[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE PASSING OF AND RECENT STREET NAMING IN HONOR OF 
                           ERNESTINE ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. 
Ernestine Anderson, who was recently commemorated in Seattle with a 
street renamed in her honor. Ms. Anderson passed away on March 10, 
2016. She was an internationally renowned and a beloved Seattle jazz 
vocalist. Ms. Anderson's career spanned over six decades and earned her 
four Grammy nominations. In fitting commemoration, Ernestine Anderson 
Way now spans the heart of Seattle's Central District, where her career 
started.
   Ernestine Anderson was born in Houston, Texas on November 11, 1928 
and began singing when she was 3 years old. Her family moved to Seattle 
in 1944 and she began singing in clubs on Jackson Street in the Central 
District as a teenager. During her career, Ernestine Anderson performed 
at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and in 1958 she performed at 
the first Monterey Jazz Festival.
   After many years touring and recording music in Los Angeles, New 
York and London, Ms. Anderson returned to Seattle and briefly retired 
from music, working as a hotel maid and at a telephone answering 
service. Ms. Anderson is known for her song ``Never Make Your Move Too 
Soon,'' which was recorded by B.B. King, and appeared on her Grammy 
nominated album in 1981.
   In 2002, Ms. Anderson was awarded the Golden Umbrella by the popular 
Seattle music and arts festival known as Bumbershoot. In 2012, the Low 
Income Housing Institute named one of their projects Ernestine Anderson 
Place. These acknowledgements are a testament to the impact that Ms. 
Ernestine has had on Seattle.
   Ernestine Anderson has left an indelible mark on our community and 
her legacy will live on through her music. A memorial service for 
Ernestine Anderson took place on April 9, 2016 in Seattle, Washington 
at the historical Paramount Theater. She will be greatly missed.

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