[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 381 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 381

 Recognizing the accomplishments and significant contributions of Ray 
                     Charles to the world of music.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 16, 2004

  Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself, Mr. Miller, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. 
 Graham of Florida, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following resolution; 
                   which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the accomplishments and significant contributions of Ray 
                     Charles to the world of music.

Whereas Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930, to Bailey 
        and Aretha Robinson in Albany, Georgia, was one of the greatest musical 
        artists of the United States;
Whereas Ray Charles, who as an infant moved with his family to Greenville, 
        Florida, and, after suffering an illness that left him blind, attended 
        the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind from 1937 to 1945, where 
        he learned not only how to read Braille, but how to write music and play 
        the piano, trumpet, clarinet, and alto saxophone;
Whereas during the course of his 58-year career, Ray Charles defied easy 
        classification, as his music spanned all genres, and many talented 
        musicians from the world of rhythm and blues, popular music, jazz, 
        gospel, country, and rock and roll have noted his strong influence on 
        their careers;
Whereas his talent has long been recognized by the recording industry and his 
        many fans, as he has received 12 Grammy Awards, with the first in 1960 
        and the most recent award in 1993, and had 32 of his songs reach the 
        national Billboard's top 40 pop charts between 1957 and 1971;
Whereas his influence and contributions to the world are evidenced by the 
        numerous honors he has received from organizations, and institutions, 
        including: the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of 
        Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Florida 
        Artists Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Black 
        Achievement Awards television show sponsored by Johnson Publishing 
        Company, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Helen Keller Personal 
        Achievement Award from the American Foundation for the Blind, and an 
        honorary doctorate of fine arts from the University of South Florida in 
        Tampa;
Whereas Ray Charles has received praise from Republican and Democratic 
        Administrations with the adoption of ``Georgia on My Mind'' as the 
        Georgia State song in 1979, an invitation in 1984 to perform at the 
        Republican National Convention and President Reagan's inaugural ball in 
        1985, recognition in 1986 as a legend by the Kennedy Center Honors, and 
        the presentation of a National Medal of Arts by President Clinton in 
        1993;
Whereas Ray Charles was a great humanitarian and activist who provided financial 
        support to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the civil rights 
        struggle, and joined with other recording artists to record ``We Are the 
        World'', a project that brought world awareness and financial assistance 
        to the millions dying from starvation in Africa;
Whereas during the course of his life he persevered, overcoming the tremendous 
        obstacles that he encountered in the early stages of his career due to 
        racism and prejudice because of his blindness, to become one of the 
        greatest and defining musical talents of all time; and
Whereas this great American, Ray Charles, died on June 10, 2004: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes Ray Charles as one of the greatest American 
        musicians of all time;
            (2) honors Ray Charles for his contributions to music, 
        culture, community, and the United States;
            (3) offers its appreciation to Ray Charles for sharing his 
        musical gifts with the world; and
            (4) extends its deepest sympathy to the family and the 
        loved ones of Ray Charles.
                                 <all>