[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E643-E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO EUGENIA ``GENIE'' SWINSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Eugenia 
Elizabeth Swinson. Eugenia Swinson, or ``Genie,'' was born in Savannah, 
GA, to Eugene and Carrie Swinson. She was raised on Long Island's South 
Shore Bay in New York. Genie and her 9 siblings are products of the Bay 
Shore Public School District. After graduation, all of them attended 
college. Genie decided upon C.W. Post College with a major of vocal 
music.
  During her studies at Post, she toured Europe her freshman year with 
the Chamber and Madrigal Ensembles. Upon returning from the tour, she 
decided to move to California to launch a professional singing career. 
This turned out be a wise decision because once there she had an 
opportunity to work with

[[Page E644]]

Quincy Jones on the Brothers Johnson debut album as well as tour with 
Boz Scaggs under the stage name of ``Pepper Swinson.'' There would be 
many more bands that would come her way.
  She returned to New York due to illness, however, after recuperating, 
she moved to Israel to sing. After working in the Givatiem and Tel 
Aviv, Israel, she once again returned to New York, this time with a new 
skill. She had mastered the Hebrew language. Almost immediately after 
arriving in the United States, Genie's health took a turn for the 
worse. She began a battle with end stage renal disease, due to Systemic 
Lupus Erythmatosis. This would mean 7 years of dialysis before a 
successful kidney transplant at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, 
Massachusetts.
  While in New York, Genie decided to return to C.W. Post College to 
earn her undergraduate degree in modern languages with a minor in 
music. She studied Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. After the transplant, 
Genie landed a job with the New York City Board of Education as a 
teacher of Spanish. She received her masters degree in multicultural 
education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Bronx, New York. 
She is currently a teacher at a Theatre Arts School in the Bronx and 
also gives private voice lessons in her home. Genie actively continues 
her studies in languages. Italian and Portuguese are her current 
passions. ``It's my favorite pastime.''
  Not long after her transplant, she was approached by a representative 
from the New York Organ Donor Network and became a volunteer 
spokesperson for that organization. She appeared at several speaking 
and singing engagements on behalf of the Network. At several events she 
sang ``Another Chance to Give'' (La Vispera de Vida) in both English 
and Spanish in an effort to bring awareness to the need for organ and 
tissue donors.
  It was her position as the official spokesperson for the Network that 
led her to an opportunity to sing the national anthem before games at 
both Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden for both professional 
teams. Today, Genie remains a strong advocate of organ and tissue 
transplantation.
  Genie has modeled for Mode Magazine and continues to sing for Wilson 
Pickett's back up band, The Midnight Movers. Accompanied by jazz 
pianist Dr. Billy Taylor, she recently sang at a gala given by the Jazz 
Foundation of America which honored its co-founder Ann Ruckert.
  ``I am a collector of people,'' said Genie. ``I have the same friends 
today that I had in the second grade. Naturally, I've added on to that 
distinctive group, but those friends are still an important part of my 
life. I like to spend time, reading, studying languages and spoiling my 
nieces, nephews and God's children. I'm honored to be a part of this 
distinctive group,'' added Genie.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Genie for sharing her beautiful 
talents with the rest of us. Through all of her adversity she continued 
to grace us with her gift of song.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Eugenia ``Genie'' Swinson.

                          ____________________