[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 661 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 661
Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2025, as ``Chuck
Brown Day'', and honoring Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to
the District of Columbia.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 22, 2025
Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2025, as ``Chuck
Brown Day'', and honoring Chuck Brown's contributions to music and to
the District of Columbia.
Whereas Chuck Brown is known as the ``Godfather of Go-Go'' because he was the
major architect of the musical genre known as ``go-go'', a unique mix of
funk, soul, and Latin party sounds, whose popularity continues today;
Whereas Chuck Brown, who was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away at the age
of 75 on May 16, 2012, was a resident of the District of Columbia most
of his life;
Whereas Chuck Brown, who taught himself to play guitar, became a virtuoso
singer, songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader;
Whereas Chuck Brown's go-go beat gave the District of Columbia a musical
identity of its own and reminds the Nation that the District of Columbia
has always been the hometown of talented artists;
Whereas Chuck Brown's musical catalog spans 22 studio albums over 3 decades;
Whereas Chuck Brown's hit ``Bustin' Loose'', with his group, the Soul Searchers,
was the top song on the Billboard Top 100 R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1979;
Whereas Chuck Brown earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song ``Love'',
from his album entitled ``We Got This'', and was awarded a National
Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005;
Whereas Chuck Brown's go-go has been passed from generation to generation with
undiminished popularity;
Whereas Chuck Brown influenced jazz, rap, and go-go musicians, such as the bands
Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, and Experience Unlimited (also known as
``E.U.'');
Whereas Chuck Brown was so committed to securing statehood and equal voting
rights for the residents of the District of Columbia that he played a
concert on a very hot, humid day on the United States Capitol Grounds in
2010;
Whereas the District of Columbia has named a street located near the historic
Howard Theatre for Chuck Brown;
Whereas the District of Columbia has named a park located at 2901 20th Street
NE, for Chuck Brown;
Whereas go-go is the official music of the District of Columbia;
Whereas Chuck Brown is admired for having risen from humble beginnings and
overcoming time in prison to become a devoted father and family man;
Whereas Chuck Brown was a great, multitalented musician who brought joy through
his music, never stopping until his death; and
Whereas August 22, 2025, is Chuck Brown's birthday: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
designation of ``Chuck Brown Day'', and honors Chuck Brown's
contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.
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