[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1178-E1179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING AHMET ERTEGUN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a 
man who, without exaggeration, was called ``the greatest record man of 
all time'' and who with great character and spirit made indelible 
contributions to the worldwide promotion of African-American music and 
American popular culture while also standing for racial equality and 
social justice.
  Unfortunately, we lost Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records 
and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2006. His legacy will live on in 
the music he promoted, and the legendary careers--from Ray Charles to 
the Rolling Stones--he helped create and develop over 60 years.
  PBS recently ran a documentary titled ``Atlantic Records: The House 
that Ahmet Built.'' This 2-hour sensation chronicled the life of 
Ertegun from his birth in 1923 through his childhood, career, and 
success. We witnessed America change through his eyes, and the 
emergence of African-American music into popular culture with his 
guidance.
  I urge all Members of Congress to watch this documentary if they have 
not had the opportunity to do so. The son of the first Ambassador of 
the Republic of Turkey to the United States, Ertegun, through music and 
entertainment, was instrumental in breaking down the racial barriers 
that so divided our country during the years of Jim Crow laws and 
segregation. In the 1940s at a time when Washington was segregated, he 
frequented African-American nightclubs and realized that ``all popular 
music stems from black music, be it jazz or rock n' roll or rap.'' 
Ertegun is often credited for coining the phrase, ``jazz is America's 
music.''
  At every turn, Ertegun and his brother, Nesuhi, challenged the 
prevailing racial bigotry, stereotypes and discrimination. Despite 
being initially denied by the National Press Club and the segregation 
policies of the day, they organized the first integrated jazz concert 
before a white and black audience in Washington, DC at the Jewish 
Community Center in the 1940s. They even brought hostility to 
themselves in hosting the now famous integrated jazz sessions at their 
home of the Turkish embassy residence, again, challenging the practice 
of segregation. While not directly following in his father's footsteps 
with a diplomatic career, he practiced a true diplomacy in bringing 
people together.
  Ertegun's love of American black music led him to found Atlantic 
Records in 1947. For nearly five decades, Ertegun wrote and produced 
music, defined careers and changed the lives of household names such as 
Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, and others 
and brought African American music and soul into the American 
mainstream.
  It was a young Turk who prominently recognized, promoted and honored 
the contributions of black America in the entertainment and recording 
industries. In a February 2005 interview in Slate Magazine, Ertegun was 
asked what he considered to be his legacy. His answer: ``I'd be happy 
if people said that I did a little bit to raise the dignity and 
recognition of the greatness of African-American music.''

[[Page E1179]]

  Ertegun also became a trustee of several charitable organizations, 
including the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which sought to ensure that 
singers and artists received their share of royalties that they had for 
so long been denied. As mentioned earlier, he was a contributing 
founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, whose main 
exhibition hall now bears his name.
  Ahmet Ertegun's leadership is reflected in the inspirational careers 
of other Turkish Americans who continue the legacy of contributing to 
what makes America great. I hope that my colleagues, this great 
institution and the American people will join me in paying tribute to 
the life and accomplishments of a great American icon and a proud and 
talented Turk.

                          ____________________