Democratic Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas reminded people today at Michael Jackson's memorial service that in this country a person is innocent until proven guilty. She mentioned that Congress had paused for a moment of silence on the day Michael Jackson died. And, she mentioned (showing a framed copy) that she has introduced in the House of Representatives House Resolution 600. The text of the resolution follows.
111th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. RES. 600
Honoring an American legend and musical icon.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 26, 2009
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself and Ms. WATSON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
RESOLUTION
Honoring an American legend and musical icon.
Whereas Michael Jackson was not only an accomplished recording and performing artist, he was a noted humanitarian;
Whereas Michael Jackson began his stellar recording career as the featured member of `The Jackson 5', which was the first act in recorded history to have their first four major label singles `I Want You Back',`ABC',`The Love You Save', and `I'll Be There', reached the top of the American charts;
Whereas the internationally recognized `Thriller' released in 1982, which became a smash hit yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide. It was a monumental moment in music history;
Whereas Michael Jackson was labeled `The King of Pop', Jackson's music is internationally recognized and critically acclaimed;
Whereas Michael Jackson was one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice;
Whereas in the early 1980s, Michael Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as `Beat It', `Billie Jean' and `Thriller'--widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form--helped bring the relatively new channel to fame;
Whereas, on January 10, 1984, Michael Jackson visited the unit for burn victims at Brotman-Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, and demonstrated his concern with people suffering from grievous injuries;
Whereas, on April 9, 1984, David Smithee, a 14-year-old boy suffering from cystic fibroses was invited to Michael's home, in response to a dying request to meet Michael. David passed away 7 weeks later;
Whereas, on April 14, 1984, Michael Jackson was single handedly responsible for equipping a 19-bed-unit at Mount Sinai New York Medical Center. This center is now a critical part of the T.J. Martell Foundation for leukemia and cancer research;
Whereas, on July 5, 1984, during the Jackson's press conference at Tavern On The Green, Michael announced that his portion of the earnings from the Victory Tour would be donated to three charitable organizations: The United Negro College Fund, Camp Good Times, and the T.J. Martell Foundation;
Whereas, on July 14, 1984, after the first concert of the Victory Tour, Michael met 8 terminally ill children backstage;
Whereas, on December 13, 1984, Michael visited the Brotman Memorial Hospital, where he had been treated when he was burned during the producing of a Pepsi commercial. He subsequently donated all the money he received from Pepsi, $1.5 million, to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children;
Whereas, on January 28, 1985 Michael and 44 other artists met to record `We Are The World', written by Michael and Lionel Ritchie, a project devoted to fighting global hunger. The proceeds of this record were donated to the starving people in Africa;
Whereas in 1986, Michael set up the `Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund'. This $1.5 million fund is aimed toward assisting students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a UNCF member college or university;
Whereas, on February 28, 1986, after having had a heart-transplant, 14-year-old Donna Ashlock from California received a call from Michael Jackson. He had heard that she was a fan. Michael invited Donna to his home following her recovery;
Whereas, on September 13, 1987, Michael supported a campaign against racism. He made every effort to publicly support NAACP, in the fight against discrimination of African-American artists;
Whereas in October 1987, at the end of his `Bad Tour', Michael donated personal items to UNESCO for a charitable auction. The proceeds of his donation were allocated for the education of children in developing countries;
Whereas, on February 1, 1988 The Song `Man In the Mirror' entered the charts. The proceeds from the sales of this record went directly and exclusively to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who suffer from Cancer;
Whereas, on March 1, 1988, at a press conference held by his sponsor Pepsi, Michael presented a $600,000 check to the United Negro College Fund;
Whereas on April 1988, Michael Jackson ensured that free tickets to three concerts in Atlanta, Georgia, were specifically set aside for the Make a Wish Foundation;
Whereas, on May 22, 1988, Michael visited cancer-stricken children in the Bambini-Gesu Children's Hospital in Rome. He signed autographs and gave away sweets and records to the young patients. He also announced his monetary donation of 100,000 pounds to the hospital;
Whereas, on July 16, 1988, Michael met the Prince of Wales and his wife Diana, where he donated 150,000 pounds for the Prince's Trust, and a check of 100,000 pounds for the children's hospital at Great Ormond Street;
Whereas, on July 20, 1988, Michael visited terminally ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. At a unit for less critical patients he stayed longer and to engage in story telling time with the children;
Whereas, on August 29, 1988, at his 30th birthday Michael performed a concert in Leeds, England, for the English charity organization `Give For Life', an organization designed as an immunization charity for children. Michael presented a check for 65,000 pounds;
Whereas on January 1989, the proceeds of one of Michael's shows in Los Angeles were donated to Childhelp USA, the biggest charity organization against child abuse. In appreciation of the contributions of Michael, Childhelp of Southern California founded the `Michael Jackson International Institute for Research On Child Abuse';
Whereas, on January 10, 1989, upon the winding down of his `Bad Tour', Michael Jackson donated tickets for each concert to underprivileged children, and made contributions to hospitals, orphanages and charity organizations throughout each stop on his tour;
Whereas, on February 7, 1989, Michael visited the Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California, a site of playground violence where 5 children had been tragically killed and 39 had been wounded;
