E1734 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 16, 1998 The league was established to promote fast- bells hit the charts with its first single, ``I Sold allow him to do both singing and non-singing pitch softball for girls in the Manassas-Prince My Heart To The Junkman'' which went gold. roles. Two years ago, the ``Shining Star William County area. The group recorded a number of songs which Award'' was given to a constituent of mine, The members of the team are: Stephanie made the top 40 and played the best R&B Laurie Beechman. Gaynord, Katie Lee, Laura Hundemer, venues in the Nation including the Apollo The- Another reason I am so proud to stand here Courtney Bures, Kesha Robinson, Julianne atre in Harlem, the Uptown in Philadelphia and and tell you about these brilliant performers is Sudduth, Kristin Windle, Lydia Sumner, Kelli the Regal in Chicago. that they are both scheduled to perform in a Rotter, Alyssa Kemmerer, Alexis In 1970, a dynamic change in image, sound, tribute concertÐLet The Memory Live Again! Hochstrasser, Brittany Alexander-Smith, Jas- costume, management and message gave A Musical Celebration For Laurie BeechmanÐ mine Davenport, Katie Speaks, and Ashley birth to the renamed trioÐLabelle. The group's on November 30 at the historic Walnut Street Demaret. They are coached by Mike Windle, sound blended soul, funk, rhythm and blues, Theatre in Philadelphia to raise money for Mike Bures, and Donald Alsberry; and their gospel, pop and high-intensity rock-and-roll, GILDA'S CLUB. These two outstanding en- scorekeeper is Tony Gaynord. while their futuristic costumes and theatrical tertainers are just a couple of the many tal- Through their hard work, the Manassas Ex- staging made an unforgettable impact. ented artists who will join together to raise press members have been ambassadors of Labelle's gold album, Night Birds, yielded the funds to battle ovarian cancer, the disease sportsmanship for Manassas, Prince William, number-one single of 1975, ``Lady Mar- which took the life of Laurie Beechman in and all of Virginia. On behalf of the citizens of malade.'' March after a nine-year struggle against the the 10th District, we say to them, congratula- On October 6, 1974, Labelle made history disease. tions. as the first black vocal group to appear at the I am amazed that all these wonderful per- f Metropolitan Opera House where thousands of formers are willing to give what little time off audience members included Bette Midler and they have to help others. But, it seems to be HONORING PHILADELPHIA DIVA Jackie Onassis. a Broadway tradition to reach out like this be- PATTI LABELLE AND BROADWAY Patti LaBelle made her solo debut in 1977 cause Laurie Beechman performed at many STAR DOUGLAS SILLS when she played to overflow audiences in events of this kind. In fact, just two years ago, New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, and a she and Sam Harris performed at Rainbow HON. JON D. FOX dozen other cities. Since then, Patti LaBelle and Stars to raise money for the battle against OF PENNSYLVANIA has gone from triumph to triumph and strength AIDS. Now, Sam will be co-hosting the tribute IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to strength. Her one-woman Broadway shows to Laurie, a woman he called his ``musical have shattered box office records, she has Wednesday, September 16, 1998 soulmate,'' along with Ms. LaBelle. starred in her own prime-time television spe- Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be associated Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I cial and weekly TV series, ``Out All Night.'' with Patti LaBelle and Douglas Sills who rep- rise today to honor two outstanding entertain- She starred in the national tour and Broadway resent the heart and soul of the entertainment ers who are being recognized for their talents revivals of the gospel musical Your Arms Too industry which has dedicated itself to the bat- and their dedication to charitable causes. Short To Box With God and the role of a tle against these afflictions and have reached On Thursday evening, September 24, Ms. nightclub singer in the motion picture, A Sol- out a hand to those in need. As a result of the LaBelle will receive the ``1998 Distinguished dier's Story, which was created especially for Laurie Beechman Tribute Concert, GILDA'S Arts Award'' by Pennsylvania Governor Thom- her. CLUB will be able to reach out to more peo- as Ridge as part of the Governor's Awards for Over the past 21 years, Patti LaBelle has ple with cancer and their families. the Arts. recorded more than 50 albums and estab- November 30 will be a night of stars at the Broadway superstar, Douglas Sills, currently lished herself as a major solo recording artist