IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 280 
Honoring the House music genre and its ‘‘Godfather’’, the late Frankie 
Knuckles of Chicago, Illinois, for valuable and longstanding contributions 
to the culture of the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 21, 2015 
Ms. JACKSON LEE (for herself, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, and Mr. 
RUSH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Honoring the House music genre and its ‘‘Godfather’’, the 
late Frankie Knuckles of Chicago, Illinois, for valuable 
and longstanding contributions to the culture of the 
United States. 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles was a world-class entertainer who 
revolutionized dance music around the globe; 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles played a pivotal role in the cre-
ation and evolution of the House music genre, which has 
become a staple of dance clubs throughout the world; 
Whereas, for over 30 years, Frankie Knuckles packed the 
world’s dance floors with his unique musical style; 
Whereas one of Frankie Knuckles’ first albums included 
‘‘The Whistle Song’’ which is perhaps most memorable as 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:46 May 21, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR280.IH
HR280
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 280 IH 
the soundtrack for a Lipton iced tea commercial in the 
mid-1990s; 
Whereas, as a producer and remixer, Frankie Knuckles lent 
his talents to some of R&B and pop music’s elite, includ-
ing artists such as Mary J. Blige, the Pet Shop Boys, 
Ricky Martin, Lisa Stansfield, Yoko Ono, Whitney Hous-
ton, Sounds of Blackness, Michael Jackson, Janet Jack-
son, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Michael Bolton, Toni 
Braxton, and Madonna; 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles’ production and mixing career 
was officially recognized by the music industry in 1998 
when The National Academy of Recording Arts and 
Sciences presented him with the first ever Grammy for 
‘‘Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical’’; 
Whereas, in 2001, Definity Records released the single ‘‘Keep 
on Movin’’ by Frankie Knuckles featuring vocalist Nicki 
Richards; 
Whereas the song ‘‘Keep on Movin’’ opened Frankie Knuck-
les’ mix album ‘‘Motivation’’ and was the beginning of a 
collaboration between Frankie Knuckles and Nicki Rich-
ards that culminated with the release of his album ‘‘A 
New Reality’’ about which Billboard Magazine wrote 
‘‘Knuckles strings together an inspirational and spiritual 
collection of gospel-infused club songs’’; 
Whereas ‘‘A New Reality’’ was released in April 2004 in the 
United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, and 
Japan simultaneously, and continues to receive media at-
tention, and the album’s first single ‘‘Bac N da Day’’, 
was Frankie Knuckles’ first collaboration in 20 years 
with longtime friend, House music legend, and co-writer 
Jamie Principle; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:46 May 21, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR280.IH
HR280
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 280 IH 
Whereas, on August 25, 2004, the Mayor of Chicago pro-
claimed the date ‘‘Frankie Knuckles Day’’ and des-
ignated a street ‘‘Frankie Knuckles Way’’; 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles served as a Governor and Trustee 
for the New York City Chapter of The National Academy 
of Recording Arts and Sciences; 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles continued to use his celebrity to 
provide entertainment for numerous charities, and has 
lent his services to many organizations, including Meals 
on Wheels, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the Pediatric AIDS 
foundation, and the Harvey Milk School; 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles established the Warehouse night-
club at 206 South Jefferson in 1977 providing a 
transitioning portal for the Disco dance music genre and 
a music rebirth extracted from the name this extremely 
popular venue henceforth and forevermore designated as 
‘‘House Music’’; 
Whereas Frankie served as an inspiration to a legion of DJs 
worldwide including Chicago DJs Wayne Williams, The 
Chosen 
Few, 
Farley 
Keith 
Williams 
aka 
Farley 
Jackmaster Funk and the Hotmix 5, Jesse Saunders, 
Steve Silk Hurley, Jamie Principal, Andre Hatchett, 
Marshall Jefferson, Chip E, and many others as pio-
neering disciples of a new and emerging genre who 
helped to take House music to international acclaim; 
Whereas Frankie Knuckles is an American music icon, inspi-
ration to many, and a global music phenomenon; and 
Whereas we support the designation of July 2015 as ‘‘House 
Music Heritage Month’’ honoring the contributions of the 
House music genre and its ‘‘Godfather’’, Frankie Knuck-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:46 May 21, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR280.IH
HR280
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 280 IH 
les, for their valuable and longstanding contributions to 
the culture of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) applauds the contributions made by the 
House music genre and artists such as Frankie 
Knuckles to the culture of the United States; 
(2) supports the designation of a national day 
of recognition for Chicago House music pioneer 
Frankie Knuckles; 
(3) recommits itself to ensuring that musical 
artists such as Frankie Knuckles receive fair protec-
tion under the copyright laws of the United States; 
(4) endeavors to support the protection of 
House music artists’ content globally; and 
(5) directs the Clerk of the House of Represent-
atives to transmit enrolled copies of this resolution 
to Frankie Knuckles, or his assignee. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:46 May 21, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR280.IH
HR280
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS