best of the United States of America, ant to the rule, the gentleman from 1940s and 1950s. men and women of ideals who are Wisconsin (Mr. PETRI) and the gen- Ms. Washington’s early focus was on unafraid to fight for freedom for them- tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each gospel music and spirituals, yet she did selves, their country, and other peoples will control 20 minutes. not believe in mixing the secular and of the world.’’ The Chair recognizes the gentleman spiritual. And once she entered the Mr. Speaker, Lt. Robert Colvill, Jr., from Wisconsin (Mr. PETRI). nonreligious music world profes- is a hero whose service and sacrifice GENERAL LEAVE sionally, she refused to include gospel brought freedom to 25 million Iraqis. Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- in her repertoire. She became a full- His memory and the memory of that mous consent that all Members may fledged pop music star by the late sacrifice will forever be emblazoned on have 5 legislative days in which to re- 1950s, giving her the title of the Most the hearts of two grateful nations. vise and extend their remarks on H. Popular Black Female Recording Art- I offer my deepest condolences to his Con. Res. 144. ist at that time. family and friends and the community The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there She was noted as one of the most at large as we deal with the loss of a objection to the request of the gen- versatile and gifted vocalists in Amer- hero. tleman from Wisconsin? ican popular music history. Ms. Wash- f There was no objection. ington’s talent lent itself to making re- Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- cordings in jazz, blues, rhythm and ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER self such time as I may consume, and I blues, and pop. PRO TEMPORE rise in support of H. Con. Res. 144. Despite her passing in December of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Reso- 1963, her music continues to influence ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair lution 144, which expresses the sense of artists today. In 1993, her memory and will postpone further proceedings Congress that Dinah Washington influence on music became forever as today on motions to suspend the rules should be recognized for her achieve- we remember she was inducted into the

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