Title: Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2019, as national "Chuck Brown Day" and honoring his contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of a Chuck Brown Day and honors Brown's contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.


[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 541 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 541

Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2019, as national 
``Chuck Brown Day'' and honoring his contributions to music and to the 
                         District of Columbia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            August 16, 2019

 Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                 the Committee on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2019, as national 
``Chuck Brown Day'' and honoring his contributions to music and to the 
                         District of Columbia.

Whereas Chuck Brown is known as the ``Godfather of Go-Go'' because he was the 
        major architect of the musical genre known as go-go, a unique mix of 
        funk, soul, and Latin party sounds;
Whereas Chuck Brown, who was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away at the age 
        of 75 on May 16, 2012, was a resident of the District of Columbia most 
        of his life;
Whereas Chuck Brown, who taught himself to play guitar, became a virtuoso 
        singer, songwriter, guitarist, and band leader;
Whereas Chuck Brown's go-go beat gave the District of Columbia a musical 
        identity of its own and reminds the Nation that the District of Columbia 
        has always been the hometown of talented artists, among them Duke 
        Ellington and Marvin Gaye;
Whereas Chuck Brown's musical catalogue spans 22 studio albums over 3 decades;
Whereas Chuck Brown's hit ``Bustin' Loose'', with his group, the Soul Searchers, 
        was the top song on the Billboard Top 100 R&B Chart for 4 weeks in 1979;
Whereas Chuck Brown earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song ``Love'', 
        from his album entitled ``We Got This'', and was awarded a National 
        Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005;
Whereas Chuck Brown's go-go has been passed from generation to generation with 
        undiminished popularity;
Whereas Chuck Brown influenced jazz, rap, and go-go musicians, such as the bands 
        Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, and Experience Unlimited (also known as 
        E.U.);
Whereas Chuck Brown was so committed to securing statehood and equal voting 
        rights for the residents of the District of Columbia that he played a 
        concert on a very hot, humid day on the United States Capitol Grounds in 
        2010;
Whereas the District of Columbia has named a street located near the historic, 
        modernized Howard Theatre for Chuck Brown;
Whereas the District of Columbia has named a park located at 2901 20th Street, 
        NE, for Chuck Brown;
Whereas go-go serves as the soundtrack for the ``Don't Mute D.C.'' movement;
Whereas Chuck Brown is admired for having risen from humble beginnings and 
        overcoming time in prison to become a devoted father and family man;
Whereas Chuck Brown was a great, multitalented musician who brought joy through 
        his music, never stopping until his death; and
Whereas August 22, 2019, is Chuck Brown's birthday: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
designation of ``Chuck Brown Day'' and honors Chuck Brown's 
contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.
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