[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1795]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF SINGER, SONGWRITER, ACTIVIST, AND INSPIRER 
                               BOB MARLEY

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in reverent celebration of 
the birthday of Robert Nesta Marley, a man whose musical genius 
provided the soundtrack to the politically awakening times of the '60s 
and '70s. Through song, he attempted to forge a new world order, 
infusing his calls for nonviolence, unity, and faith with an 
enthralling reggae beat that propelled the sound of Jamaica 
internationally.
  On this day, the anniversary of his birth, the world rejoices in the 
myriad contributions his unique voice made to reggae music, to 
Rastafarian religion, to social justice and peace. He serves, still, as 
an ambassador for the Jamaican essence, personifying through his 
undying image and legacy the diverse people of that island and its rich 
culture.
  His sound sprung from the slums of Kingston. But--surrounded by 
economic devastation, political violence, and the intolerance of his 
mixed-race heritage--he clung to optimism, instead. The sanguine 
anthems of ``One Love'' and ``No Woman, No Cry'' gave voice to the 
oppression of poverty and its effect on the human spirit, captivating a 
generation and spanning the globe in its power and scope.
  For this, we honor him--stirred, touched, inspired by his cause.

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