[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXTENDING BIRTHDAY GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES TO LIONEL HAMPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2002

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Con. Res. 363 
extending birthday greetings and best wishes to Lionel Hampton on the 
Occasion of his 94th birthday.
  I also take great pleasure in not only paying tribute to a great 
American and renowned jazz artist, but to recognize a constituent, a 
friend, and a community leader--Lionel Hampton.
  Because of the enormous volume of work Lionel Hampton has 
consistently contributed to the National Endowment of the Arts, only 
his most outstanding contributions will be listed in these remarks.
  Lionel Hampton was the first black musician to perform for a 
presidential inauguration; President Harry S. Truman in 1949. He also 
was one of the first black musicians to perform in venues and events 
previously opened only to white performers, including performances with 
the Benny Goodman Quartet from 1936-1940.
  Mr. Hampton furthered the cause of cultural understanding and 
international communication. He received a Papal Medallion from Pope 
Pius XII, the Israel Statehood Award, and served as a Goodwill 
Ambassador for the United States. He also received the Honor Cross for 
Science and the Arts, First Class, one of Austria's highest 
decorations. Lionel Hampton is one of the most recorded artists in the 
history of jazz.
  For decades, Lionel Hampton has worked to perpetuate the art form of 
jazz by offering his talent, inspiration, and production acumen to the 
University of Idaho, since 1983. In 1985, the University of Idaho named 
its school of music after him. He became the first jazz musician to 
have both a music school and jazz festival named in his honor.
  His composition, Midnight Sun, became a jazz classic and his two 
major symphonic works, The King David Suite and Blues Suite, have been 
performed by major orchestras throughout the world. Mr. Hampton has 
received many honors during his distinguished career and has been a 
frequent guest and performer at the White House.
  President Ronald Reagan once conducted a jazz salute to him. In 1992, 
he received the Kennedy Center Honors award, and in 1995, he was the 
focus of a Kennedy Center all-star gala. In 1996, Lionel Hampton's 
original recording Flying Home was entered into the Grammy Hall of 
Fame. He holds more than 15 honorary doctorate degrees.
  As a constituent, Lionel Hampton's talent and fame has not 
compromised his commitment to community service. He is a long-term 
supporter of public housing and a staunch advocate for the homeless. In 
the early 1970s, he developed the Lionel Hampton Housing community and 
later built the Gladys Hampton Housing community in honor of his late 
wife. As of this date, those communities are considered to be among the 
premier public housing communities in the country. The Lionel Hampton 
Community Development Corporation has built more than 500 low and 
moderate income apartments in my Congressional District of Harlem 
alone.
  Lionel Hampton's contributions to excellence to the art form of jazz, 
personal commitment to community development, and outstanding 
accomplishment to cultural diversity has more than secured his musical 
genius in the world of jazz. His record and commitment to jazz is 
unparallel. His legacy and commitment to excellence, education, and 
inspiration continue to gain him special recognition as ``leader,'' 
``genius,'' and ``jazz great.''
  Lionel Hampton has received numerous awards and commendations by 
local and State governments, and has received acknowledgments from 
hundreds of civic and performance groups. It is for these reasons, that 
it is both an honor as well as a pleasure for me to submit these 
remarks in the Congressional Record in his behalf, for the decades of 
outstanding service and achievements to this American hero, acclaimed 
jazz artist, and community activist from my Congressional District.

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