[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4654-H4657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF RAY CHARLES

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 449) honoring the life and 
accomplishments of Ray Charles, recognizing his contributions to the 
Nation, and extending condolences to his family on his death.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 449

       Whereas Ray Charles was born Ray Charles Robinson in 
     Albany, Georgia, on September 23, 1930, the first child of 
     Aretha and Baily Robinson;
       Whereas Ray Charles and the Robinson family battled 
     grinding poverty, the Depression, segregation, and young 
     Ray's loss of his sight to glaucoma when he was only 6 years 
     old, but they never gave up hoping and working for a better 
     life;
       Whereas while attending the St. Augustine School for the 
     Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Florida, Ray Charles learned 
     to read Braille and type, and he developed his musical gifts 
     by learning to compose and arrange music by ear;
       Whereas Ray Charles began his career as a professional 
     musician without financial resources, in an era of 
     segregation, and he struggled in poverty for years before 
     attaining success;
       Whereas out of his struggle and sacrifice Ray Charles gave 
     the world the classic songs, ``I Got A Woman'', ``Born to 
     Lose'', ``Hit the Road, Jack'', ``I Can't Stop Loving You'', 
     ``Crying Time'', ``Living for the City'', ``Busted'', ``Hard 
     Times'', ``Ruby'', ``The Right Time'', ``Let the Good Times 
     Roll'', ``What'd I Say?'', and ``Hallelujah, I Love Her So'';
       Whereas Ray Charles demonstrated a unique ability to 
     perform music in nearly every musical style, whether blues, 
     jazz, gospel, country-western, or rock and roll;
       Whereas Ray Charles transformed ``Georgia on My Mind'', an 
     old Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael tune from 1930, into 
     a song which is instantly recognized throughout the world and 
     the official song of his native State of Georgia;
       Whereas with his unique style of arrangement, Ray Charles 
     gave new life for a new century to one of America's best-
     known patriotic songs, ``America the Beautiful'';
       Whereas during his most productive musical years, Ray 
     Charles provided unfailing personal and financial support to 
     Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the struggle to end the 
     practice of racial segregation which had divided the Nation;
       Whereas Ray Charles extended his commitment to social 
     reform beyond the United

[[Page H4655]]

