[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6525]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BURT BACHARACH

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I salute the life and accomplishments of 
Burt Bacharach, who received The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for 
Popular Song on Tuesday night. This award is given to musicians whose 
lifetime contributions to the field of popular song demonstrate the 
standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin. Mr. 
Bacharach received this award jointly with cowriter Hal David, which is 
the first time in the history of this award that it has gone to a 
songwriting team. This prestigious honor not only celebrates their 
work, but it places them among the ranks of Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, 
and Stevie Wonder, all previous recipients.
  Born in Missouri and raised in New York, Burt built a name for 
himself over his six-decade career as one of the country's most 
respected and honored songwriters. His partnership with Hal David 
created such beloved songs as ``Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head,'' 
``What the World Needs Now is Love,'' ``Walk on By,'' and ``Alfie.'' 
The duo first began collaborating in the 1950s at the Famous Paramount 
Music Company, and among their first big hits were ``The Story of My 
Life,'' made famous by Marty Robbins, and ``Magic Moments,'' performed 
by Perry Como.
  Following on their first successes, between 1962 and 1972 their songs 
were almost continuously on Billboard Magazine's singles chart. During 
this time they worked with an array of singers, including Dionne 
Warwick, B.J. Thomas, Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters, Tom Jones, 
Jackie DeShannon, Gene Pitney, and Herb Alpert. Together, Burt and Hal 
have written numerous hits that have helped launch the careers of some 
of America's most celebrated musicians.
  Mr. Bacharach, one of the most honored and successful composers of 
our time, has earned three Academy Awards and eight Grammy Awards. 
These include the 1997 Grammy Trustees Award, which he shares with 
David, and the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. Even after being 
inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he is still touring and 
performing all over the world.
  I ask my Senate colleagues join me in honoring and congratulating Mr. 
Burt Bacharach on this well-deserved honor.

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