[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING NORTON BUFFALO OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Norton Buffalo, a man of enormous musical talent, who passed away 
October 30, 2009, after a short battle with lung cancer. Although he is 
no longer with us, his music and his virtuosity as a harmonica player 
are gifts that will live on for generations to come.
  Born 58 years ago in Oakland, California and raised in the blue 
collar streets of Richmond, California, Norton developed an 
appreciation for music from his father, a harmonica player in his own 
right, his mother, a nightclub singer, and his great-uncle, an Academy 
Award winning composer. He won his first talent contest in 1963 while 
in the 6th grade and he never looked back.
  For decades he called Sonoma County home. His first solo album and 
tribute to his adopted home, ``Lovin' in the Valley of the Moon,'' was 
released in 1977. In addition to his own albums, he played on more than 
180 albums by other artists and was a member of the Steve Miller Band 
for 30 years. He was a master of all genres, from jazz to rock to blues 
to honky tonk. He toured with such notables as the Doobie Brothers, 
Kenny Loggins, Olivia Newton John, Commander Cody, Mickey Hart, Jerry 
Garcia and slide guitar player Roy Rogers, as well as his own bands.
  I was honored and privileged to know Norton as a friend, long after I 
was a fan. I grew up on his music and sought out his performances at 
small clubs and venues throughout Northern California. When we became 
friends many years later, I was touched by his compassion and his 
dedication to making the world a better place. He was a man with a 
heart to match his talent.
  Norton was a performer to the end. He was on tour with the Steve 
Miller Band in August when he received his diagnosis and was writing 
songs just days before his death.
  He is survived by his wife, Lisa Flores, his children, Aisah and 
Elias, his stepchildren, Sierra Ruelas, and Bo Winterburn, his father, 
Ken Jackson, and five brothers and sisters.
  Madam Speaker, Norton Buffalo touched millions of people with his 
music and his talent. It is therefore appropriate that we remember and 
honor him today.

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