Expressing Sense of Congress that Dinah Washington be Recognized as One of the Most Talented Vocalists in American Popular Music History

EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT DINAH WASHINGTON BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED VOCALISTS IN AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC HISTORY -- (House of Representatives - July 12, 2004)

Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 144) expressing the sense of Congress that Dinah Washington should be recognized for her achievements as one of the most talented vocalists in American popular music history.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for his introduction of this resolution, and I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 144, which recognizes the tremendous talent and accomplishments of Dinah Washington.

I have always been told that music is universal and everlasting. Therefore, Ms. Washington's impact on music can be felt and seen even among today's contemporary talents. While Dinah Washington was born in the 1920s, her true impact on music began in the late 1940s and 1950s.

Ms. Washington's early focus was on gospel music and spirituals, yet she did not believe in mixing the secular and spiritual. And once she entered the nonreligious music world professionally, she refused to include gospel in her repertoire. She became a full-fledged pop music star by the late 1950s, giving her the title of the Most Popular Black Female Recording Artist at that time.

She was noted as one of the most versatile and gifted vocalists in American popular music history. Ms. Washington's talent lent itself to making recordings in jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, and pop.

Despite her passing in December of 1963, her music continues to influence artists today. In 1993, her memory and influence on music became forever as we remember she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her face became a symbol of soul as her voice does in her music, as she is portrayed in one of the black history commemorative stamps.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to urge Members to support this resolution. I remember some of the titles of songs, "What a Difference a Day Makes," "Just 24 Little Hours," "My Yesterday Was Blue But Today I'm a Part of You"; and forever in the annals of music history will Dinah Washington be a part of us. What a difference a day makes and what a difference she made.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.