[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16263]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              A SALUTE TO VIRGIN MARY ``JEFFERSON'' PAIGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 2002

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, Virgin Mary ``Jefferson'' Paige was born on 
August 10, 1926 in Washington DC. She attended Armstrong Senior High 
(Duke Ellington's high school) and was the Dean of students for the 
Cortez Peters Secretarial School. As a civic and cultural activist, she 
served with such distinguished organizations as the Restoration of the 
Howard Theater Project, Lettumplay, DC Commission on the Arts and 
Humanities, and the Ad Hoc Committee for the Arts for the New 
Convention Center.
  Mary began her professional singing career at age fourteen. Her first 
job was at the Elks Club at 15th & Q St; NW. Her mentors were Duke 
Ellington, Big Maybelle and was taught tap dancing by band leader 
Lionel Hampton. She danced in the chorus line in the Caverns, performed 
in jig shows and did interpretive dancing to such tunes as ``Smoke 
Rings''. She also performed in such clubs as Melody Inn, Turner's 
Arena, Boots and Saddle, Off Beat and the Republic Gardens. Virgin Mary 
``Jefferson'' Paige graced the stages on the local club scene for 60 
years. As an actress she performed in film, television, commercials and 
won an Emmy for the documentary ``7th and T.'' Mary traveled with a 
group of Washington DC jazz and blues singers to perform at the San 
Remo Blues Festival in Italy. She was aptly called the ``Queen of DC 
Blues''.
  Her loyal fans and admirers mourned the loss of this great artist on 
August 10, 2002. Her contribution to the development of the Washington 
jazz and blues scene will not be forgotten.

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