[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E303]]


         SWING INTO SPRING: A HARLEM TRIBUTE TO LIONEL HAMPTON

                                 ______


                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker and Members of this great body, It is said, 
``give me my flowers now while I am still around to enjoy them''.
  I rise to pay tribute once again to an individual who really needs no 
introduction * * * to one who certainly in his lifetime has made an 
impact on the world as a great American, an ambassador of goodwill, a 
musical genius, and without a doubt, a living legend. If you have not 
guessed by now, the person of whom I speak is none other than Lionel 
Hampton.
  On Tuesday, March 19, I, as chairman of the board of the Apollo 
Theatre Foundation, Inc., and executive producers Grace Blake and Bill 
Titone, will present ``Swing Into Spring''--A Harlem Tribute to Lionel 
Hampton.
  This star-studded musical tribute marks an opportunity to celebrate 
the life and accomplishments of Lionel Hampton by his many friends, 
admirers, and those who have benefited from his work and musical 
greatness.
  Whether you are familiar with his musical accomplishments or not, 
over the years, Lionel Hampton has known no status where he was not 
eagerly accepted, as he has been well received the world over by 
Presidents, politicians, kings, and queens. His very music has caused 
the walls of Communist nations to come tumbling down.
  However, it is not only for his music that Lionel Hampton is well 
known for he is also a staunch leader in the community. His fame has 
not let him forget the homeless and the hopeless. A long supporter of 
public housing, he developed the Lionel Hampton Houses in the early 
1970's and upon completion, built the Gladys Hampton Houses, named for 
his late wife. To this day, those projects are considered among the 
best in the Nation.
  The Lionel Hampton Community Development Corp. has built more than 
500 low and moderate income apartments in my congressional district of 
Harlem alone.
  Lionel Hampton holds more than 15 honorary doctorates and received 
the gold medal of Paris, its highest cultural award, from its Mayor, 
Jacques Chirac. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the 
Kennedy Center in 1991 by President George Bush, and in December 1992, 
he was awarded a prestigious Kennedy Center honor for his lifetime 
career achievements as a musician and teacher. Since then, he continues 
to produce educational events and considers the real highlight of his 
career as having the music school at the University of Idaho named for 
him--the Lionel Hampton School of Jazz.
  Whether you are black or white, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, 
I am sure you would agree that Lionel Hampton represents the very best 
of America. It is in this instance that March 19 will be proclaimed 
``Lionel Hampton Day'' in New York City and New York State.

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