[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H288-H290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO SHIRLEY HORN

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 300) paying tribute to Shirley Horn 
in recognition of her many achievements and contributions to the world 
of jazz and American culture, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 300

       Whereas on October 20, 2005, the United States lost jazz 
     legend Shirley Horn, who contributed greatly to the musical 
     landscape of the Nation through her artistry and musical 
     talent;
       Whereas Shirley Horn was born in 1934 in Washington, DC, 
     and started her musical career at the age of four on her 
     grandmother's piano;
       Whereas at the tender age of 12, Shirley Horn studied 
     composition and piano at Howard University and was invited to 
     attend the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City when 
     she was 18;
       Whereas jazz gives a powerful voice to the American 
     experience and is born of a diverse society, uniting people 
     across the divides of race, region, and national boundaries, 
     and draws from life experience and human emotion;
       Whereas over her long and distinguished career, Shirley 
     Horn performed and worked with jazz legends, including Miles 
     Davis and Quincy Jones;
       Whereas Shirley Horn recorded over two dozen albums and was 
     lauded with numerous honors, including the Grammy Award for 
     best jazz vocal performance in 1998, election into the Lionel 
     Hampton Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996, an honorary doctorate from 
     the Berklee College of Music in 1998, the 2003 Jazz at 
     Lincoln Center Award, inclusion in ASCAP's Wall of Fame as 
     the 2005 living legend, and the 2005 NEA Jazz Master, the 
     Nation's highest honor in jazz;
       Whereas Shirley Horn never forgot her roots and continued 
     to support and perform in her local community of Washington, 
     DC, receiving the Mayor's Arts Award for Excellence in an 
     Artistic Discipline; and
       Whereas Shirley Horn's voice and piano had a profound 
     effect on her listeners around the world: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) notes with deep sorrow the death of Shirley Horn and 
     extends heartfelt sympathy to her husband and family; and
       (2) recognizes Shirley Horn's many achievements and 
     contributions to the world of jazz and American culture and 
     notes the loss to American culture with her passing.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 300, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 300, which pays 
tribute to Ms. Shirley Horn, one of the leading jazz musicians of her 
generation. Ms. Horn passed away this past October, leaving behind a 
legacy of unsurpassing musical achievement and a family thankful for 
her dedication as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. I thank the 
resolution's author, Mr. Conyers, for drawing our attention to Ms. 
Horn's accomplishments and her status as one of America's artistic 
treasures.
  Ms. Horn's talent was evident in early life. She began playing the 
piano at age 4 and started formal musical training at age 5. At the age 
of 12, she studied composition at Howard University in Washington, DC 
and received a scholarship to the Julliard School in New York at the 
age of 18. Unable to afford the high costs of living in New York, Ms. 
Horn instead remained in Washington, again studying music at Howard 
University.
  Ms. Horn released her first album in 1961. The record, entitled 
``Embers and Ashes,'' established her as a gifted jazz musician and 
attracted the attention of such musical luminaries as Miles Davis and 
Quincy Jones. Following the release of ``Embers and Ashes,'' Ms. Horn 
recorded two more albums and spent several years touring major jazz 
clubs throughout the United States.
  However, Ms. Horn struggled with the travel demands of an active tour 
schedule and chose to spend the bulk of her time at home with her 
husband and daughter, occasionally playing at local jazz clubs in the 
Washington and Baltimore areas. Then, in 1980, while attending a 
musicians' convention in Washington, she was rediscovered while playing 
at a hotel piano with a group of old friends.
  This rediscovery led to several years of touring and recording, with 
audiences and critics alike responding enthusiastically to her 
resurgence. Ms. Horn received nine Grammy nominations during this 
period, culminating in her 1998 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal 
Performance for ``I Remember Miles,'' her tribute to Miles Davis.

                              {time}  1100

  Ms. Horn's awards also include a 2003 Jazz at Lincoln Center award 
for Artistic Excellence, and being named the

[[Page H289]]

