14704 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 11 June 10, 2009 Micro-banking project enabling third world A TRIBUTE TO BLUES In 1998, Chicago Magazine named Koko countries to develop entrepreneurial skills and LEGEND CORA ‘‘KOKO’’ TAYLOR ‘‘Chicagoan of the Year’’ and, in 1999, she become self sufficient. (1928–2009) was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall I hope my colleagues will join me in recog- of Fame. ‘‘There are many kings of the blues,’’ nizing the many fine achievements of Patrick HON. BOBBY L. RUSH said The Boston Globe at the time, ‘‘but only Hurley. Without question, his leadership and OF ILLINOIS one queen. Koko’s voice is still capable of pin- fine work of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ning a listener to the back wall.’’ are worthy of recognition by the House today. Wednesday, June 10, 2009 There is no doubt she was the queen of the blues and Koko Taylor’s legacy will live on Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, American f through her music. She has influenced a num- music legend, KoKo Taylor, the ‘‘Queen of the ber of musicians including , A TRIBUTE IN RECOGNITION OF Blues,’’ died June 3, 2009 in Chicago. Her and . Her ADRIAN STRAKER masterful voice represented the spirit of Chi- voice lives on in her recordings. We all are cago—proud, loud and full of life. forever indebted to her for her contributions to Born September 28, 1928, in Bartlett, Ten- America’s rich music history. HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS nessee, on a small farm to a family of share- f OF NEW YORK croppers, Cora Walton would one day be known throughout the world as ‘‘KoKo Taylor.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING MR. MARK E. NEIHLS She earned her nickname because of a love Wednesday, June 10, 2009 of chocolate. Orphaned by age 11, along with her five brothers and sisters, Koko developed HON. JIM GERLACH Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today a love for music from a mixture of gospel she OF PENNSYLVANIA in recognition of Adrian Straker, a tireless ad- heard in church and blues she heard on radio IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES vocate for children in our community. stations. With one brother accompanying her Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Adrian Mary Levell was raised in Bedford on a guitar strung with baling wire and another Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, graduated from Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise brother on a fife, made out of a corncob, Koko today to honor a pioneer of private education Midwood High School with honors, received began her career as a blues woman. who has provided 25 years of faithful service her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from In her early 20s, Koko and her soon-to-be to the students, families and staff at Coventry Northwestern University, and attended grad- husband, the late Robert ‘‘Pops’’ Taylor, uate school at Long Island University, receiv- moved to Chicago looking for work. With noth- Christian Schools in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. ing her Master of Science in Counseling and ing but, in Koko’s words, ‘‘35 cents and a box Mark E. Neihls started planning a preschool Development. of Ritz crackers,’’ the couple settled on the and registered Christian school in 1983, pour- Following the completion of her studies, city’s South Side, the cradle of the rough- ing amazing amounts of energy into fulfilling Adrian began her career in public service as edged sound of . Taylor found his vision of providing a world-class education a caseworker in the foster care unit at St. Vin- work cleaning houses for wealthy families in to students in Montgomery, Chester and Berks cent’s Services in Brooklyn, NY. There Adrian the ritzy northern suburbs. At night and on Counties. developed her passion for helping to solve the weekends, Koko and Pops would visit the Coventry Christian was incorporated in 1984 dilemmas and socio-economic challenges of South and West Side blues clubs, where they and opened with seven preschool students urban life. For the past 17 years, Adrian has would hear singers like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ taught by two volunteer teachers. Thanks to been a guidance counselor at Public School Wolf, Magic Sam, and Junior Mr. Neihls’ outstanding leadership as super- 32 serving the Carroll Gardens-Gowanus Wells. And, thanks to prodding from Pops, it intendent, the School has grown to more than Housing Development community, where she wasn’t long before Taylor was sitting in with 400 students in preschool through 12th grade interacts daily with neighborhood youth and many of the legendary blues artists on a reg- and has more than 50 employees on two cam- their families serving as the link between ular basis. puses. classroom teachers, parents, guardians, ad- Ms. Taylor’s big break came in 1963 when, Mr. Neihls earned the respect of students, ministration officials, and on-site medical/men- after one of her signature fiery performances, teachers and their families by refusing a pay- tal health programs to ensure a student’s songwriter/arranger approached check for 19 years while, at the same time, overall academic achievement and personal her. Much to Koko’s astonishment, he told her, often working six days a week and being development. ‘‘My God, I never heard a woman sing the available to students well beyond regular school hours Adrian also recently served on the staff of blues like you sing the blues.’’ Dixon first re- Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz corded Koko for USA Records and, then, se- join me today in honoring Mark E. Neihls for as the Director of Community Boards. In this cured a recording contract for his 25 years of humble service as founder and role, she managed a staff of community rela- her. He produced several singles and two al- superintendent of Coventry Christian Schools tions personnel who maintained interactive re- bums for her—including her huge 1966 hit sin- and recognizing his unwavering commitment lationships with community board chairpersons gle —firmly establishing to a high standard of educational excellence in and district managers. She also served as the Koko as the world’s number one female blues a Christian setting. borough president’s chief architect of faith- talent. Over the course of her nearly 50-year ca- based relationships. f reer, Ms. Taylor received numerous awards Adrian is member of Alpha Kappa Alpha So- for her music. She signed with Alligator INTRODUCING H.R. 2548, THE KEEP rority, Inc. and has served as regional officer Records in 1975 and recorded nine albums for AMERICA’S WATERFRONTS and charities chairperson. She is also the past the label, eight of which were Grammy-nomi- WORKING ACT OF 2009 vice chairperson of the Brooklyn Chapter of nated, and came to dominate the female blues Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Adrian sits on singer ranks, winning 25 W.C. Handy Awards, HON. CHELLIE PINGREE numerous professional and community boards more than any other artist. In 1984, she re- OF MAINE including Inner City Little League Brooklyn, ceived a Grammy for the live, multi-artist IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Northwestern University Alumni Association, album Blues Explosion on Atlantic Records. In St. Mark’s Independent Block Association, 2004, KoKo was presented with the coveted Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Cornerstone Baptist Church Support Services National Heritage Fellowship Award from the Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, and is a founding member of the Concerned National Endowment for The Arts. She also coastal communities across this nation are in Crew of Bedford Stuyvesant. earned 25 Blues Music Awards, more than trouble. Fishermen who have spent their lives Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize any other blues artist, male or female. On on the water—the sons and daughters of fish- Adrian Straker, a visionary leader and an in- March 3, 1993, Chicago Mayor Richard M. ermen, the grandchildren of fishermen, fisher- spiration to all of New York. Daley honored the songstress with a Legend men from families that have been fishing for Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to of The Year Award, and declared ‘‘Koko Tay- generations, have hung up their boots and do join me in paying tribute to Adrian Straker. lor Day’’ throughout Chicago. not go out sea any more. My friends and

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