[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DAVID BRYON COLE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
deeds of a distinguished musician, David Bryon Cole of Passaic, New 
Jersey, who is being feted today because of his remarkable talents and 
legacy. It is only fitting that Passaic High School rename its music 
suite for David, for he epitomizes a strong spirit and never forgot 
from where he came.
  David Bryon Cole was born to Sandra Cole-Turner on June 3, 1962 in 
Johnson City, Tennessee. He attended elementary there for a short while 
before his family moved to Passaic. Once in New Jersey he continued his 
education, and went on to graduate from Passaic High School in 1980. 
During high school, David's main pursuit was music. It was at this time 
that he proved himself to be a remarkable pianist, soloist, accompanist 
and arranger.
  David, always an active and involved musician, learned much of his 
skill in the church. One of the most influential teachers in young 
David's life was the Reverend Roberts of the First Baptist Church in 
Nutley, New Jersey. David's nascent talents began to flourish under the 
Pastor's tutelage. The time spent working with Reverend Roberts 
instilled in David the attributes necessary for him to become a stellar 
force in the music industry. It was the small steps in the beginning of 
his career that taught him the fundamentals that would make him a role 
model to scores upon scores of people worldwide.
  David Cole has had a varied career, which has taken him to the top of 
the charts. His professional career included working with the group Two 
Puerto Ricans, a Black Man, and a Dominican. David was also the 
accompanist for the Weather Girls. In addition, David performed as a 
dance club keyboardist and it was in a club in New York where he met 
his future partner Robert Clivilles.
  David and Robert combined their talents and dreams to establish C+C 
Music Factory. This productive union spawned many other groups 
including Seduction, Soul System and Trilogy. In addition to 
contributing to C+C Music Factory, David completed many projects for 
some of the largest and most influential recording companies in 
America. He was known to be one of the best producers, and his skills 
were widely sought after.
  This native of Tennessee, who later moved to New Jersey, found fame 
and fortune around the world. C+C Music Factory worked with London's 
famed Ministry of Sound and produced projects in Japan.
  David continually made his mark on the music world by writing and 
producing songs for some of the best-known recording artists of our 
time. These legendary artists include Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, 
Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Donna Summer along with many 
others.
  In 1993, David and his partner Robert received a Grammy for Album of 
the Year. They received the award for their contributions as producers 
of one of best-selling soundtrack albums of all time, ``The 
Bodyguard.'' In total, C+C Music Factory won twenty-eight awards 
including five American Music Awards, five Billboard Awards and two MTV 
Video Music Awards. The world lost a truly remarkable man when David 
passed away on January 24, 1995.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the City of Passaic, 
David's family, his friends and me, in recognizing the outstanding 
achievements in the areas of music and production of David Bryon Cole.

                          ____________________