[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30683]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JERRY ``ICEMAN'' BUTLER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2009

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to and honor a 
legendary singer and songwriter, Jerry ``Iceman'' Butler, on the 
occasion of his 70th birthday today. An award-winning performer, 
producer and composer, and one of the architects of Rhythm and Blues, 
Mr. Butler, has enjoyed a 51-year career that began at the young age of 
18, when he and Curtis Mayfield formed a rhythm and blues group, The 
Impressions, in Chicago in 1958.
  The same year, Butler wrote a song titled For Your Precious Love, 
which became ``the first of the Soul Music recordings'' and a 
``landmark recording,'' according to Rolling Stone Magazine. The 
single, on Vee-Jay Records, became the first for The Impressions to 
``go Gold.''
  Mr. Butler, named ``The Iceman'' in 1959 by Philadelphia radio 
personality Georgie Woods for Butler's ``cool as ice'' delivery and 
debonair, effortless style has had numerous million selling recordings 
(``Gold'') during his career: For Your Precious Love (with The 
Impressions, Vee-Jay, 1958); He Will Break Your Heart (Vee-Jay, 1960); 
Moon River (Vee-Jay, 1961); Never Gonna Give You Up (Mercury, 1976); 
Hey Western Union Man (Vee-Jay, 1968); Brand New Me (Mercury, 1969); 
Only The Strong Survive (Mercury, 1969); and Ain't Understanding Mellow 
(Mercury, 1973).
  Nominated for three Grammys for singing and composing, Mr. Butler is 
the recipient of numerous awards, including several from ASCAP 
(American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) for his 
songwriting and publishing work; two Billboard Magazine Awards as a 
writer and artist; two Humanitarian Awards and several BMI (Broadcast 
Music Inc.) Awards as a writer and publisher. Butler was inducted into 
the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as ``. . . one of the architects 
of Rhythm & Blues;'' and was the recipient of a Rhythm & Blues 
Foundation ``Pioneer Award'' in 1994.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Butler, married for 50 years to Annette and the 
father of adult twin sons, is now using his considerable talent to 
serve the public as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. 
First elected in 1986, Mr. Butler is currently the longest serving 
member of the Board. In his official capacity, he has led efforts to 
improve the quality of health services in the second most populous 
county in the United States, serving as Chair of the Board's Health and 
Hospitals Committee. Butler also serves as Commissioner and past 
President of the Northeastern (Illinois) Planning Commission, 
responsible for the planning and consultation for the six counties of 
Northeastern Illinois.
  Madam Speaker, it is my great privilege and honor to congratulate my 
friend and colleague, The Honorable Jerry ``Iceman'' Butler on the 
occasion of his 70th birthday and I am privileged to enter these words 
into the Congressional Record of the House of Representatives.

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