Walnut Street Theatre and none will shine the Tony Award nominated star of The Scarlet with classics like ``You Are My Friend,'' and ``If brighter than Douglas Sills and Patti LaBelle. Pimpernel at the Minskoff Theatre on Broad- Only You Knew.'' She has garnered 10 But, I'm sure they would be the first to tell you way is being honored by the Leukemia Society Grammy Award nominations and the 1992 that the real stars that night will be Laurie of America with the ``Shining Star Award'' in Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Perform- Beechman and the long struggle against ovar- recognition of his commitment to charitable ance; seven NAACP Image Awards (including ian cancer she wages even after her death. causes as well as his enormous talent. Among the coveted ``Entertainer of the Year Award''), I insert these comments in the RECORD so his theatre credits are the Los Angeles pro- three Emmy Award nominations, two Amer- all may know of the accomplishments of these duction of Tim Rice's Chess, the national tour- ican Music Awards and a Cable Ace Award. In two fine performers in the hopes it will awaken ing company of Into the Woods, by Stephen 1996, Boston's Berklee College of Music pre- a similar dedication to humanity in each of us. Sondheim, the First National Tour of The Se- sented Ms. LaBelle with an honorary doctor- f cret Garden and regional programs throughout ate. Her autobiography, Don't Block The the Nation. On television he has had roles on Blessings, was a national best seller and PROMOTION OF A DRUG-FREE ``Coach,'' ``Empty Nest,'' ``Models Inc.,'' ``Party earned the NAACP Image Award for outstand- AMERICA of Five,'' ``Sisters,'' ``Sliders,'' and ``Women of ing literary work. A cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine: the House.'' His film credits include Funny Recipes to Sing About should be released HON. BOB ETHERIDGE About Love, The Swan Princess II, Escape soon. OF NORTH CAROLINA from Castle Mountain. Ms. LaBelle is also well known as a humani- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Sills holds degrees in theatre from the tarian. She serves as spokeswoman for the University of Michigan and the American Con- National Medical Association, the Minority Wednesday, September 16, 1998 servatory Theatre. He is a two-time AIDS Council's ``Live Long Sugar'' campaign, Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Dramalogue Award winner and a charter the National Cancer Institute and the Amer- to promote the Drug-Free America Blue Rib- member of the Antaeus Project at the Mark ican Diabetes Association. The National Can- bon Campaign. As part of a resolution detail- Taper Forum and Produced Dinah Was in Los cer Institute will receive $90 million in addi- ing how our children are at risk, the U.S. Angeles. His role of Percy in The Scarlet Pim- tional research funding and $10 million a year House of Representatives has declared Sep- pernel has brought him numerous honors in- over the next five years for education and out- tember 13±19, 1998, as Blue Ribbon Week. cluding the 1998 Theatre Award for Best Actor reach programs if The Laurie Beechman Me- This selected week, shortly after most children and the Drama League Award for Outstanding morial Act, which I was proud to author, be- return to school, allows Americans to join to- Artists. He was also nominated for the 1998 comes law. gether in waging a strong campaign to win the Best Actor Tony Award and as Best Actor for Mr. Speaker, these two extraordinary artists War on Drugs by the year 2002. We must pro- the Outer Critics Circle Award, FANY Award are a clear example of the spirit of the enter- tect our children from drugs and we must sup- and the Theatre World Award. tainment community when it comes to helping port our law enforcement community in the Patti LaBelle is a musical sensation, daz- those in need. Patti LaBelle has a long record fight to keep our streets safe. zling audiences for an incredible 37 years. of working for a variety of causes and has The efforts to reduce the incidence of sub- Born in Philadelphia, Ms. LaBelle has been been an outstanding member of the Greater stance abuse, including abuse of alcohol and singing all her life, first as a child in the Beu- Philadelphia community for many years. Doug- illicit, drugs is a major public policy issue in lah Baptist Church gospel choir and then, as las Sills is a young man with a bright future the United States. An estimated 52 million a teenager, in the legendary girl group Patti ahead of him. An excellent singer, Douglas Americans experience a mental health or sub- LaBelle and the Bluebells. In 1961, the Blue- has also shown a keen acting skill which will stance abuse problem every year, with less