[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16743]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                DEATH OF MICHAEL JACKSON, JUNE 25, 2009

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I too wish our Nation a very 
happy birthday. But I rise in sadness to celebrate, but yet mourn, the 
passing of Michael Jackson, to celebrate a life that was full of 
artistry. It was, in essence, a joy to many who listened and those who 
danced.
  Michael Jackson loved America. He was truly a story that came from 
the very dreams that Americans have. Starting in the very bowels of a 
city called Gary, Indiana, living in a two bedroom bungalow, he rose to 
the highest pedestals of entertainment and, of course, iconic state.
  He was the King of Pop. But he was also a quiet man, a man who, in 
fact, loved to give back and a humanitarian. For those of us who 
remember the words of ``We Are the World,'' one of the first 
conglomerations of bringing people together, to be able to emphasize 
that we do have a responsibility to others. And then the song, ``The 
Man in the Mirror,'' we can make a difference.
  Born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, he was one of the Jackson 
Five. But more importantly, he was a father. He was someone who would 
bring a face to America. I intend to introduce a resolution in honor of 
Michael Jackson because we believe in the good. And he was good. He saw 
our soldiers. He fought against HIV/AIDS. He wanted to show that he 
cared. And he did.
  It is my pleasure to have hosted Michael Jackson on Capitol Hill in 
2004 when he came to stand against AIDS and to fight that devastating 
disease.
  Today I stand and recognize that he truly was a man who loved 
America.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to remember and honor the 
memory of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson who was a 
charismatic musician and beloved American musician from a tender age, 
suffered from cardiac arrest today and died at the age of 50.
  Michael Jackson truly was the King of Pop and a true icon that was 
world renowned. We watched a boy grow into a superstar before our eyes 
and enjoyed the music he brought to the world. The Jackson 5 were the 
first act in recorded history to have their first four major label 
singles (``I Want You Back'', ``ABC'', ``The Love You Save'', and 
``I'll Be There'') reach the top of the American charts.
  Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of 
nine children. Five Jackson boys--Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and 
Michael--first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. 
They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling 
band, The Jackson Five.
  Once Michael Jackson went solo we enjoyed such hits as Thriller, Beat 
It and Billie Jean and of course the legendary moonwalk. ``Thriller'' 
released in 1982, which became a smash hit yielded seven top-10 
singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at 
least 27 million worldwide. It was a monumental moment in music 
history.
  Not only an iconic singer and performer, Michael Jackson was a 
philanthropist and advocate for AIDS awareness and Child Hunger. 
Jackson co-wrote the charity single ``We Are the World'' with Lionel 
Richie, which was released worldwide to aid the poor in Africa and the 
US. He was one of 39 music celebrities who performed on the record. The 
single became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 
20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine 
relief.
  I was honored to personally meet with Michael Jackson on Capitol Hill 
in 2004 and am deeply saddened by his passing. He is survived by his 
three children, his brothers and sisters, family, friends and a world 
full of fans. I will leave you all with a quote from Michael, ``If you 
enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing 
the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.''

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