[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3921-H3922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT LIONEL HAMPTON SHOULD BE HONORED FOR 
                  HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN MUSIC

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 63) expressing the sense of 
Congress that Lionel Hampton should be honored for his contributions to 
American music.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 63

       Whereas Lionel Hampton was one of the Nation's greatest 
     jazz musicians, composers, and band leaders;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton was one of the first musicians to 
     play the vibraphone in jazz, setting the standard for mastery 
     of that instrument;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton nurtured and inspired many of the 
     greatest performers of jazz music who would go on to fame in 
     their own right;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton shattered the racial barriers of his 
     time when he was recruited to perform with the Benny Goodman 
     band in the 1930s, creating for the first time an integrated 
     public face of jazz music;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton, with his performances around the 
     world, was a musical ambassador of goodwill and friendship 
     for the United States;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton was never deterred by fame from 
     contributing to the Harlem, New York, community that he 
     viewed as his home;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton was active in the development of 
     affordable housing, among them Harlem's Gladys Hampton 
     Houses, named after his late wife, the former Gladys Riddle;
       Whereas Lionel Hampton performed at the White House under 
     Republican and Democratic presidents and was honored with the 
     Presidential Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton; and
       Whereas Lionel Hampton was born in Louisville, Kentucky on 
     April 20, 1908, and died in New York City on August 31, 2002: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that Lionel 
     Hampton should be honored for his contributions to American 
     music and for his work as an ambassador of goodwill and 
     democracy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Con. Res. 63.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support in H. Con. Res. 63, and H. Con. Res. 63 
expresses the sense of Congress that Lionel Hampton should be honored 
for his contributions to American music.
  Starting in the 1930s on the vibraphone as a contemporary of Louis 
Armstrong and Benny Goodman, and staying active into the 1990s, Lionel 
Hampton built one of the towering careers in jazz music. A multi-
instrumentalist, Hampton also enjoyed unmatched popularity as a 
bandleader, showman and social activist.
  As a musician his greatest impact was on the vibraphone, becoming the 
first great jazz improviser on the instrument. Over the years his big 
band featured some of the best known singers and musicians in jazz 
history, and it became one of the longest running and commercially 
successful institutions in jazz. He also recorded extensively in many 
all-star small group projects at both sideman and leader.
  Hampton became one of America's most-beloved musical figures. His 
astonishing longevity and extroverted personality made him a favorite 
of everyone from ordinary music fans to world leaders.
  Lionel Hampton shattered the racial barriers of his time when he was 
recruited to perform with the Benny Goodman band in the 1930s, creating 
for the first time an integrated public face of jazz music
  As a composer and arranger, Hampton wrote more than 200 works, 
including the jazz standards Flying Home, Evil Gal Blues and Midnight 
Sun. He also composed a major symphonic work, King David Suite.
  As a statesman, he was asked by President Eisenhower to serve as a 
goodwill ambassador for the United States, and his band made many tours 
in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, generating a huge 
international following. President George

[[Page H3922]]

Bush, Senior, appointed him to the board of the Kennedy Center, and 
President Clinton awarded him the National Medal of the Arts.
  As a businessman, he established two record labels, his own 
publishing company, and he founded the Lionel Hampton Development 
Corporation to build low-income housing in inner cities.
  In his continuing role as an educator, he began working with the 
University of Idaho in the early 1980s to establish his dream for the 
future of music education. In 1985, the university named its jazz 
festival for him, and in 1987 the university's music school was named 
the Lionel Hampton School of Music.
  Nearly 20 years later, the University of Idaho has developed an 
unprecedented relationship with Hampton by ensuring that his vision 
lives through the Lionel Hampton Center, a $60 million project that 
will provide a home for jazz, housing the university's jazz festival, 
its school of music and its international jazz collection, all designed 
to help teach and preserve the heritage of jazz.
  House Concurrent Resolution 63 expresses the sense of Congress that 
Lionel Hampton should be honored for his contributions to American 
music and for his work as an ambassador of goodwill and democracy. I 
urge my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time;
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume in order to support this resolution which honors Lionel 
Hampton.
  This talented musician was born in Kentucky in 1908 and was raised in 
Chicago. He learned to play the drums while in school and later moved 
to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He is most famous for his 
work with the vibraphone, earning himself the nickname ``the king of 
vibes.''
  In 1930, he joined the Benny Goodman Quartet, making them the first 
racially integrated group of jazz musicians. He also established the 
Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Sunny Side of the Street, Central Avenue 
Breakdown, his signature tune, Flying Home and Hamp's Boogie-Woogie all 
became top-of-the-chart best sellers.
  Hampton visited many different countries as a goodwill ambassador for 
then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  He created the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation in order to 
build low-income housing in the cities.
  Hampton also worked with the University of Idaho to preserve and 
teach the history of jazz music to future generations.
  He died on August 31, 2002.
  In closing, it is fitting for Congress to honor Mr. Hampton's 
contributions to American music, to expanding low-income housing in our 
Nation's cities and for his work as a goodwill ambassador.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a supporter 
of H. Con. Res. 63, which honors and recognizes the life of the late 
Lionel Hampton. This is an honor that is well deserved for a man who 
dedicated his life not only to the performing arts but also to his 
community. I want to thank my distinguished colleague Representative 
Charles Rangel for bringing this bill to the floor and giving 
appreciation to a truly outstanding human being.
  As a jazz musician, Lionel Hampton made a positive impact on the 
world of jazz, as well as on American culture. Often called one of the 
greatest jazz musicians of our time, Lionel Hampton also proved 
outstanding as a composer and band leader. He set new standards for 
musicians across the world. Being a member of the Benny Goodman band he 
set a new standard for integration. By gaining mastery of the 
vibraphone, he set a new standard for jazz. Also known as the ``King of 
the Vibe,'' Hampton led his own orchestra, which gained popularity and 
recognition world-wide. Noteworthy musicians and producers like Quincy 
Jones are products of Lionel Hampton's Orchestra.
  Lionel Hampton's work was praised by some of the highest leaders of 
the land. President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked Hampton to serve as the 
Goodwill Ambassador for the United States. Years later, President 
George Bush, Sr. appointed Hampton to the Board of the Kennedy Center, 
while a few years later President Bill Clinton awarded him the National 
Medal of the Arts.
  An entrepreneur in his own right, Lionel Hampton launched two record 
labels, a publishing company and the Lionel Hampton Development 
Corporation. He also partnered with the University of Idaho, which 
named its School of Music the Lionel Hampton School of Music. And in 
2006, the Lionel Hampton Center will be the home for jazz, housing the 
university's School of Music, the university's jazz festival and its 
International Jazz Collections.
  Lionel Hampton took pride in his home in Harlem, New York, and used 
his platform and affection for his community to contribute to the 
development of affordable housing. His own Lionel Hampton Development 
Corporation led to such developments as the Gladys Hampton Housing 
project, named for his wife whom he married in 1936. Hampton's efforts 
in the housing arena should serve as an example to all, as he used his 
groundbreaking achievements to help others.
  Although Lionel Hampton has been deceased for almost 2 years, his 
music and legacy are alive, thriving and deserving of congressional 
acknowledgment.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I encourage everyone to support the 
resolution. I have no further requests for time, and I also yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 63.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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