[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE OF ANTHONY ``LITTLE BENNY'' HARLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2010

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, the District of Columbia gathered on June 
11, 2010, in a great hall of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center 
to honor one of our own, out of S.E. and Ballou Senior High School, 
Anthony ``Little Benny'' Harley, for his distinctive contributions to 
our musical identity as a city. We gathered to celebrate our native 
son, whose magnificent trumpet brought joy to the world and acclaim to 
the District of Columbia. Little Benny became the living proof that a 
godfather could have godsons, when Little Benny showed the world that 
go-go music was no one-man passing fad--from the time Little Benny 
listened and learned from the go-go Godfather himself, Chuck Brown, to 
the day Little Benny died after performing alongside the Godfather.
  Few cities produce musical talent so deep that it comes to symbolize 
the town itself. Motown did that for Detroit. Go-go has done that for 
D.C. Little Benny's sound kept us from having ``Government Town'' 
plastered on our backs. His funk was the musical background for our 
fight for our vote and for statehood and against the autocrats in 
Congress who try to step on D.C. and on our rights. Little Benny's non-
stop funk, his beat, and his chants said ``Don't Mess with D.C.'' 
better than anything I could ever say on the floor of the House of 
Representatives. All too prematurely, Little Benny now joins our city's 
own hall of fame for musical geniuses, who have put D.C. on the musical 
map, from Duke Ellington to Sam Cook. Music comes and music goes, fast, 
but Little Benny has helped carve out a special brand of funk that 
distinguishes him and his hometown alike. We want Little Benny to rest 
in peace, but his sound will keep us all moving to his never ending 
beat.

                          ____________________