[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 7 (Thursday, January 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 HONORING TEDDY PENDERGRASS (1950-2010)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2010

  Mr. FATTAH. Madam Speaker, Teddy Pendergrass lived many remarkable 
lives--a life of song, rich and sensuous, a life of determination to 
overcome a difficult childhood in North Philadelphia, and finally a 
life of perseverance and triumph against the greatest odds imaginable.
  When Teddy Pendergrass, at the too-young age of 59, died January 13 
in a hospital several miles from where he grew up in North 
Philadelphia, the tributes flowed from across the nation and the world. 
But they weren't nostalgic reminisces for a faded star whose career 
might have been cut short by a paralyzing automobile accident. The 
praise and admiration were present-tense, for a man who--by guts and 
willpower-- kept performing, kept filling concert halls, stayed vibrant 
on the playlists and wherever music is enjoyed.
  Even more, Teddy Pendergrass was a man of character and example. He 
grew in stature with the passage of years. He endured the hard solitary 
work of rehab so that he could return to the limelight--in a 
wheelchair, but ever-soulful. The tragedy of March 18, 1982 did not 
render Teddy bitter or consumed with self-pity. He emphatically made it 
clear that ``there is life after paralysis''.
  Offstage, Teddy Pendergrass worked to inspire and encourage others. 
He established the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance to raise money for other 
victims of spinal cord injuries. He partnered with the National Spinal 
Cord Association. He inspired young artists--and youth people with 
severed spinal cords.
  Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, born March 26, 1950, had a strong and 
special relationship with his mother Ida Burgess Pendergrass--and with 
the gift of music that she nurtured. Ida would stand young Teddy, at 
the age of two, on a chair in church and he would sing praises to the 
Lord. At age ten he was licensed to the Gospel Ministry. Soon he was 
playing the drums for various local groups including The Cadillacs. It 
was while drumming for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes that his vocal 
gift was discovered.
  In 1972, he signed to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International 
Records label. ``Teddy Bear'' was smoldering hot--in his recordings, on 
stage, everywhere he went. He recorded 10 platinum (million-selling) 
albums in a row for Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International 
Records. No one who heard them will ever forget hits like ``Love TKO'', 
``Turn Off the Lights,'' ``Feel The Fire.'' And of course, ``If You 
Don't Know Me By Now.'' His ``women only'' concerts are legendary.
  A year after his accident Teddy Pendergrass returned to recording, 
memorably in a 1984 duet with Whitney Houston, titled ``Hold Me.'' He 
rolled that wheelchair onstage at JFK Stadium to perform at the 
unforgettable ``Live Aid'' charity concert. He produced a 1998 
autobiography, undertook a 2002-2003 concert tour, and all the while 
serving as an inspiration to many young artists. The milestone of his 
life was ``Teddy 25--A Celebration of Life, Hope and Possibilities'' at 
Philadelphia's Academy of Music. It was a fund raiser for his Alliance, 
and it marked 25 years since the accident.
  Then, at last, came retirement. This past year, Teddy Pendergrass 
faced a battle with colon cancer that his great heart and courage could 
not overcome.
  Teddy Pendergrass loved life and would light up any room with his 
million dollar smile. He loved his family and held them close to his 
heart. This love was evidenced in the way that he encouraged family and 
friends to share private moments with him. He and his wife Joan enjoyed 
spending every possible moment together; laughter was a tremendous part 
of their life. Their love for each other was ordained by God and they 
became one in marriage. Teddy returned to the Lord Jesus Christ and 
together they joined the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.
  Teddy leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Joan 
Pendergrass, his devoted mother, Ida Pendergrass, his children, Teddy 
II (daughter-in-law, Felicia), Tishia (son-in-law, Cedric) and LaDonna; 
stepdaughters Sherilla Lestrade and Jessica Avila; grandchildren, 
Montaurius Drane, Desaray Drane, Teddy Pendergrass III, Alana Nida Sky 
Pendergrass, Jasmine Lestrade, Gabriel Gomes and Jeremiah Sanford. In 
addition to his immediate family, Teddy will be dearly missed by his 
godchildren, family and friends; especially, his cousins, Jerry and 
Francina Pendergrass, George Mouzon, Pee Wee Mosley and Neverland Dent; 
his special family; Joyce Canderlero, Edwin Dereese Canderlero, Antonio 
Canderlero, Keya Perinchief, Kylid Perinchief, Lori Edmonds, Paya 
Williams, ``second Mom'' Louise Hollerway, his manager's Danny Markus, 
Shep Gordon and Allan Strahi and longtime friend, Henry Evans.
  It is as Enon Tabernacle, one of Philadelphia's great churches, that 
a Celebration of Life will be conducted on Saturday, January 23, at 10 
a.m. Teddy Pendergrass lived a life worthy of celebration at every 
level. His music lives on. His spirit lives on. His fierce 
determination and zest for life endures. This is how we know him, by 
now.

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