[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E186-E187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO HONOR NANCY WILSON

                                 ______


                           HON. KWEISI MFUME

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 1996

  Mr. MFUME. Speaker, I am both pleased and proud to be here today to 
honor one of the finest entertainers and the pride of Chillicothe, OH--
Nancy Wilson.
  Ms. Wilson's career in the performing arts has lasted some 40 plus 
years. Since the age of 4 years, Nancy Wilson knew she wanted to become 
a singer. She sang in the church choir and listened avidly to and was 
influenced by a litany of musical talent, among them Billy Eckstine, 
Louis Jordan, Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, Nat King Cole, and big band 
vocalists such as Jimmy Rushing and Little Jimmy Scott.
  As an active vocalist during her teenage years, Nancy Wilson sang in 
nightclubs and made local television appearances. And in 1956-58 she 
toured the Midwest and Canada with Rusty Bryant's band.
  In 1959, her biggest career break came when she performed with jazz 
great Cannonball Adderley. She soon signed a contract with Capitol 
Records and in 1962 recorded an album with Adderley.
  Nancy Wilson received rave reviews from several prominent jazz 
musicians and thereafter was booked for numerous appearances in concert 
halls, nightclubs, and jazz clubs throughout the United States and 
Europe. Her career has continued to blossom ever since.
  Ms. Wilson is a ``grounded in reality'' kind of person. She is a 
woman that gives her time and talent to various charities and community 
projects.
  The Wilson family created the Nancy Wilson Foundation to permit 
inner-city children to see the country and experience alternate 
lifestyles. She has also worked with the Martin Luther King Center for 
Social Change, the National Urban Coalition, and the Warwick 
Foundation.
  Ms. Wilson is a member of the N.A.A.C.P.; the S.C.L.C.; Operation 
PUSH, for which she is chairperson; the President's Council for 
Minority Business Enterprises; the Committee for the Kennedy Center for 
Performing Arts; and the United Negro College Fund.
  Among her many awards, Nancy Wilson earned the Johnson and Johnson 
Red Ruby Award, after working with the company's prenatal care 
promotion. Her other achievements are an Emmy in 1975 for ``The Nancy 
Wilson Show''; the N.A.A.C.P. Image Award--1986; Grammy Award for ``How 
Glad I Am''--1964; Entertainer of the Year Award presented by Atlantic 
City Magazine; the Global Entertainer of the Year Award presented by 
the World Conference of Mayors--1986; the Paul Robeson Humanitarian 
Award; first place in the 

[[Page E187]]
1983 Japan Song Festival Competition; and an award from the United 
Negro College Fund--1986.
  Nancy Wilson, along with your millions of fans world-wide, and all of 
those whose lives you have touched with your generosity and selfless 
works, I thank you for the many contributions you have made.

                          ____________________