[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 83 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE PASSING OF MS. KOKO TAYLOR, THE ``QUEEN OF THE BLUES'' JUNE 4, 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR.

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2009

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of one of my most 
prestigious constituents, from Country Club Hills, Ms. Koko Taylor the 
``Queen of the Blues''. Ms. Taylor passed away yesterday afternoon at 
Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
  For more than 40 years, Koko Taylor's powerhouse vocals have thrilled 
audiences, from little bars in Chicago's South Side to giant 
international festivals. Ms. Taylor has been described by Rolling Stone 
as ``the great female blues singer of her generation.''
  She's been in movies, on television, on radio and in print all over 
the world and has received just about every award the blues world has 
to offer, including 29 Blues Music Awards, and a Grammy Award in 1984. 
I personally had the privilege of presenting the National Endowment of 
the Arts National Fellowship Award to Ms. Taylor in 2004.
  Undoubtedly, Ms. Taylor's contributions to the music world have been 
innumerable. I am deeply saddened by her passing and I rise today to 
honor her many achievements and offer my condolences to her family, 
friends, and fans across the country.

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