[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1987-E1988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO CELIA CRUZ, THE QUEEN OF LATIN MUSIC

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 9, 1997

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Celia Cruz--world 
renowned singer of Latin music. The Smithsonian Institution will honor 
her on October 16, during a special program entitled `` `tAzucar!,' The 
Smithsonian Honors Celia Cruz''.
  The Smithsonian will present Celia Cruz with the Lifetime Achievement 
Award for Excellence in Music from the National Museum of American 
History's Programa Latino. Celia Cruz, popularly known as the ``Queen 
of Latin Music'', will dontate one of her most famous costumes to the 
National Museum of American History.
  Cruz first rose to fame in her native Cuba as one of the most 
exciting and creative performers of ``mambo'' of the late 40's. Since 
then, Cruz has achieved one success after another. In 1950, she joined 
the legendary orchestra La Sonora Matancera with whom she recorded 20 
gold albums and toured the United States and Latin America. Her 
artistic alliance with Tito Puente--``the King of Latin Music''--as 
well as with Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon, and the Fania All-Stars in 
the 1970's resulted in numerous albums and enduring fame. More 
recently, she has performed with David Byrne, Ray Barretto, Emilio 
Estefan, Willie Chirino, and Olga Tanon.

[[Page E1988]]

  During her successful 50-year career, Celia Cruz has recorded over 70 
albums, won a Grammy Award and 10 Grammy nominations. She performed in 
various films, including ``The Perez Family'' and ``The mambo Kings'', 
and has been recognized with more than 100 awards from publications and 
institutions around the world. Among other honors, Cruz received an 
honorary doctorate from Yale University, a star on Hollywood Boulevard, 
and recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Celia Cruz 
for her extraordinary talent, her vibrant contributions to the history 
of music, and her generous gift to the Smithsonian Institution.

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