[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE MEMORY OF GEORGIA DOBBINS DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RASHIDA TLAIB

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2020

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Georgia Dobbins 
Davis, a long-time resident of the 13th Congressional District's 
Inkster, Michigan and Former Motown artist, who passed away on 
September 18, 2020.
  Born in Arkansas, Ms. Dobbins moved to Michigan at a young age. She 
spent her teenage years in Inkster, singing and performing with several 
local musical groups, including the Marvels, the group with which 
Georgia Dobbins made her mark on Motown. The Marvels nearly missed the 
chance to audition for Motown when they came in fourth place of their 
high school talent show. In the end, they ended up tagging along with 
the winning group. Motown executives were so impressed by the group's 
performance, they asked the young women to come up with an original 
song. Ms. Dobbins worked with a friend who wrote the melody for the 
song ``Please Mr. Postman'' while she wrote the lyrics in only three 
days' time. ``Please Mr. Postman'' was the hit song that launched a 
career for the Marvels, now known as the Marvelettes.
  While Ms. Dobbins ultimately did not pursue a musical career, her 
song was a significant contribution to music and Detroit's culture and 
sound. It reached number one on the charts after only fourteen weeks 
and has been covered by artists such as the Carpenters who had their 
own hit with it, and the Beatles.
  Ms. Dobbins remained in Inkster, raising her daughter, Kimberly and 
working at a local grocery store. She was well known for her beautiful 
smile and kind heart. Please join me in honoring the memory of Ms. 
Georgia Dobbins Davis.

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