[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN REMEMBRANCE OF BUDDY HOLLY, RITCHIE VALENS, J.P. ``THE BIG BOPPER'' 
                               RICHARDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2009

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of those who 
lost their lives on what would become known as ``The Day the Music 
Died.'' Fifty years ago today, on February 3, 1959, a plane crashed 
near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. ``The 
Big Bopper'' Richardson, and the pilot of the plane Roger Peterson. 
These musicians individually and collectively influenced a generation.
  Charles Hardin Holley, the singer known as Buddy Holly was born on 
September 7, 1936 and was a pioneer in rock-'n'-roll. He was raised in 
a musical family and found his calling in rock-'n'-roll in 1955. Buddy 
Holly shared the stage with many of the artists who were influenced by 
his work, such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, The Beatles, and the Rolling 
Stones, prior to his untimely death at the age of 22.
  Ritchie Valens, born Richard Stevens Valenzeula, was equally 
influential in his brief musical career. Born of Mexican decent, Valens 
was raised on mariachi and flamenco guitar music. He later used this 
influence to develop the unique Spanish language rock so many grew to 
love, such as in his hit ``La Bamba,'' which was originally a Mexican 
Folk song.
  Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr., known as ``The Big Bopper'', was a disk 
jockey, singer and songwriter who thrilled fans with classic recordings 
such as ``Chantilly Lace,'' and wrote such as ``White Lightnin'' for 
George Jones and ``Running Bear'' for Johnny Preston. Fifty years later 
after their death, their songs continue to grace the airways and 
influence many musicians today.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating the lives 
of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. ``The Big Bopper'' Richardson 
for their lives were cut tragically short but whose music will continue 
to live on.

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