[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 133 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H8818-H8819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF RUTH BROWN

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 1090) honoring the life of Ruth Brown and 
her copyright royalty reform efforts on behalf of rhythm and blues 
recording artists.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 1090

       Whereas Ruth Brown passed away on November 17, 2006;

[[Page H8819]]

       Whereas Ruth Brown, a rhythm and blues singer and 
     songwriter known as Miss Rhythm, was one of Atlantic 
     Records's first recording and performing stars;
       Whereas Ruth Brown's elegant voice made her a hit from the 
     1940s onward with such songs as ``So Long'' and ``Teardrops 
     from My Eyes'';
       Whereas Ruth Brown's career spanned the post-World War II 
     era through the Civil Rights Movement to the 21st century, a 
     period which also saw the genre music move into the American 
     mainstream;
       Whereas Ruth Brown helped found the Rhythm and Blues 
     Foundation in 1988 to recognize, promote, and preserve rhythm 
     and blues music;
       Whereas Ruth Brown worked with Congress to advance the 
     cause of copyright royalty reform so that rhythm and blues 
     artists could receive deserved copyright royalties from their 
     music;
       Whereas Ruth Brown's talent was recognized with a Tony 
     Award for Best Actress in a Musical in ``Black and Blue'' in 
     1989, a Grammy Award for her album ``Blues on Broadway'' in 
     1989, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, 
     and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Blues Foundation in 
     1999;
       Whereas Ruth Brown's autobiography, ``Miss Rhythm,'' 
     received the Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Award; and
       Whereas Ruth Brown is survived by 2 sons, 4 siblings, 3 
     grandchildren, and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, 
     friends, and admirers: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors the life of Ruth Brown;
       (2) recognizes Ruth Brown for her efforts toward reforming 
     the copyright royalty system on behalf of rhythm and blues 
     recording artists;
       (3) commends Ruth Brown for her success in ensuring that 
     rhythm and blues recording artists would receive deserved 
     copyright royalties; and
       (4) expresses its deepest condolences to Ruth Brown's 
     family and friends.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Conyers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. 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 materials on House Resolution 1090 
currently under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to join with my friend, Ranking Member 
Conyers, in support of this resolution to honor the life of Ruth Brown, 
a pioneering rhythm and blues singer who passed away last month. Ruth 
Brown was a well-known performer who paved the road for other R&B 
artists. In the 1950s she topped the R&B charts with a series of hits 
that helped establish Atlantic Records as a leading recording label for 
pop singers.

                              {time}  1545

  The label became known as ``the house that Ruth built.'' That means 
Yankee Stadium is not the only ``house that Ruth built.''
  Ruth Brown's style and singing ability influenced numerous other 
well-known musical artists, including Bonnie Raitt and Little Richard. 
Later in her career, she was awarded Tony and Grammy honors and was 
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  But Ruth Brown's most enduring contributions and her most remarkable 
qualities might have been her persistence and passionate desire for 
justice. During her last two decades, she devoted herself to the cause 
of collecting unpaid royalties for musicians, spending much of her time 
working with Congress to promote copyright royalty reform. She also 
helped establish a nonprofit foundation in Philadelphia to help finance 
medical care for needy musicians.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Conyers) for introducing this resolution, and I join him in urging the 
Members of the House to support this resolution to honor the 
extraordinary life and accomplishments of Ruth Brown and to extend the 
House's deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, Jim Sensenbrenner, for his very 
personal remarks about Ruth Brown and I thank him and our colleagues, 
Charles Rangel, Jerry Nadler, Barbara Lee and Bobby Scott, who all 
recognize the accomplishments of rhythm and blues singer Ruth Brown, 
who passed away on November 17, 2006. She was not only a great artist 
of contemporary music, but a fighter who reformed copyright royalty 
payments for recording artists.
  She had a great talent, as has been described, and became one of 
Atlantic Records' first recording stars. For that, she was inducted 
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a 1999 Lifetime 
Achievement Award from The Blues Foundation. She had an autobiography, 
``Miss Rhythm,'' and received the Ralph Gleason Award for Music.
  Aside from her outstanding singing career, though, Ruth Brown came to 
the attention of the Congress because she was a tireless advocate for 
the rights of other musicians and artists in the rhythm and blues 
category. She worked with us to advance the cause of copyright royalty 
reform so that rhythm and blues artists could at last receive the 
royalties that they deserved from their music. She also helped found 
the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1988 to recognize, promote and 
preserve rhythm and blues music. The important work of this foundation 
continues to this day. She came to the Hill and worked with not only 
the Judiciary Committee, but with the Congressional Black Caucus as 
well.
  The resolution we introduce today acknowledges the important 
contributions to American culture and recognizes Ruth Brown for her 
efforts to reform the royalty system and expresses the House's deepest 
condolences to the Ruth Brown family and friends. We remember her as a 
wonderful, beautiful musician, but also as a dedicated fighter for 
justice in the copyright field that is within our jurisdiction.
  So it is with great regret that we acknowledge the contributions of 
the late Ruth Brown.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I also yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1090.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having 
responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the 
resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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