[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 146 (Friday, October 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       A TRIBUTE TO LIL GREENWOOD

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I recognize the life and 
career of one of Alabama's musical legends, the great jazz singer Lil 
Greenwood.
  Lil Greenwood is a living legend. She was born on November 18, 1923, 
as the youngest daughter of the late Maggie and Reverend Sylvester 
George, Sr. It was at her father's side, at the age of 3, that she 
began to sing in the church that he served.
  A native of Prichard, AL she grew up in Mobile County and graduated 
from Alabama State College. Her talents were evident to all those who 
knew her. In fact, it was the encouragement and support she received 
from the Mobile County Schools Music Supervisor that fanned the flame 
of ambition within her, and it was a generous gift of bus fare from a 
former principal that allowed her to head to Oakland, CA to follow her 
dream.
  It was in California that Lil Greenwood was to be ``discovered.'' 
During a performance at the famed Purple Onion in San Francisco, she 
was heard by no less than the legendary Duke Ellington. Needless to 
say, the Duke was suitably impressed. After hearing her sing, he 
commented that ``the girl has a voice that's a mixture of Marian 
Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Mahalia Jackson.'' 
These women were the embodiments of jazz and blues singing, and it is 
inconceivable that a greater compliment could have been paid.
  Recently, my home State of Alabama passed a proclamation honoring Ms. 
Greenwood for her personal and professional accomplishments. In honor 
of her upcoming 80th birthday, I would like to take this opportunity to 
read that proclamation into the Congressional Record.
  The Proclamation reads as follows:

       Whereas, born Lillian George on November 18, 1923, a native 
     of Prichard, Alabama in Mobile county and affectionately and 
     professionally known as Lil Greenwood; and
       Whereas, Lil received her grade-school education in Mobile 
     County and graduated from Alabama state college; and
       Whereas, she made her master-level vocal recording as early 
     as 1950 and on such recording labels as Modern, Federal, 
     Tangerine, and Columbia Records and also backed Ray Charles 
     on Paramount Records; and
       Whereas, Lil Greenwood was the featured vocalist with The 
     Duke Ellington Orchestra and co-authored with Duke Ellington 
     and Billy Strayhorn. She has performed in many places around 
     the world, including the Far East and Europe. She has also 
     performed at many famous spots stateside including, The Blue 
     Note in Chicago, the Apollo in New York and in the San 
     Francisco Bay-Area and Oakland; and
       Whereas, she has appeared on numerous television shows 
     including ``The Tonight Show'', with Johnny Carson, ``Good 
     Times,'' ``The Jeffersons,'' ``The Flip Wilson Show,'' and 
     ``Grady'' and on stage she has portrayed major characters in 
     such musicals as ``Hello Dolly,'' ``My People,'' ``Buffalo 
     Chips,'' ``Wedding Band,'' ``Back Alley Tales'' and ``Dark 
     Symphony''; and
       Whereas, Lil Greenwood returned home and remains an active 
     and revered jazz singer in Alabama and has been inducted into 
     the Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival Hall of 
     Fame:
       Now, therefore, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of 
     Alabama, do hereby proclaim July 28, 2003, as Lil Greenwood 
     Day in the State of Alabama and encourage the citizens of 
     Alabama to show their support.

  As is obvious by the proclamation issued by the Governor of Alabama, 
Lil Greenwood has lived a life where her gifts have brought and still 
continue to bring joy to a great many people. It is only appropriate 
that we take the occasion of her upcoming birthday to recognize her for 
her contributions.

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