     States, publicly opposing apartheid in South Africa and anti-
     Semitism worldwide;
       Whereas Ray Charles was one of the most influential and 
     recognized voices of American music throughout the world, 
     whose influence spanned generations and musical genres; and
       Whereas with the death of Ray Charles on June 10, 2004, in 
     Beverly Hills, California, the Nation has lost one of its 
     most prolific and influential musicians: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors the life and accomplishments of Ray Charles 
     Robinson;
       (2) recognizes Ray Charles for his invaluable contributions 
     to the Nation, the State of Georgia, and the American musical 
     heritage; and
       (3) extends condolences to the family of Ray Charles on the 
     death of a remarkable man.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Burns) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BURNS. 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. 449.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 449.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the musical genius of one of 
Georgia's and America's greatest entertainers. It also recognizes the 
heroic struggle that Ray Charles Robinson began at the age of 7 to 
overcome the obstacle of blindness and to go on to become an 
international music superstar. But perhaps more importantly it also 
places in the Congressional Record for posterity his contribution to 
Dr. Martin Luther King's drive to end segregation, his worldwide 
campaign against apartheid and against anti-Semitism.
  It is particularly significant to me that Ray Charles' greatest 
recorded public stand against segregation took place in the heart of 
the 12th District of Georgia. In Augusta, Georgia, Ray Charles' concert 
had separated black and white fans and suggested that they had to be 
seated in different areas of the concert hall. Ray refused. He refused 
to play unless folks were allowed to sit where they wanted. He was 
sued. He broke his contract and lost a lot of money. But he stood firm. 
He stood firm for his beliefs, and he stood firm in Georgia. Today we 
can all sit together in that same theater because of the courage and 
conviction of Americans like Ray Charles and Martin Luther King and my 
friend and colleague from Georgia, John Lewis.
  For many Americans like me, it is amazing to hear Ray Charles sing 
``Georgia on My Mind'' and ``America the Beautiful.'' He sings it with 
conviction, affection and style, that no one else ever has and no one 
else ever will. In spite of the offense of segregation and bigotry, he 
kept his love of State and of Nation while working to make both of them 
a better place. Ray Charles had already arrived where the rest of us 
needed to be.
  With this resolution, we recognize not only a great musician and a 
great entertainer but a great Georgian and a great American.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 449 to honor the 
lifetime achievements of Ray Charles. I join my colleagues in mourning 
his recent passing, and I thank my lucky stars that I have seen him in 
concert many times. Ray Charles overcame childhood poverty, the loss of 
his eyesight at age 6, and the loss of both of his parents by the age 
of 15 to become a 12-time Grammy award-winning performer.
  Ray Charles was a gifted pianist and saxophonist, but his greatest 
gift was his songs. He sang the blues, country, rock, big band swing, 
jazz, even classical. Many credit Ray Charles with the beginning of 
soul music when he combined gospel and rhythm and blues in his first 
recording, ``I Got a Woman.''
  Ray Charles' version of ``Georgia on My Mind'' became the official 
song of his native State of Georgia and his performance of ``America 
the Beautiful'' gave new life and a new audience to a patriotic 
standard that we did not know before. But whatever Ray Charles sang in 
whatever style, he started from his very roots, the black American 
music that became the soul of his music.
  It is fitting that Members from both sides of the aisle join together 
to honor Ray Charles, because he was not political. His music was his 
politics, and it embraced all listeners equally. Ray Charles' music 
broke down all barriers, and united his audience in appreciation. Ray 
Charles will be deeply missed. We are fortunate that his music will 
live on forever and forever.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to yield such time 
as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott), someone 
who worked diligently to recognize Ray Charles in the State House of 
Georgia.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, what a great day this is for this 
House of Representatives to set this moment in time aside to honor one 
of the world's most distinguished citizens. Born into searing, piercing 
poverty in 1930 at the start of the Great Depression; born when he 
could fully see, but by the time he was 7 years old he was completely 
blind; lost his brother at age 5, his mother at age 15, his father 
absent, Ray Charles, alone in the world.
  But he had a genius. He had a gift deep inside of him. And his mother 
had the good fortune of placing him in the Florida School for the 
Blind, and there Ray Charles found his way to a piano. And then he 
learned how to play the guitar, the saxophone, the drums. What a 
musical genius. The hits came: ``Hit the Road, Jack,'' ``That Lucky Old 
Sun,'' ``I Can't Stop Loving You.'' All of these great songs were 
manifested by the arena and the environment in which Ray Charles grew 
up. He got the gospel from the church. He got the blues from the honky 
tonks and the juke joints. He got his classical training where he could 
play Chopin, Strauss, and Beethoven. No musical genre did Ray Charles 
not capture. The beauty of it all was that Ray Charles transcended 
racial lines, economic lines, so that no matter where your standing in 
life, when you heard Ray Charles' voice, you felt it deep in the marrow 
of your bones.
  Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased and so delighted to be here to join with 
my other colleagues in giving this genuine hero, who survived and 
achieved in spite of the odds, his due recognition. So many songs he 
sang, ``That Lucky Old Sun'' and, of course, ``America the Beautiful'' 
which touched everyone; but there was no song that captured Ray Charles 
as much as ``Georgia on My Mind.''
  I first met Ray Charles as a member of the House of Representatives. 
We invited him on the floor and he had that piano there because in 1979 
when I was in the Georgia House, we passed a resolution not just 
honoring Ray Charles but making ``Georgia on My Mind'' our State song. 
I can see Ray Charles there now at that piano stool, swaying to and fro 
and saying:

     Georgia, Georgia, a song of you
     Comes as sweet and clean as moonlight through the pines.
     Other arms reach out to me
     Other eyes smile tenderly
     Still in peaceful dreams I see
     The road leads back to you.
     Georgia, Georgia, no peace I find
     Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind.

  Just an old sweet song will forever keep Ray Charles on our minds and 
in our hearts, for he has left us a rich legacy of music, of culture, 
of art that will live on forever. It was Frank Sinatra, Old Blue Eyes 
himself, Chairman of the Board, who said it best about Ray Charles: 
``Ray Charles is the only genius in our business.'' No more apt words 
coming from Frank Sinatra himself.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray Charles was not just an American treasure. Ray 
Charles is and will forever be a world's treasure. We thank God 
Almighty for blessing us mightily by sending Ray Charles our way. God 
bless Ray Charles, and we thank Ray Charles.

