IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 27 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that James Brown, 
also known as the ‘‘God Father of Soul’’, should be recognized for 
his contributions to American music as one of the greatest and most 
influential entertainers of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s as an American 
cultural icon. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 10, 2007 
Mr. RANGEL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Education and Labor 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 
James Brown, also known as the ‘‘God Father of Soul’’, 
should be recognized for his contributions to American 
music as one of the greatest and most influential enter-
tainers of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s as an American 
cultural icon. 
Whereas James Brown was a musician and bandleader, en-
trepreneur, philanthropist, advocate for education, and 
creator of the musical background for the Civil Rights 
Movement; 
Whereas James Brown was born on May 3, 1933, in Barn-
well, South Carolina; 
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•HCON 27 IH 
Whereas James Brown was raised in dire poverty in Augusta, 
Georgia, where in his childhood years he helped to sup-
port his family by picking cotton and shining shoes; 
Whereas he began his musical career as a singer with the 
‘‘The Gospel Starlighters’’ in 1955; 
Whereas later that year he had his first musical success as 
a member of a group called ‘‘The Flames’’ whose first 
single, ‘‘Please, Please, Please’’, sold over 1,000,000 cop-
ies; 
Whereas James Brown delighted audiences around the world 
with his unique dance moves and nonstop energy; 
Whereas his shows at the legendary Apollo Theater in Har-
lem, New York, and other venues were consistently sold 
out; 
Whereas James Brown became known nationally as a super-
star after the release of a live recorded performance at 
the Apollo in 1963; 
Whereas his 1968 recording ‘‘Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m 
Proud’’, became a virtual anthem for the Civil Rights 
Movement, reflecting African Americans’ new-found pride 
in their racial identity; 
Whereas James Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll 
Hall of Fame in New York on January 23, 1986; 
Whereas he was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement 
Award at the 34th annual Grammy Awards on February 
25, 1992; 
Whereas James Brown received the prestigious Kennedy Cen-
ter Honors in 2003; 
Whereas he was inducted into the United Kingdom Music 
Hall of Fame on November 14, 2006; 
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•HCON 27 IH 
Whereas James Brown was a trailblazer and pioneer in the 
music genres of Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, 
Funk, and Hip Hop; 
Whereas because of poverty, he dropped out of school in the 
7th grade; 
Whereas James Brown became a staunch advocate for edu-
cation; 
Whereas his signature song, ‘‘Don’t Be A Dropout’’, released 
in 1966, urged young people to stay in school; 
Whereas James Brown owned radio stations, publishing com-
panies, and record labels; 
Whereas to honor his wish of supporting musical creativity in 
young people, his family has established the James 
Brown Music Education Foundation which will provide 
music scholarships for aspiring musicians; 
Whereas James Brown died on December 25, 2006, in At-
lanta Georgia; and 
Whereas in recognition of his close association with the Apol-
lo Theater, his body lay in state there as thousands of 
visitors from New York and across the country filed by 
to pay their respects: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that James 
Brown should be recognized for his contributions as an 
American musical icon. 
Æ 
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