[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 111 (Thursday, September 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF LIONEL HAMPTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 2002

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Lionel 
Hampton, one of the greatest jazz musicians ever and a personal friend. 
Hamp, also known as the ``Vibes President of the United States,'' 
passed away on Saturday, August 31, but he lives on because of his many 
accomplishments. I could, of course, try to list all of Hamp's awards, 
but there are too many; instead, I'd like to share some personal 
memories I have of Hamp.
  I was able to see him this past April 17, when I hosted a luncheon 
for him here on Capitol Hill, he was surrounded by many friends and 
supporters on the occasion of his 94th birthday. Just this past April 
15, the Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 101, which extended 
best wishes to Hamp for his birthday, and the very next day, the House 
passed the same resolution. Of course, few birthdays could top Hamp's 
90th in 1998, when he played at the White House for President Clinton. 
He proved to all of us that he hadn't slowed down a bit. But playing 
for Presidents was old hat for Hamp. Throughout his career, he also 
played for Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, 
Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
  He also displayed his commitment to higher learning by having no 
fewer than 18 leading institutions award him honorary degrees and by 
having the University of Idaho name its school of music in his honor in 
1987. That was the first time any school of music had been named in 
honor of a jazz musician. In fact, I have had the pleasure of serving 
as an honorary co-chair with President George H.W. Bush of the 
University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton School of Music.
  To make sure his cultural legacy would be preserved, I had the honor 
of helping him donate that vibraphone to the jazz collection at the 
Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History on 
January 30, 2001. His donation will help inspire thousands of budding 
musicians to follow their dreams just as Hamp did.
  If that wasn't enough, Hamp used his mastery of music to cross color 
barriers and set an example for others. He was one of the first black 
musicians to perform in previously white-only venues and events, 
including with the Benny Goodman Quartet from 1936-1940, and as the 
first black musician to perform at a presidential inauguration 
(President Truman's in 1949).
  It isn't possible for me to list all of Hamp's awards, 
accomplishments, and performances, but rest assured, he will live on.

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