                              {time}  1045

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

[[Page H4656]]

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 449, a bill to celebrate the life of Ray Charles.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California, my 
friend, for yielding me this time, the place where Ray Charles spent 
many wonderful and great years. I also want to thank the gentleman from 
the State of Georgia, my friend, for bringing this resolution forth.
  This native of Georgia, son of America, citizen of the world, was 
born to sing. He was born to make music. Whether Gospel, blues, 
country, or rock, he had the rare ability to reach the depth of our 
souls.
  After losing his sight at a very young age, Ray Charles perfected his 
voice, a voice that transcended race, color, and class. Through songs 
like ``Georgia on My Mind,'' ``America the Beautiful,'' ``Hit the Road 
Jack,'' ``What I'd Say,'' ``Spirit in the Dark,'' and ``I Can't Stop 
Loving You,'' he spoke to the hearts and souls of millions and became a 
pivotal figure in modern American and world music.
  But, Mr. Speaker, Ray Charles's commitment did not just end with 
music. He was also committed to equality for all, by providing personal 
and financial support in the fight for civil rights. Ray Charles 
dedicated his life to uniting a divided America and bringing the world 
community a little closer. He was very supportive of education. He gave 
millions of dollars to Morehouse College in Atlanta.
  For more than 60 years, Ray Charles blessed us with his music, and, 
Mr. Speaker, I believe we will never see his likeness again.
  I thank Ray Charles. I thank him for his service. I thank him for 
giving his heart, his soul, his very being for the benefit of all human 
kind. Our world, our Nation, is a little bit better because Ray Charles 
passed this way with his music, with his heart, with his soul.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Georgia and the gentlewoman from California for bringing forth this 
very supportive resolution. And I speak this morning to pay tribute to 
one of the greatest singers, songwriters, and composers of the 20th and 
the 21st Century, Ray Charles. I must tell the Georgians that 
California also claims Ray Charles as a native son.
  Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930, in 
Albany, Georgia, started his interest in music at the young age of 3 
and eventually learned to read and write music in Braille, as well as 
play a number of instruments including the trumpet, organ, alto sax and 
the piano.
  He scored his first big hit in 1959 with the song ``What I'd Say'' 
and went on to win 12 Grammy Awards, with nine awards between 1960 and 
1966.
  Of course, Ray Charles would record many hit records during the 
course of his career, including ``Hit the Road Jack''; ``I Can't Stop 
Loving You,'' ``Busted''; ``Born to Lose''; ``Take These Chains from My 
Heart; and the State song of Georgia, ``Georgia on My Mind.''
  His version of ``America the Beautiful,'' like most of his songs, 
will be considered America's classic for generations to come. He won 
his last Grammy in 1993 for ``A Song for You.''
  Ray Charles was a unique musician, Mr. Speaker, because of his 
ability to cross musical genres to create a fresh and exciting new 
sound. Not only did his music and words reach all types of audiences, 
he also commanded a strong stage presence with his personality and 
infectious smile warming our hearts.
  He was so popular, in fact, that he became a television spokesman for 
a soft drink company telling viewers they picked the right choice and 
they picked the right one with the familiar ``uh huh'' refrain.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray Charles was inducted into the Blues Foundation's 
Hall of Fame in 1982 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll's Hall of 
Fame in its inaugural year 1986. And I was honored last year to be at 
the NAACP Gala in Los Angeles when they gave him the highest award, the 
America's Outstanding Citizen and Entertainer of the Decade Award.
  I would like to extend my condolences to the family, friends and fans 
of Ray Charles. Oh, how beautiful America was with the genius of Ray 
Charles.
  Ray Charles, ``I Can't Stop Loving You.''
  I support this resolution.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Ray Charles was a musical genius, a great American, someone who stood 
for the rights of others. His life and his work will live forever 
through his music and through his legacy.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 449 honoring the life 
and service of Ray Charles Robinson.
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 449 and 
commend my friend and colleague, Mr. Burns of Georgia, for bringing 
this resolution, honoring the life and many accomplishments of the late 
Ray Charles, to the House floor for consideration today.
  Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia on September 23, 1930. When 
he was only seven, he lost his eyesight to glaucoma. As a teenager, his 
family sent Ray to the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind, 
where he learned to read and write music in Braille.
  At the age of 15, Ray graduated from St. Augustine and went out on 
the road as a traveling musician. Throughout the 1950s, his young 
career began taking off, as evidenced by the fact that during this 
period of his career, he played at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz 
Festival.
  From 1960 to 1966, he won 9 of his 12 Grammy awards, as he forged a 
unique style, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, country and 
western, swing, and gospel. In addition he was a very talented pianist, 
who could also play the saxophone and had a voice that was distinctive 
in both tone and range.
  A few of his major hits include ``What'd I Say,'' ``Hit the Road, 
Jack,'' ``I Can't Stop Loving You,'' and ``Georgia on My Mind,'' which 
became the state's official song as he made it one of his signature 
performances.
  Amazingly enough, his popularity continued well into the 1990s, 
almost 40 years after he started. In 1993, he won his last Grammy for 
``A Song For You.''
  Sadly, Ray Charles died earlier this month, at the age of 73 on June 
10, 2004 after a lengthy illness.
  Ray Charles once stated ``I just want to make my mark, leave 
something musically good behind.'' It is certain that he left more than 
something ``musically good behind''--he left behind a legacy as one of 
the finest and greatest American musicians of the late 20th century. He 
will be sorely missed.
  I urge all of my colleagues in the House to join me in approving this 
measure.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
449, which honors the life and accomplishments of Ray Charles, 
recognizes his contributions to the Nation, and extends condolences to 
his family on his death earlier this month on June 10, 2004.
  Born in 1930, in Albany, Georgia, Ray Charles (nee Ray Charles 
Robinson) entered this world handicapped by racial segregation, 
poverty, and later blindness at age 6. Yet, these crippling 
circumstances conversely empowered the young Charles as he rose to be 
one of the most prominent icons in popular culture. Spanning over three 
decades of success, Ray Charles inspired all Americans, especially 
those in the African American community, to persist and aspire despite 
adversity.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray Charles revolutionized music through his unique 
ability to interweave the cultural rhythms of soul music, the harmonies 
of jazz, and the sentiment of country-western. This exceptional fusion 
offered the mainstream audience an opportunity to partake in a truly 
moving musical experience that defied the boundaries of genre specific 
music. His talent and foresight were justly rewarded with three number 
one hits, twelve Grammys, a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of 
Fame, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jazz Hall of Fame, 
as well as the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. However, the accolades 
are merely a superficial indicator of the far-reaching implications of 
Ray Charles' life.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray Charles was an advocate of civil rights for all, not 
only through his music but also through his political actions. Mr. 
Charles joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight for civil 
equality and saw himself ``carrying the cross'' for all African 
Americans. In 1962 he became the Honorary Chairman for the National 
Association for Sickle Cell Disease, and in 1975 was this 
organization's first, ``Man of Distinction''. Additionally, around this 
time, Ray Charles began to expand his sphere of influence as he 
supported anti-apartheid movements in South Africa, and participated in 
meetings with leaders like, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to discuss 
the status of Jews in Israel.

