June 23, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1315 As is clear from the language of the legisla- Mr. Burgie is most known for his work with dent. ‘‘I was thinking of my wife who died re- tion, the requirement for interconnection is for for whom he composed 34 cently, about the pleasure she would have purposes of 911 only and should not be used songs between 1955 and 1960. He composed enjoyed if she were present on this occa- to bootstrap access for other reasons. Simi- 8 of the 11 songs on Belafonte’s Calypso sion,’’ he said. larly, the legislation makes clear that those album, which was number 1 on the Billboard ‘‘But it was also emotional to have my who control the legacy gateways to the emer- Charts for 32 weeks and remained on the sons, their wives and a granddaughter to gency communications system must provide charts for nearly 2 years. ‘‘Calypso’’ was the share this honor with me,’’ access, including rights of interconnection, to first album of any kind to sell over a million Burgie, who had previously received an those seeking to deliver 911 calls and informa- copies, thus making Burgie and Belafonte one honorary doctorate from the University of tion. Because all stakeholders agreed to the of the most successful singer-writer collabora- the West Indies, was described by Dr. Julia Upton, Provost of St. John’s, as a ‘‘man who legislative language, we fully expect that this tions in recorded music history. used his special gifts to lift the hearts’’ and access will not be inhibited by either delay or Growing up in the West Indian section of the ‘‘spirits’’ of tens of millions of people litigation. , Mr. Burgie became interested in around the world. H.R. 3403 also requires the development of music of other cultures in his travels as a sol- As she explained it, Burgie, the son of a a national plan to ensure that the 911 system dier in World War II. He enrolled in the Julliard West Indian mother used his music to ‘‘bring continues to evolve. It is significant that the School of Music, developing a broad knowl- hope’’ and put ‘‘smiles’’ on the faces of peo- plan will include the participation of first re- edge of song literature. His songs not only ple across the globe, often at times of great sponders, including the emergency commu- changed the culture of music but changed the challenges. Indeed, few artistes anywhere nications professionals maintaining and using way people taught their children about music. had enhanced the national and global land- the system. It is also important that the plan The article describes his music, as music ‘‘that scapes with their music like Burgie, whose will address the needs of the disabilities com- brings hope and puts smiles on faces of peo- songs, among them ‘‘Day-O,’’ ‘‘Island in the munity when they use emergency communica- ple across the globe.’’ Mr. Burgie has left a Sun,’’ ‘‘Mary’s Boy-Child,’’ and ‘‘Angelina,’’ were made famous by Harry Belafonte, Dr. tions. I look forward to reviewing the results of lasting mark on music for many generations. Upton said. They sold more than 100 millions this work so we can begin to move to the next In addition to his outstanding musical career in the 50-plus years since they first came generation of emergency communications. achievements, Mr. Burgie has been very gen- onto the musical scene in the 1950s. Most of I am disappointed that the Senate stripped erous in his philanthropic efforts to improve the songs on the Harry Belafonte album, Ca- out one provision of the House-passed version the lives of students interested in pursuing a lypso, propelled the collection to the top of this legislation that protected proprietary career in music. Mr. Burgie has dedicated his spot on the Billboard Charts and enabled it customer information. This provision prohibited life to making the world a better place through to become the first album in the history of a carrier from using the customer information his artistic and charitable efforts and he is truly recorded music to sell a million copies. But deserving of the honorary doctorate presented he wasn’t simply recognized for his artistic that other carriers are required to provide for triumphs. Burgie, who was recently inducted 911 databases for any purpose other than to him by St. John’s University. into the Song writers Hall of Fame in the emergency communications. I heard no ration- [From the Caribnews, June 3, 2008] United States was heralded for the more al argument against the policy underlying this IRVING BURGIE HAILED WITH HONORARY than $100,000 in scholarships he gave over 25 provision. Nevertheless, in the interest of en- DOCTORATE years to Bajan youth to encourage their suring that this legislation be enacted swiftly, (By Tony Best) writing skills and the musical scholarship I will support the bill as passed by the Senate. ‘‘Concrete examples of committed lives.’’ endowed by ASCAP to help American stu- I intend, however, to take this matter up again The Rev. John Kettleberger, St. John’s dents pursue their musical careers. in the future. We owe it to consumers to en- University’s Director of Residence Ministry In essence, then, both Sister Anthony and sure that their emergency communications was describing two outstanding public fig- Burgie had devoted their lives to the task of ures in the United States, Irving Burgie, system does not become a playground for making the world a better place and proof of composer of some of the world’s most memo- their success can be seen in the hope they competitive shenanigans. rable music and Sister Anthony had inspired in successive generations, St. H.R. 3403 is a forward-looking bill that en- Barczykowski, Executive Director of Com- John’s University stated. sures that consumers using VoIP service are munity Service for the Catholic Church’s able to access 911 as easily as consumers Archdiocese of New Orleans. The emphasis on ‘‘hope’’ was at the core of the President’s commencement address. He using wireline or wireless services. Each of its Both the composer, an artiste with strong Brooklyn and Caribbean roots, and Sister pinpointed many of the serious challenges elements—giving VoIP providers access to the the world was facing and they ranged from components they need to provide 911 service; Barczykowski, whose work in New Orleans after the Hurricane Katrina disaster the global economic downturn; starvation in extending to VoIP providers, public safety offi- ‘‘brought hope’’ to the survivors of the floods Africa; and the global food crisis to the divi- cials, and end users the liability protections and gale force winds that left thousands sive presidential campaign in the United currently afforded to wireline and wireless homeless were hailed before an audience of States; and the devastating wars in Iraq and services; and requiring a plan for the contin- at least 10,000 students, faculty, parents, rel- Afghanistan which have cost more than 4,000 ued evolution of the emergency communica- atives and friends of the 2008 graduating Americans and trillions of dollars in U.S. and British taxpayer money. tions system—is a worthy victory for all con- class. Each was presented with honorary doctor- sumers. I commend Representative GORDON But he wasn’t disheartened by the monu- ates of Humane Letters and they were mental task at hand. for his years of dedication to this important praised for their ‘‘commitment to service’’ Indeed, the President said he was ‘‘opti- issue and hail this success, from which all to others and for the way they channeled mistic’’ because of the many, ‘‘wonderful Americans will reap benefits for years to their energies and outstanding talents for people’’ who had worked hard to transform come. the good of humanity. society, Burgie and Sister Anthony included, f Actually, the Rev. Kettleberger spoke about the two honorees as he delivered the and because of the young people, especially TRIBUTE TO A GREAT COMPOSER, invocation at the beginning of the 138th com- the members of the graduating class who were prepared to assume their roles in soci- IRVING BURGIE mencement exercises at one of America’s leading Catholic schools of higher learning. ety. With almost 3,000 students graduating with Coleman, the Black student who spoke for HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctorates, the the entire class, emphasized the importance OF NEW YORK afternoon of pomp, ceremony and stirring of ‘‘giving back’’ and the need for individuals IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES commencement addresses by the Rev. Dr. and society to ‘‘re-fuel’’ when their tanks Monday, June 23, 2008 Donald Harrington, St. John’s President, and were running low. Just as important was the Whitney Coleman, a graduating senior of the need to put the ‘‘exemplary education’’ the Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today College of Liberal Arts and Science, who students had received at St. John’s to to recognize the amazing accomplishments of spoke on behalf of all the students, was un- produce. It was, she asserted, a kind of one of America’s greatest composers, Irving derscored by the smiling faces and tears of ‘‘roadmap’’ that would guide them at the be- joy that flowed freely as proud parents and ginning of life’s journey and would help them Burgie; and to enter into the RECORD an ap- some of the students themselves were af- along the way. At the end of the ceremonies, preciation by Tony Best from New York fected by the emotions of the moment. ‘‘It Burgie who was born and grew up in Brook- CaribNews for the week ending June 3, 2008, was truly an emotional moment for me,’’ lyn but whose music has made him a world titled ‘‘Hailed Irving Burgie with Honorary Doc- Burgie said afterwards as he reflected on the citizen summed up the situation: ‘‘It was torate, Tribute to Composer of Some of the tears he shed on being lauded and presented simply wonderful. I thank St. John’s for the World’s Most Memorable Music.’’ the doctorate from the University’s Presi- honor.’’

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