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[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 435 Introduced in House (IH)]

106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 435

      Recognizing and honoring Ernesto Antonio ``Tito'' Puente Jr.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 24, 2000

 Mr. Ortiz (for himself, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Rodriguez, 
Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Pastor, Mr. Becerra, Mr. Menendez, Ms. 
    Velazquez, Mr. Romero-Barcelo, Mr. Underwood, Mr. Hinojosa, Ms. 
  Sanchez, Mr. Gonzalez, Mrs. Napolitano, and Mr. Baca) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                      Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
      Recognizing and honoring Ernesto Antonio ``Tito'' Puente Jr.

Whereas Ernesto Antonio ``Tito'' Puente Jr. was a distinguished artist, 
        entertainer, and world-renowned leader of the Latin jazz movement;
Whereas Tito Puente was born on April 20, 1923, to Ernesto and Ercilla Puente in 
        New York City and raised in the neighborhood known as Spanish Harlem;
Whereas Tito Puente was recognized early in his life as a musical prodigy;
Whereas Tito Puente went on to learn to play piano and drums and in 1936, began 
        his musical career at the age of 16 as a drummer with the Noro Morales 
        Orchestra;
Whereas Tito Puente briefly interrupted his musical career to serve in the Navy 
        during World War II at the age of 19;
Whereas upon his discharge in 1945, Tito Puente used his GI benefits to attend 
        the prestigious Juilliard School, where he studied conducting, 
        orchestration, and theory;
Whereas Tito Puente resumed his career in 1947 and performed at a number of 
        night clubs and ballrooms in the United States over the years, in 
        particular, the Palladium Ballroom in the 1940's and 1950's, Madison 
        Square Garden in New York City, and sold-out performances at Radio City 
        Music Hall and the Apollo Theater in New York City;
Whereas Tito Puente was devoted to helping others pursue their dreams of careers 
        in music;
Whereas Tito Puente founded the Tito Puente Scholarship Foundation in 1980 to 
        benefit musically talented Hispanic children, which was later expanded 
        to provide scholarships to all music students nationwide;
Whereas Tito Puente recorded over 100 albums, won 5 Grammy awards, crafted over 
        400 musical compositions, and performed for 4 United States Presidents 
        (Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton);
Whereas Tito Puente's film credits include ``From Son to Salsa'' (1998), ``The 
        Mambo Kings'' (1992), ``Salsa'' (1988), and Woody Allen's ``Radio Days'' 
        (1987);
Whereas Tito Puente was awarded honorary degrees from the State University of 
        New York at Old Westbury in 1987, from Long Island University and Hunter 
        College of the City University of New York in New York City in 1994, and 
        from Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1995;
Whereas Tito Puente received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990;
Whereas Tito Puente received the Smithsonian Institution Lifetime Achievement 
        Award in 1996;
Whereas Tito Puente performed around the world at renowned musical jazz 
        festivals, including the Montreaux, Monterey, Munich, and North Sea 
        festivals;
Whereas Tito Puente's passion for Latin music was evident to the numerous 
        American and international audiences he performed for throughout his 
        career;
Whereas Tito Puente was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 
        1997;
Whereas Tito Puente was awarded the National Medal of the Arts by President 
        Clinton in 1997 and Living Legends Award by the Library of Congress in 
        2000;
Whereas Tito Puente died on June 1, 2000; and
Whereas Hispanic Heritage Month annually celebrates and honors the social, 
        cultural, and political contributions of Hispanic Americans: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes and honors Ernesto Antonio ``Tito'' Puente 
        Jr.--
                    (A) as one of the greatest American musicians of 
                all time; and
                    (B) for his contributions to music, culture, 
                community, and the Nation; and
            (2) extends its deepest gratitude to Tito Puente and his 
        family for sharing his musical gifts with the world.
                                 <all>
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