[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 668 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 668

 Honoring the life, contributions, and achievements of Koko Taylor and 
   expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on her 
                                passing.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 22, 2009

 Mr. Jackson of Illinois submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the life, contributions, and achievements of Koko Taylor and 
   expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives on her 
                                passing.

Whereas Koko Taylor was born in a sharecropper's cabin outside Memphis, 
        Tennessee, on September 28, 1928;
Whereas as a child, Ms. Taylor was encouraged by her father to perform gospel 
        music;
Whereas at 18, Ms. Taylor and her future husband, the late Robert ``Pop'' 
        Taylor, moved to Chicago where she first started as a housekeeper, then 
        moved on to the South Side of Chicago's lively club scene to perform 
        with legendary blues musicians;
Whereas Ms. Taylor's 1965 signature hit ``Wang Dang Doodle'' sold over 1,000,000 
        copies and launched her into blues stardom;
Whereas Ms. Taylor's bandleader status and powerful voice in a male-dominated 
        blues music era broke down many barriers for female artists who 
        followed;
Whereas Ms. Taylor has been awarded 29 Blues Music Awards, a record number of 
        awards for a blues artist;
Whereas Ms. Taylor was the recipient of the National Endowment of the Arts 
        Heritage Fellowship Award, among the highest honors given to an American 
        artist;
Whereas Ms. Taylor was the winner of a 1984 Grammy Award for her contribution to 
        the compilation album ``Blues Explosion'' and was a Grammy Award nominee 
        for 8 of her solo blues albums;
Whereas Ms. Taylor's powerhouse vocals, critical acclaim, and widespread 
        commercial success earned her induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 
        1997 and the Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999;
Whereas Ms. Taylor's superior talent and status as ``The Queen of Blues'' has 
        earned her appearances in film, television, and print media both 
        domestically and internationally;
Whereas Ms. Taylor has been deemed one of the great female blues singers of her 
        generation and has influenced musicians across all genres and 
        generations; and
Whereas Ms. Taylor founded the Koko Taylor Celebrity Aid Foundation, providing 
        social services to the arts and entertainment industry, helping educate 
        artists and entertainers about their rights in the industry: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors Koko Taylor for her significant contributions to 
        both blues music and the entertainment industry as a whole, for 
        serving as an influence and inspiration to future generations 
        of musicians, and for bringing joy to millions of people around 
        the world; and
            (2) expresses profound sorrow at the death of Koko Taylor 
        and condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
                                 <all>