2005 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, this country's 
highest honor for jazz, composers and musicians. In 2004, Ms. Horn was 
honored during a star-studded tribute and concert at Washington's 
Kennedy Center.
  Musically, Ms. Horn will be remembered for the interaction between 
her voice and the piano and her slow, intimate ballads that have 
influenced the new generation of jazz artists. She will also be 
remembered for her dedication to family and the sacrifices she has made 
to be a good wife, mother and grandmother.
  Mr. Speaker, as a musician myself, certainly nowhere near the 
accomplished musician as Ms. Horn was, I would like to also state from 
the personal side that I truly believe that the avenue to world peace 
is through music. I think she played a major role in bringing different 
cultures, different groups together for generations. I applaud her for 
that.
  I would like to thank Mr. Conyers for bringing this national treasure 
to our attention today and providing this opportunity to pay tribute to 
Ms. Horn's accomplishments. I ask my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as 
I might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my musician colleague from 
Nevada in support and in consideration of this resolution. I want to 
thank my colleagues from Michigan and Washington for their leadership 
in bringing this resolution that pays tribute to the renowned Shirley 
Horn to the floor today. Mr. Conyers and Ms. Norton introduced this 
resolution to honor Ms. Horn after she passed away on October 20, 2005.
  Mr. Speaker, there are jazz singers who go for the bangs and booms of 
rhythm and speed. And then there is Shirley Horn, who took it slow. She 
moseyed along the piano keys, gently stepping and loving the ivories 
with her fingers. Her raspy voice and her way with the grand piano made 
her legendary.
  Shirley Horn was born on May 1, 1934, in Washington, DC. She tinkled 
the keys of the piano ever since she was 4 years old with encouragement 
from her mother, who dreamed of her daughter being a black classical 
pianist.
  Discovered by Miles Davis when she was just a teenager singing in a 
bar in Washington, DC, she was admired by jazz greats. She won a Grammy 
award in 1999, her first win after nine nominations. She also was 
inducted into the Lionel Hampton Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996.
  Ms. Horn did not reach stardom until she was well into her fifties. 
She put off her performing in clubs in D.C. in order to raise her 
daughter. She made certain that she balanced performing and raising her 
family.
  Later in life, she continued to share her music, even though she had 
many health barriers to overcome. Nevertheless, she persevered.
  For example, even after having her foot amputated due to 
complications with diabetes, she still played her music even though it 
was difficult for her to use the pedals on the piano. Ms. Horn once 
said, and I quote, ``I have to do it. I think when I was born, it's 
like God said, `Music!' and that was it. All my life, that's all I 
knew. It's in me, it's jammed up, and it's got to come out.'' She let 
her great raspy voice fill our ears, and she let us sit and listen to 
her slow leisurely stroll along the 88 keys of the grand piano.
  Generations to come will listen to her music, appreciate the ability 
of her voice to communicate deep intimacy, set to just the right tempo, 
and honor her great accomplishments as a jazz legend and as a black 
woman.
  Mr. Speaker, music is an international language. Those who are gifted 
to convey it can communicate with individuals from every spectre of 
life, individuals from many different countries, individuals who speak 
different languages and understand different dialects. That is the 
value of the musician, and that has been the value of Shirley Horn.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, which 
honors the life of my friend, Shirley Horn. Shirley, who passed away on 
October 20, 2005, was one of this country's last great jazz vocalists, 
one in the triumvirate of ElIa Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae. Her 
luminous voice gave rise to whispery vocals that made songs lucky to be 
sung by her. Many fans noted that her songs simply melted in the air. 
She was a giant in the world of music and will forever remain an icon 
of American culture. I had the privilege of sharing my memories of her 
at her memorial service last year, surrounded by her family and 
countless friends.
  Shirley was born here in Washington in 1934 and started her career in 
music at the age of ten on her grandmother's piano, unaware of the 
impact she would have on the world. She studied music at Howard 
University and was invited to attend the prestigious Juilliard School 
in New York. While financial difficulties at home kept her from 
Juilliard, they did not impede her spirit and drive.
  While she started as a piano virtuoso, she was seventeen when she was 
coaxed into singing at a Washington, DC club called One Step Down. A 
customer promised her a turquoise teddy bear if she would sing ``My 
Melancholy Baby.'' Shirley said she was so shy, but she wanted that 
teddy bear enough to sing the song.
  It was none other than Miles Davis and Quincy Jones who plucked her 
from that local club to international fame, and the story is worth 
repeating. Miles called her out of the blue after the release of her 
very first album, ``Embers and Ashes,'' and asked her to open for him 
at the Village Vanguard in New York. Not surprisingly for a young 
artist, she thought it was a joke and did not believe it until she went 
to New York and actually heard Miles's children singing from the album. 
Miles and his trumpet later joined a concert of hers but would not come 
out from behind a pillar while playing ``My Funny Valentine.''
  With encouragement from Miles and Quincy, two other jazz icons, 
Shirley went on to record over two dozen albums and was lauded with 
numerous awards. After seven consecutive Grammy nominations, she won in 
1998 for best jazz vocal performance. It was fitting that the winning 
album was ``I Remember Miles,'' a tribute to her mentor and friend, 
Miles Davis. I cannot think of a more fitting honor for Shirley and 
Miles.
  But her contributions to music go far beyond one album. On recordings 
for Verve Records, she collaborated with Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, 
Gary Bartz, and Toots Thielman. She even recorded the soundtrack for 
the movie ``For Love of Ivy.'' The person who asked her to do the 
soundtrack was the star of the film, Sidney Poitier. She also recorded 
a tribute album to Ray Charles called ``Here's to Life, Light out of 
Darkness.''
  She also was elected into the Lionel Hampton Jazz Hall of Fame, 
received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, and won 
the 2003 Jazz at Lincoln Center Award.
  Importantly, she never forgot her family or her background. She lived 
mainly in Washington during the early part of her career so that she 
could take care of her daughter. Recording equipment and jazz legends 
like Elvin Jones came to her house to record albums.
  She even remembered how one person could make a difference in the 
lives of others. Just as Miles recognized her talent and took her under 
his wing, Shirley reached out to a young drummer named Aaron Weiman and 
took him under her wing. And none other than pianists-singers Diana 
Krall and Norah Jones count her as mentors.
  I again express my deepest sympathies to her family and urge my 
colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

