[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H8806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO LINDA HOPKINS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I want to come and join with hundreds of
people who yesterday had the exciting experience of being in Hollywood
on the Walk of Fame for a famous jazz and blues singer, Linda Hopkins,
who received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Linda Hopkins was honored with the 2,292nd star on the world-famous
Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday, October 6, at 11:30 a.m. in front of
the Pantages Theatre. Johnny Grant, Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and
Chairman of the Walk of Fame Committee, presided over the event.
Hopkins made her singing debut at the age of 3 in her hometown church
in New Orleans and grew up to become an internationally acclaimed
vocalist and actress. Hopkins was inspired by blues legend Bessie Smith
and began to sing her songs and conceived, wrote, and starred in the
one-woman musical, ``Me and Bessie.'' The musical was the longest
running show in the history of Broadway and the only one written by an
African American woman. It also won the coveted Drama Desk Award.
In 1972, she won the Tony Award for best supporting actress for her
performance in ``Inner City.'' Hopkins toured with such artists as
Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bradford Marsalis. From 1985 through 1997, Hopkins
co-starred in the play ``Black and Blue'' on Broadway and in Paris.
{time} 1630
She also holds the record for the most guest performances on Johnny
Carson's ``Tonight Show'' with more than 148 appearances. She recently
returned from working on ``Wild Women Blues'' which she created and
toured throughout Europe. She will return to the show in December.
Hopkins continues her work in the community by helping the homeless,
presenting and assisting new and young artists in the performing arts
community, and doing outreach to local communities to promote economic
development.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say congratulations to Linda once again, and
we are so very pleased to be the ones to nominate Linda. It took us a
few years, but she got that star on the Walk of Fame.
Linda Hopkins to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Today
Singer Linda Hopkins will be honored with the 2,292nd star
on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 6, 11:30
a.m., in front of Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Johnny Grant, Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and Chairman of the
Walk of Fame Committee, will preside over the event.
Hopkins made her singing debut at the age of three in her
hometown church in New Orleans and grew up to become an
internationally acclaimed vocalist and actress. Hopkins was
inspired by blues legend Bessie Smith and began to sing her
songs and conceived, wrote and starred in the one-woman
musical, ``Me and Bessie.'' The musical was the longest
running show in the history of Broadway and the only one
written by an African American woman. It also won the coveted
Drama Desk Award.
In 1972, she won the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress
for her performance in ``Inner City.'' Hopkins toured with
such artists as Sammy Davis Jr. and Branford Marsalis. From
1985 through 1997, Hopkins co-starred in the play ``Black and
Blue'' on Broadway and in Paris. She also holds the record
for most guest performances on Johnny Carson's ``Tonight
Show,'' with more than 148 appearances. She recently returned
from working on ``Wild Women Blues,'' which she created and
toured with throughout Europe. She will return to the show in
December.
Hopkins continues her work in the community by helping the
homeless, presenting and assisting new and young artists in
the performing arts community and doing outreach to local
communities to promote economic development.
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