[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 208 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 208

  Observing the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Leslie ``Wes'' 
     Montgomery and commemorating his contributions to jazz music.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 8, 2023

 Mr. Carson submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

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                               RESOLUTION


 
  Observing the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Leslie ``Wes'' 
     Montgomery and commemorating his contributions to jazz music.

Whereas, on March 6, 1923, John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery (referred to in this 
        resolution as ``Wes Montgomery'') was born to Frances and Tom Montgomery 
        in Indianapolis, Indiana;
Whereas Wes Montgomery was naturally gifted in the musical arts and became 
        proficient on the 4- and 6-string guitar in his youth;
Whereas Wes Montgomery was a self-taught musician and learned to play guitar by 
        listening to recordings of jazz guitarist Charlie Christian;
Whereas Wes Montgomery developed a unique fingerstyle playing technique uncommon 
        to jazz guitarists in his day, using the thumb to play bass notes 
        simultaneously with melodic lines;
Whereas Wes Montgomery crafted diverse and unconventional rhythms that became a 
        defining representation of bebop-style jazz guitar;
Whereas Wes Montgomery became famous after performing in jazz clubs in 
        Indianapolis and was later recruited to tour with the Lionel Hampton 
        Orchestra;
Whereas, in 1957, Wes Montgomery joined his brothers Buddy and Monk to perform 
        with other bands and record music with Pacific Jazz Records;
Whereas, following the release of Wes Montgomery's albums ``The Wes Montgomery 
        Trio'' and ``The Incredible Guitar of Wes Montgomery'', Wes Montgomery's 
        music became famous internationally, and his band traveled extensively 
        in Europe in the spring of 1965;
Whereas, in 1967, Wes Montgomery's album ``A Day in the Life'' was rated the 
        premier album on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, 2nd on the Billboard 
        R&B Albums chart, and 13th on the Billboard 200 chart; and
Whereas, on June 15, 1968, Wes Montgomery passed at his home in Indianapolis: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the contributions of John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery to 
        jazz music continue to enrich the music industry and inspire 
        countless musicians across the world; and
            (2) the legacy of John Leslie ``Wes'' Montgomery as a great 
        Hoosier musician should be recognized and celebrated.
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