Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2021, as national "Chuck Brown Day", and honoring his contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.

Bill: 117-hres-593
Sponsor: full_name: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-08-20
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Congressional tributes

District of Columbia

Music

Performing arts
Latest action: action_date: 2021-08-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-08-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>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. </p>

tv_txt: IV 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 593 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 20, 2021 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, 2021, 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, whose popularity continues today; 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 catalog 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 DC 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, 2021, is Chuck Brown’s birthday: Now, therefore, be it

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.