H.Res. 337 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 337 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 9, 2013 Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the contributions of musician Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, to music and to the District of Columbia and expressing support for the designation of a Chuck Brown Day. Whereas Chuck Brown is known as the Godfather of Go-Go because he was the chief architect of the musical genre known as go-go, which is a unique mix of funk, soul, and Latin party sounds; Whereas Chuck Brown was 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 Washington, DC, is more than just a government town; Whereas Chuck Brown's musical catalogue includes 22 albums released over a four-decade period; Whereas Chuck Brown's song Bustin' Loose, recorded with his group the Soul Searchers, was the top song on the Billboard Top 100 R&B Chart for four weeks in 1979; Whereas Chuck Brown earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song Love from his album We Got This; Whereas Chuck Brown was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005; Whereas Chuck Brown's go-go beat has been passed to new generations with undiminished popularity; Whereas Chuck Brown has influenced jazz, rap, and go-go musicians, including the bands Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, and Experience Unlimited (also known as E.U.); Whereas Chuck Brown was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away on May 16, 2012, at the age of 75; Whereas Chuck Brown was a resident of the District of Columbia almost his entire life and was committed to securing statehood and equal voting rights for the residents of the District of Columbia; Whereas the District of Columbia has named a street near the Howard Theatre for Chuck Brown; Whereas Chuck Brown is admired for having risen from humble beginnings and overcoming time in prison to become a model leader, devoted father, and family man; and Whereas Chuck Brown brought joy to millions of people through his music and never stopped performing until his death: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the contributions of musician Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, to music and to the District of Columbia; and (2) expresses support for the designation of a Chuck Brown Day.