The Week In Congress.com

Week Ending July 16, 2004

House Concurrent Resolution 144 recognizing Dinah Washington as one of the most talented vocalists in American popular music.

BRIEF

  The Resolution establishes that singer / performer Dinah Washington was born in August 1924 and developed her talents first in gospel and spiritual music.

   She first toured with Lionel Hampton’s big band in 1943 and thereby gained her first recording contract.

   She was a full-fledged pop music star by the late 1950s after recording the ballad, `What a Difference a Day Makes';

    Dinah Washington recorded in jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, and pop, and was considered a preeminent figure and enormously gifted vocalist in each.

   Dinah Washington died on December 14, 1963, after dominating the charts in the late 1940s and 1950s, and by today's measures would have been considered a tremendous crossover superstar.

  The House, then, resolves that it is the sense of Congress that Dinah Washington should be recognized for her versatility, remarkable musical talent, and for influence on female vocalists in jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, pop, and gospel.

Sponsor: Representative Charles B. Rangel

Vote: Passed House by voice vote.

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost. ##All Rights Reserved TheWeekInCongress.com