[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2090-E2091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RESOLUTION HONORING RUTH BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce this resolution 
today honoring the life of Ruth Brown. I join my colleagues Chairman 
Jim Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Charles Rangel in recognizing the 
accomplishments of rhythm and blues singer Ruth Brown and her efforts 
to reform copyright royalty payments for recording artists.
  On a sad day for the music community and myself, Ruth Brown passed 
away on November 17, 2006. She was a rhythm and blues singer known as 
Miss Rhythm and her talent rocketed her to become one of Atlantic 
Records' first recording stars. Her voice made her a hit from the 1940s 
and onward with such songs as ``So Long,'' ``Teardrops from My Eyes,'' 
and ``He Treats your Daughter Mean.'' Richard Harrington of the 
Washington Post said ``there was a world of hurt in those songs and an 
insistence on some justice, a boldness of voice that Miss Rhythm 
reached for as Miss Righteous.''
  Ruth Brown's peers recognized her talent, as well. She won a 1989 
Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in Black and Blue; a 1989 
Grammy Award for her album ``Blues on Broadway;'' and 1993 induction 
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a 1999 Lifetime Achievement 
Award from The Blues Foundation. Her autobiography, Miss Rhythm, 
received the Ralph Gleason Award for Music.
  Aside from her own singing career, Ruth Brown became a tireless 
advocate for the rights of other rhythm and blues singers. She worked 
with Congress to advance the cause of copyright royalty reform so that 
rhythm and blues artists could receive the royalties they deserved from 
their music. She also helped found the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 
1988 to recognize, promote, and preserve

[[Page E2091]]

rhythm and blues music. The important work of the Foundation continues 
to this day.
  The resolution we introduce today acknowledges these important 
contributions to American culture, recognizes Ruth Brown for her 
efforts to reform the royalty system, and expresses the House's deepest 
condolences to Ruth Brown's family and friends.

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