[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN REMEMBRANCE OF JAMES BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2007

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the lifelong 
achievements of the Godfather of Soul, James Joseph Brown, who changed 
American music forever. Over his more than five-decade-long career, Mr. 
Brown affected and evolved countless music genres while leaving his 
enduring signature style and grace for everyone to admire.
  Born in rural South Carolina during the Great Depression, Mr. Brown 
learned very quickly the value of hard work and dedication, from 
picking cotton to shining shoes to washing dishes. A self-taught 
musician and performer, Mr. Brown arrived on the music scene in 1955 
and soon started releasing hit records. Mr. Brown's influence was not 
isolated to merely music, but extended into local communities by 
sponsoring youth programs, investing in African American businesses, 
and speaking at high schools across the country. Throughout the 1960's, 
Mr. Brown was not only a frequent name atop the music charts by 
releasing singles like ``Papa's Got a Brand New Bag'' and ``I Got You 
(I Feel Good),'' but also an outspoken advocate for the Civil Rights 
movement.
  Mr. Brown's trendsetting stage performances and groundbreaking 
musical innovations are just a few of the many legacies he has left 
behind. From his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1968 to being 
a 2003 Kennedy Center Honoree, Mr. Brown not only has paved the way for 
numerous artists, but also has left a lasting impact on music that is 
still being felt today.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the Hardest 
Working Man in Show Business, James Brown, whose inspiration and genius 
will continue to touch the lives of generations to come.

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