[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO RAY CHARLES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special homage to a 
legendary entertainer and an American icon, Mr. Ray Charles, who passed 
away on June 10, 2004 at the age of 73.
  Ray Charles Robinson (who later dropped his last name to prevent 
confusion with boxer ``Sugar'' Ray Robinson) was born September 23, 
1930 in Albany, Georgia. Charles was born at the beginning of The Great 
Depression into a rural southern community, which denied opportunity 
and tried to kill the dreams of African Americans.
  Ray Charles was blinded by glaucoma at age 7. After being sent to the 
St. Augustine school for the Deaf and Blind, he learned to read and 
write musical compositions in Braille, and mastered playing several 
instruments including the piano and the saxophone. By the age of 15, 
Charles was orphaned, and had begun to perform in Black nightclubs. 
Charles would later draw from the adversity of his early life a special 
soulfulness, which fueled new music that America had never known: the 
sultry combination of human problems and transgressions with the hope 
and inspiration of the spirit. He drew from diverse musical roots and 
made the music his own.
  By 1959, Charles would have his first big hit, ``What'd I Say''. He 
would in an illustrious career win 12 Grammy Awards and a plethora of 
other musical achievements. Later, he would be called one of the 
forefathers of Rock n' Roll.
  The music of Ray Charles was as diverse as his audience. He was able 
to cross musical genres including jazz, blues, gospel, soul, country, 
pop and rock and roll. Charles was a musical pioneer and throughout his 
career gained a large fan base in various racial and ethnic groups. He 
broke down the rigid walls between black and white music. Charles was 
an inspiration for the likes of Elvis Presley and The Beatles, who 
sought to incorporate his soulfulness in their music.
  Charles would also use his cross-cultural ability to help achieve 
racial equality. Charles was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
and was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, performing 
benefit concerts and giving up his personal resources. During the 
height of South African apartheid, Charles refused to play for 
segregated audiences in firm opposition to the legal segregation that 
was in place in that country.
  Charles had a string of stirring hits including ``Georgia on my 
Mind'', ``I Can't Stop Loving You'', and ``America the Beautiful'', 
which he first performed in 1972 and then later at many occasions of 
national celebration including the inaugural ball for the late former 
president, Ronald Regan in 1985. In 1986 he received Kennedy Center 
Honors for his amazing ability to break down social barriers through 
his music.
  Music lovers worldwide will consequently suffer a great void that no 
other musician will ever be able to fill. Ray Charles was able to 
inspire millions through his music. Ray Charles has left us the 
enduring legacy of his genius, his music, and though gone from us 
physically the music of Ray Charles will live on forever.

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