[[Page H4657]]

  These activities show that Ray Charles enriched our lives in ways 
beyond his memorable songs like ``Georgia On My Mind''--one of my 
favorites, and many recognized his efforts. In fact, in 1983 the NAACP 
honored him with an induction into their Hall of Fame noting his 
outstanding contributions to the African American community. He also 
participated in the historic, ``We are the World'' recording, which 
supported funding for the starving children in Africa. In 1986, Mr. 
Charles was doubly honored, first when he was made the Commander of 
Fine Arts and Letters by the French Government and second in Washington 
DC, when he was recognized in the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors 
ceremony.
  Mr. Speaker, in April 1987, Ray Charles expounded upon his advocacy 
work, with a personal endowment of one million dollars to the Robinson 
Foundation for Hearing Disorders--a move that solidified his genuine 
philanthropic interests. In the following years these genuine interests 
were rewarded with honors such as: The National Medal of Arts from 
former President Clinton, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black 
Achievement Awards committee, as well as the Helen Keller Achievement 
Award from the American Foundation for the Blind.
  It is with bittersweet emotions that I stand in front of you today. 
Bitter as I mourn the loss of an American treasure, and send 
condolences to his family--sweet as I remember the legacy of a man who 
changed the lives of Americans forever.
  I want to thank my esteemed colleague from the state of Georgia, 
Representative Max Burns, for his leadership in sponsoring this 
important piece of legislation.
  Once again, I urge all of my colleagues to support passage of H. Con. 
Res. 449.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hefley). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
449.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________