[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 22718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LINDA HOPKINS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I want to come and join with hundreds of 
people who yesterday had the exciting experience of being in Hollywood 
on the Walk of Fame for a famous jazz and blues singer, Linda Hopkins, 
who received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  Linda Hopkins was honored with the 2,292nd star on the world-famous 
Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday, October 6, at 11:30 a.m. in front of 
the Pantages Theatre. Johnny Grant, Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and 
Chairman of the Walk of Fame Committee, presided over the event.
  Hopkins made her singing debut at the age of 3 in her hometown church 
in New Orleans and grew up to become an internationally acclaimed 
vocalist and actress. Hopkins was inspired by blues legend Bessie Smith 
and began to sing her songs and conceived, wrote, and starred in the 
one-woman musical, ``Me and Bessie.'' The musical was the longest 
running show in the history of Broadway and the only one written by an 
African American woman. It also won the coveted Drama Desk Award.
  In 1972, she won the Tony Award for best supporting actress for her 
performance in ``Inner City.'' Hopkins toured with such artists as 
Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bradford Marsalis. From 1985 through 1997, Hopkins 
co-starred in the play ``Black and Blue'' on Broadway and in Paris.

                              {time}  1630

  She also holds the record for the most guest performances on Johnny 
Carson's ``Tonight Show'' with more than 148 appearances. She recently 
returned from working on ``Wild Women Blues'' which she created and 
toured throughout Europe. She will return to the show in December. 
Hopkins continues her work in the community by helping the homeless, 
presenting and assisting new and young artists in the performing arts 
community, and doing outreach to local communities to promote economic 
development.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to say congratulations to Linda once again, and 
we are so very pleased to be the ones to nominate Linda. It took us a 
few years, but she got that star on the Walk of Fame.

     Linda Hopkins to Receive Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Today

       Singer Linda Hopkins will be honored with the 2,292nd star 
     on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 6, 11:30 
     a.m., in front of Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. 
     Johnny Grant, Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and Chairman of the 
     Walk of Fame Committee, will preside over the event.
       Hopkins made her singing debut at the age of three in her 
     hometown church in New Orleans and grew up to become an 
     internationally acclaimed vocalist and actress. Hopkins was 
     inspired by blues legend Bessie Smith and began to sing her 
     songs and conceived, wrote and starred in the one-woman 
     musical, ``Me and Bessie.'' The musical was the longest 
     running show in the history of Broadway and the only one 
     written by an African American woman. It also won the coveted 
     Drama Desk Award.
       In 1972, she won the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress 
     for her performance in ``Inner City.'' Hopkins toured with 
     such artists as Sammy Davis Jr. and Branford Marsalis. From 
     1985 through 1997, Hopkins co-starred in the play ``Black and 
     Blue'' on Broadway and in Paris. She also holds the record 
     for most guest performances on Johnny Carson's ``Tonight 
     Show,'' with more than 148 appearances. She recently returned 
     from working on ``Wild Women Blues,'' which she created and 
     toured with throughout Europe. She will return to the show in 
     December.
       Hopkins continues her work in the community by helping the 
     homeless, presenting and assisting new and young artists in 
     the performing arts community and doing outreach to local 
     communities to promote economic development.

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