                                              Takoma Park, MD,

                                                February 14, 2006.
     Representative John Conyers, Jr.,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Conyers: I am writing in support of House 
     Concurrent Resolution 300, saluting the life and music of 
     Shirley Horn.
       Shirley Horn was an American original. She was an 
     outstanding jazz singer and musician. She lived that uniquely 
     American music, jazz, respected its traditions: and passed 
     them on for all to share. In small clubs, and in large 
     auditoriums, Shirley Horn performed throughout the United 
     States and around the world. This resolution honors Shirley 
     for all time. It is richly deserved. I applaud its 
     introduction and urge the House to vote to pass it.
       Shirley Horn worshiped words and the stories they told--and 
     her renditions of standards and other songs were lyrical 
     magic.
       When we first met, she sat right next to me at the piano 
     for a whole night at Washington's famous and now defunct jazz 
     club, the One Step Down. At first, I was intimidated by a 
     giant of America's music sitting no more than three feet 
     away. This was someone who worked with Miles Davis and so 
     many other greats! But, she was warm and infinitely gracious 
     to a young, developing pianist. A wonderful friendship grew 
     over the last 7 years of her life and Shirley Horn became my 
     `third' grandma.
       Through the terrible illness that eventually took her life, 
     she always thought about leaving her hospital bed and playing 
     music. She yearned to sing, play piano, and perform alongside 
     her long-time band members, Steve Williams on drums and Ed 
     Howard on bass.

[[Page H290]]

       Her love of lyric and melody inspired me, musicians and 
     singers, and audiences around the world. Shirley was 
     wonderful at making all the songs she sung and played 
     beautiful, rich, and full of emotion and stories.
       She made famous a song entitled'' Here's to Life'' written 
     by Phyllis Molinary and Artie Butler. This was the closing 
     song at many of her concerts. She ended with the last lyric, 
     which was ``Here's to life / Here's to Love / Here's to 
     You.''
       Here's to you, Shirley,
       I urge all house members to support House Concurrent 
     Resolution 300.
     Aaron Weiman.
                                  ____



                                            Silver Spring, MD,

                                                February 14, 2006.
     Hon. John Conyers,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Conyers: I was thrilled to learn that 
     you introduced and the House of Representatives will soon 
     consider are solution to honor the life of Shirley Horn.
       As her drummer for approximately 30 years, and her, as she 
     would say, soul mate, I can honestly say Shirley Horn is 
     already and has been among the great ambassadors--to America 
     and to the World--of this truly authentic American art form, 
     jazz.
       I also have to include, that through her music, piano and 
     voice, Shirley Horn taught us, the very important things in 
     life--heart felt honesty, companionship, love and the art of 
     swing, the later I personally believe native of this country.
       Shirley Horn, being a complete musician, was able to 
     interpret to me, on my instrument, the drums, precisely what 
     she wanted. It was then I realized her knowledge of the 
     importance of each instrument. That included her ability to 
     show me the way to express what had to be said purely and 
     simply.
       We traveled the world and each performance was an 
     adventure. Of notable performances, I must recall the evening 
     hosted by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hilary 
     Clinton. Even with the audiences who didn't speak our 
     language, Shirley Horn was able to communicate her message of 
     song, melody and love, truly qualities of an ambassador.
       During my time with Shirley Horn, I was able to record and 
     perform with many of the greats of this music; Miles Davis, 
     Milt Jackson, Gary Bartz, Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, 
     Toots Thielemans, Joe Henderson. And a particularly educating 
     experience, we recorded at her home with two colossal men of 
     my instrument: Elvin Jones and Billy Hart. There was no end 
     to what she was able to give.
       Now we have the rest of our lives to ingest and pass on her 
     legacy.
       Our Nation was enriched by Shirley Horn and her wonderful 
     legacy.
       My sincere thanks and appreciation for asking the House of 
     Representatives and the U.S. Senate to honor this great Lady.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Steve Williams.

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I again appreciate having the opportunity to 
speak on this resolution today, and my strong feelings that we should 
recognize her for her many accomplishments. I would ask that my 
colleagues support this resolution as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kolbe). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
300, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________