Expressing the sense of Congress that Lionel Hampton should be honored for his contributions to American music.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 63) expressing the sense of Congress that Lionel Hampton should be honored for his contributions to American music.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 63.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support in H. Con. Res. 63, and H. Con. Res. 63 expresses the sense of Congress that Lionel Hampton should be honored for his contributions to American music.

Starting in the 1930s on the vibraphone as a contemporary of Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman, and staying active into the 1990s, Lionel Hampton built one of the towering careers in jazz music. A multi- instrumentalist, Hampton also enjoyed unmatched popularity as a bandleader, showman and social activist.

As a musician his greatest impact was on the vibraphone, becoming the first great jazz improviser on the instrument. Over the years his big band featured some of the best known singers and musicians in jazz history, and it became one of the longest running and commercially successful institutions in jazz. He also recorded extensively in many all-star small group projects at both sideman and leader.

Hampton became one of America's most-beloved musical figures. His astonishing longevity and extroverted personality made him a favorite of everyone from ordinary music fans to world leaders.

Lionel Hampton shattered the racial barriers of his time when he was recruited to perform with the Benny Goodman band in the 1930s, creating for the first time an integrated public face of jazz music

As a composer and arranger, Hampton wrote more than 200 works, including the jazz standards Flying Home, Evil Gal Blues and Midnight Sun. He also composed a major symphonic work, King David Suite.

As a statesman, he was asked by President Eisenhower to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the United States, and his band made many tours in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East, generating a huge international following. President George

Bush, Senior, appointed him to the board of the Kennedy Center, and President Clinton awarded him the National Medal of the Arts.

As a businessman, he established two record labels, his own publishing company, and he founded the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation to build low-income housing in inner cities.

In his continuing role as an educator, he began working with the University of Idaho in the early 1980s to establish his dream for the future of music education. In 1985, the university named its jazz festival for him, and in 1987 the university's music school was named the Lionel Hampton School of Music.

Nearly 20 years later, the University of Idaho has developed an unprecedented relationship with Hampton by ensuring that his vision lives through the Lionel Hampton Center, a $60 million project that will provide a home for jazz, housing the university's jazz festival, its school of music and its international jazz collection, all designed to help teach and preserve the heritage of jazz.

House Concurrent Resolution 63 expresses the sense of Congress that Lionel Hampton should be honored for his contributions to American music and for his work as an ambassador of goodwill and democracy. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time;

Madam Speaker, I encourage everyone to support the resolution. I have no further requests for time, and I also yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as a supporter of H. Con. Res. 63, which honors and recognizes the life of the late Lionel Hampton. This is an honor that is well deserved for a man who dedicated his life not only to the performing arts but also to his community. I want to thank my distinguished colleague Representative Charles Rangel for bringing this bill to the floor and giving appreciation to a truly outstanding human being.

As a jazz musician, Lionel Hampton made a positive impact on the world of jazz, as well as on American culture. Often called one of the greatest jazz musicians of our time, Lionel Hampton also proved outstanding as a composer and band leader. He set new standards for musicians across the world. Being a member of the Benny Goodman band he set a new standard for integration. By gaining mastery of the vibraphone, he set a new standard for jazz. Also known as the ``King of the Vibe,'' Hampton led his own orchestra, which gained popularity and recognition world-wide. Noteworthy musicians and producers like Quincy Jones are products of Lionel Hampton's Orchestra.

Lionel Hampton's work was praised by some of the highest leaders of the land. President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked Hampton to serve as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United States. Years later, President George Bush, Sr. appointed Hampton to the Board of the Kennedy Center, while a few years later President Bill Clinton awarded him the National Medal of the Arts.

An entrepreneur in his own right, Lionel Hampton launched two record labels, a publishing company and the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation. He also partnered with the University of Idaho, which named its School of Music the Lionel Hampton School of Music. And in 2006, the Lionel Hampton Center will be the home for jazz, housing the university's School of Music, the university's jazz festival and its International Jazz Collections.

Lionel Hampton took pride in his home in Harlem, New York, and used his platform and affection for his community to contribute to the development of affordable housing. His own Lionel Hampton Development Corporation led to such developments as the Gladys Hampton Housing project, named for his wife whom he married in 1936. Hampton's efforts in the housing arena should serve as an example to all, as he used his groundbreaking achievements to help others.

Although Lionel Hampton has been deceased for almost 2 years, his music and legacy are alive, thriving and deserving of congressional acknowledgment.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume in order to support this resolution which honors Lionel Hampton.

This talented musician was born in Kentucky in 1908 and was raised in Chicago. He learned to play the drums while in school and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He is most famous for his work with the vibraphone, earning himself the nickname ``the king of vibes.''

In 1930, he joined the Benny Goodman Quartet, making them the first racially integrated group of jazz musicians. He also established the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Sunny Side of the Street, Central Avenue Breakdown, his signature tune, Flying Home and Hamp's Boogie-Woogie all became top-of-the-chart best sellers.

Hampton visited many different countries as a goodwill ambassador for then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

He created the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation in order to build low-income housing in the cities.

Hampton also worked with the University of Idaho to preserve and teach the history of jazz music to future generations.

He died on August 31, 2002.

In closing, it is fitting for Congress to honor Mr. Hampton's contributions to American music, to expanding low-income housing in our Nation's cities and for his work as a goodwill ambassador.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.