[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 23 (Monday, February 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF WHITNEY HOUSTON

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                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 13, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep sadness and heavy 
heart that I rise today to pay tribute to Whitney Houston, a woman 
whose extraordinary voice touched the heart of America.
  Ms. Houston died on Saturday, February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills. She 
was 48 years old.
  Ms. Houston's musical career began in 1985, when her debut album, 
Whitney Houston, was released and she became an instant musical 
sensation. She produced some of the most memorable music of her 
generation, including her signature hit, ``I Will Always Love You.''
  Whitney Houston was one of the biggest names in the music industry 
and her accomplishments as a singer are many. In 2009, the Guinness 
World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act of all time. Her 
awards include two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music 
Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career 
awards in her lifetime. Houston was also one of the world's bestselling 
music artists, having sold over 200 million albums and singles 
worldwide.
  She will always be remembered as one of the greatest voices who ever 
graced the Earth. To have heard the voice of Whitney Houston was to 
have witnessed singing perfection. My heart goes out to her daughter, 
Bobbi Kristina, and all of her family and friends who are mourning the 
loss of this remarkable woman.
  Mr. Speaker, where do broken hearts go? Millions of hearts broke at 
the news that with her passing, we lost one of the greatest gifts of 
all; the pure joy we felt whenever Whitney sang one of those songs that 
made us get up and want to dance with somebody.
  Yes, we almost had it all. Whitney Houston left us too soon, but her 
remarkable voice will live in our hearts as one moment in time we will 
never forget.
  I request a moment of silence in her honor and memory.

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