[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 173 (Thursday, October 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           TRIBUTE TO BIRMINGHAM'S CELEBRATION OF ALABAMA 200

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2017

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
City of Birmingham's kick-off celebrations for ``Alabama 200,'' a three 
year campaign to commemorate the people and places of Alabama in 
recognition of its 200 years of statehood. This week Birmingham 
launches its bicentennial theme, ``I'm Coming Home'', at the Alabama 
Theatre in downtown historic district.
   Alabama 200 offers the opportunity to look back at the state's 
unique and diverse history. For the City of Birmingham, it's a chance 
to highlight and remember contributions of the wonderful people from 
the City who have helped shape our great state and change this nation.
   I believe it is befitting that during the 2017 Magic City Classic 
football weekend that we pay special tribute to the outstanding 
contributions of Birmingham's musical luminaries.
   A few of Birmingham's biggest musical giants, include The Blind Boys 
of Alabama, Lionel Hampton and the amazing talent of The Temptations, 
comprised of Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams, and Melvin 
Franklin. Between these Birmingham men there are a total of eight 
Grammys, numerous White House performances and several Hall of Fame 
inductions. Through the course of their careers they became regarded as 
some of the best in their respective genres.
   Perhaps, the best known vocal group from Birmingham was The 
Temptations. Before The Temptations became one of Motown's greatest 
singing groups they started out as a trio from the Magic City called 
The Cavaliers. They were led by childhood friends Eddie Kendrick and 
Paul Williams who grew up in the Birmingham neighborhood of Ensley.
   Today, The Temptations are world renowned and considered ambassadors 
of soul. During their career the group has sold 16 million LPs and 
scored 14 number one R&B singles, including `My Girl' and `Ain't Too 
Proud to Beg'. They received three Grammys and were inducted into the 
Grammy Hall of Fame.
   Members of The Blind Boys of Alabama also had deep roots in the City 
of Birmingham. This talented group is a 5-time Grammy award-winning 
gospel group who first sang together in 1939. In the seven decades 
since the Blind Boys of Alabama first performed, America has changed 
tremendously--witnessing everything from a world war to the civil 
rights movement. But through it all, the Blind Boys' music has not only 
endured, but thrived, helping both to define the sound of the American 
south and to push it forward through the 20th century and well on into 
the 21st century.
   The Blind Boys of Alabama first sang together in the school chorus 
at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in Talladega, Alabama. The 
group was originally called the ``Happyland Jubilee Singers'' and its 
founding members were Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter, George Scott, 
Velma Bozman Traylor, Johnny Fields, Olice Thomas, and the only sighted 
member, J. T. Hutton.
   The Blind Boys first rose to fame in the segregated south, releasing 
their debut single, ``I Can See Everybody's Mother But Mine,'' in 1948. 
Seventy years later the group continues to entertain crowds around the 
globe.
   Many do not know that great jazz musician Lionel Hampton also had 
his early beginnings in Birmingham, Alabama. Shortly after his birth in 
1908 in Louisville, Kentucky, he and his mother moved to her hometown 
in Birmingham, AL.
   Lionel Hampton was a musical genius who mastered so many instruments 
and roles. He was a jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, 
bandleader and actor. Lionel Hampton's rich mastery of the vibraphone 
made him one of the leading figures of the swing era. He was an 
extremely important figure in American music, not only as an 
entertainer and an improvising musician in jazz, but also because his 
band helped usher in rock 'n' roll.
   He performed on piano and drums and was one of the first musicians 
to play the vibraphone in jazz. He also played on groundbreaking 
recordings with Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter and Benny Goodman in the 
1920's and 30's.
   The exceptional talent of Lionel Hampton, the Blind Boys of Alabama 
and the Temptations has made the City of Birmingham proud. While these 
musical giants will be honored during Magic City Classic, the 
contributions of other Birmingham notables will also be celebrated by 
the City during the three-year campaign leading up to Alabama's 200 
anniversary of statehood. Future Birmingham honorees will include: Dr. 
James Andrews, Dr. Richard Arrington, Jr., Charles Barkley, William 
Bell, Sr., Bobby Bowden, Courtney Cox, Dr. Larry DeLucas, Fannie Flagg, 
Dr. Herschell Lee Hamilton, Emmylou Harris, Bo Jackson, Carl Lewis, 
Rebecca Luker, Dr. Charles McCallum, Patty McDonald, Dr. Michael Saag, 
David Sea, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Dr. Selwyn Vickers, Dr. Michael 
McCracken and Odessa Woolfolk. Special recognition to the illustrious 
Dr. Henry Panion III composer and professor of music at University of 
Alabama at Birmingham for his outstanding efforts in arranging, 
directing and performing the tributes to Birmingham's musical giants 
during the Magic City Classic weekend.
   Alabama's bicentennial celebration offers citizens and visitors of 
all ages the chance to share and explore our state's history as we 
share our colorful past and imagine a more progressive future.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of ``Alabama 200''--
the three-year bicentennial campaign--and the very special role the 
people of Birmingham played in shaping this state and our nation. May 
the State of Alabama, the City of Birmingham and their rich traditions 
continue to grow and prosper for many more years to come.

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