[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO REV. MILTON BRUNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to 
comment on the life and legacy of a great musician, tremendous 
clergyman, dedicated community leader, and a wonderful American, the 
late Reverend Milton Brunson, who passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 
1997. I share the words of his wife Joanne that ``Reverend Brunson 
touched so many people's lives its hard to imagine''.
  On April 25, 1997, Reverend Brunson would have celebrated the 49th 
anniversary of the Thompson Community Singers, which he helped to found 
in 1948. At the age of 18, while a senior at McKinley High School and 
director of the Gospel Chorus at St. Stephens A.M.E. Church, Reverend 
Brunson teamed up with Dorothy Mercer Chandler to found the Thompson 
Community Singers. Ms. Chandler, a gifted organist in her own right, 
worked closely with Reverend Brunson to keep the group together for 49 
years, performing across the United States and throughout the world. 
The Thompson Singers performed at the Chicago Gospel Festival, the 
Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden in New York, and on stages in 
England, Italy, and other foreign countries.
  On several occasions, the Thompson Singers produced the No. 1 
religious recording, and, in fact, won a Grammy Award. Under the 
leadership of Reverend Brunson, nearly 1,000 individuals were members 
of the Thompson Singers; also known as the Tommies. Jesse Dixon Mays, 
Ricky Dillard, Deloris Stamps, Ethel Holloway, and Angela Spivey, were 
just a few of the famous vocalists who performed with the Tommies.
  In 1992, the Thompson Community Singers, directed by Tyrone Black 
received the Stellar Awards for Choir of the Year, Song of the Year for 
``My Mind's Made Up'', and writer of the year, Darius Brooks. In 1995, 
Reverend Brunson and the Tommies won a Grammy Award for the recording 
``Through God's Eyes.''
  After several years of singing and choir directing, Reverend Brunson 
accepted a call to the ministry and built up the Christ Tabernacle 
Baptist Church located at 854 North Central Street in Chicago, IL. 
Under the direction of Reverend Brunson, Christ Tabernacle went from 
its humble beginnings to a major religious institution, with over 2,000 
actively participating members.
  Rev. Milton Brunson will always be remembered as a legend and a 
legacy. We thank him for his contributions and we wish the best for his 
wife Jo Ann, daughters, Donna Louise, Sanita Monique, son Kevin, and 
sisters, brother, and grandchildren. A talented individual, a dedicated 
and inspiring leader, a wise teacher, and a great American was the 
Reverend Milton Brunson.

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