[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 449 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  2d Session

                            H. CON. RES. 449

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Honoring the life and accomplishments of Ray Charles, recognizing his 
contributions to the Nation, and extending condolences to his family on 
                               his death.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 449

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas Ray Charles was born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Georgia, on 
        September 23, 1930, the first child of Aretha and Baily Robinson;
Whereas Ray Charles and the Robinson family battled grinding poverty, the 
        Depression, segregation, and young Ray's loss of his sight to glaucoma 
        when he was only 6 years old, but they never gave up hoping and working 
        for a better life;
Whereas while attending the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind in St. 
        Augustine, Florida, Ray Charles learned to read Braille and type, and he 
        developed his musical gifts by learning to compose and arrange music by 
        ear;
Whereas Ray Charles began his career as a professional musician without 
        financial resources, in an era of segregation, and he struggled in 
        poverty for years before attaining success;
Whereas out of his struggle and sacrifice Ray Charles gave the world the classic 
        songs, ``I Got A Woman'', ``Born to Lose'', ``Hit the Road, Jack'', ``I 
        Can't Stop Loving You'', ``Crying Time'', ``Living for the City'', 
        ``Busted'', ``Hard Times'', ``Ruby'', ``The Right Time'', ``Let the Good 
        Times Roll'', ``What'd I Say?'', and ``Hallelujah, I Love Her So'';
Whereas Ray Charles demonstrated a unique ability to perform music in nearly 
        every musical style, whether blues, jazz, gospel, country-western, or 
        rock and roll;
Whereas Ray Charles transformed ``Georgia on My Mind'', an old Stuart Gorrell 
        and Hoagy Carmichael tune from 1930, into a song which is instantly 
        recognized throughout the world and the official song of his native 
        State of Georgia;
Whereas with his unique style of arrangement, Ray Charles gave new life for a 
        new century to one of America's best-known patriotic songs, ``America 
        the Beautiful'';
Whereas during his most productive musical years, Ray Charles provided unfailing 
        personal and financial support to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the 
        struggle to end the practice of racial segregation which had divided the 
        Nation;
Whereas Ray Charles extended his commitment to social reform beyond the United 
        States, publicly opposing apartheid in South Africa and anti-Semitism 
        worldwide;
Whereas Ray Charles was one of the most influential and recognized voices of 
        American music throughout the world, whose influence spanned generations 
        and musical genres; and
Whereas with the death of Ray Charles on June 10, 2004, in Beverly Hills, 
        California, the Nation has lost one of its most prolific and influential 
        musicians: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) honors the life and accomplishments of Ray Charles 
        Robinson;
            (2) recognizes Ray Charles for his invaluable contributions 
        to the Nation, the State of Georgia, and the American musical 
        heritage; and
            (3) extends condolences to the family of Ray Charles on the 
        death of a remarkable man.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 22, 2004.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.