Whereas, on March 5, 1989, Michael invited 200 underprivileged children of the St. Vincent Institute for Handicapped Children and of the organization Big Brothers and Big Sisters to the Circus Vargas in Santa Barbara. Following the event, the children were invited to his ranch to visit his private Zoo at Neverland Ranch;
Whereas in December 1991, Michael's office MJJ Productions donated more than 200 turkey dinners to needy families in Los Angeles;
Whereas in February 1992, within 11 days Michael covered 30,000 miles in Africa, to visit hospitals, orphanages, schools, churches, and institutions for mentally handicapped children;
Whereas, on February 3, 1992, at a press conference at the New York Radio City Music Hall, Michael announced that he is planning a new world tour, to raise funds for his new `Heal The World' Foundation. This Foundation was designed to support the fight against AIDS, Juvenile Diabetes, the Ronald McDonald Camp, and the Make A Wish Foundation;
Whereas, on May 6, 1992, Michael defrayed the funeral expenses for Ramon Sanchez, who was killed during the Los Angeles riots;
Whereas, on June 26, 1992, Michael presented the Mayor of Munich, Mr. Kronawitter, with a 40,000 DM check for the needy people of the city;
Whereas on July 1992, Michael donated 821,477,296 Lire to La Partita del Cuore (The Heart Match) in Rome and donated 120,000 DM to children's charities in Estonia and Latvia;
Whereas, on July 25, 1992, at his concert in Dublin, Ireland, Michael announced that he will give 400,000 pounds of the tour earnings to various charities;
Whereas in June 1993, Michael announced a donation of $1.25 million for children suffering as a result of the riots in Los Angeles;
Whereas on October 1993, Michael Jackson donated $100,000 to the Children's Defense Fund, the Children's Diabetes Foundation, the Atlanta Project, and the Boys and Girl Clubs of Newark, New Jersey;
Whereas on December 1993, in conjunction with the Gorbachev Foundation, Michael Jackson airlifted 60,000 doses of children's vaccines to Tblisi, Georgia;
Whereas in 1994, Michael donated $500,000 to Elizabeth Taylor's AIDS Foundation;
Whereas, on October 1, 1996, Michael donated the proceeds of his Tunisia concert to `The National Solidarity Fund', a charity dedicated to fighting poverty;
Whereas, on December 9, 1996, during the `History Tour' visit in Manila, Michael visited a Children's Hospital, where he announced that a portion of his concert earnings will be donated to the renovation of the Hospital;
Whereas the Millennium Issue of the `Guinness Book Of Records' named Michael as `the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations';
Whereas in 2004, The African Ambassadors' Spouses Association, honored Michael Jackson for his worldwide humanitarian efforts, due to his fiscal contribution of more than $50 million to various charities, including many organizations that feed the hungry in Africa; and
Whereas we today mourn with and send our condolences to the children that Michael Jackson left behind: Prince Michael, Paris Michael, and Prince Michael II and his mother, father, brothers, and sisters: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes Michael Jackson as a global humanitarian and a noted leader in the fight against worldwide hunger and medical crises; and
(2) celebrates Michael Jackson as an accomplished contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment, scientific advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and global food security.
Comments
He would have left his name behind anyway, And this is the kind of guy kids should be learning about in History lessons, as well as Music...
The memorial has settled me down, i miss him
What about all the other humanitarians who aren;t rich and famous? And all the soldiers who were killed in battle protecting our country? Where is their resolution? Congress should not be wasting their time with this. There are bigger, more important things going on in the country.
An exemplary performer. This award is just!
'enough' needs to quit hating. 'take a look in the mirror and make a change' GO MIKE RIP and i'm glad they did that, congress. long live THE REAL KING
I agree with enough. I've heard all I can stand about Michael Jackson. Yes, he was a contributor to his "causes", and so he was, and so he could afford it. It is expected of those who have been blessed with wealth, and certainly he is not the only one to help with certain interest causes. But, to raise him above so many other generous givers is wrong, and moreover, an insult to those others. I can just about guarantee that if Michael Jackson was a "white" person, this "resolution" would have NEVER come to pass, as it would have been "indulgent white supreme banter".
If "enough" is one of those many humanitarians that he complains aren't getting recognition, fair enough. If not, maybe he should shut up. As for "More than enough" - expected?
Well, it is a FACT that no rich person has supported more charities than Michael Jackson. And I don't see any other star visiting hospitals and such in EVERY town he does a concert in. And if YOU don't give your money to charity in an extent even close to what he did, then shut up. Yes, he was super-rich (or super-broke, depending who you ask). But even so. Giving $20mil here and there is no small thing. He bought a house for $17 and gave several times that amount to charity in ONE YEAR. Do you own a house? Did you give even a tenth of what you paid for it to charity? No? Then STFU!
Sorry, typo. He bought a house for $17mil.
He was an great entertainer and humanitarian who probably abused children and got away with it. You guys want to turn him into a religion. It's nuts.
Isnt it such a shame that there ALWAYS have to be people that have to bad mouth others. MJ did an insurmountable amount of work for the world over from the goodness of his heart - not cos he was rich and was expected to by the likes of "More than Enough". He was what he was and was unjustly accused for so much. God rest his soul cos he is with the angels where he belongs. To those of you who have nothing good to say about him go find something better to do than waste time bad mouthing MJ. He was more of a human than you could ever be!!! Non of you walked his shoes to understand the depths of him pain hence the ever changing looks he had over the years. That was his way of dealing with it. At the end of the day he was a human being who loved and deserved to be loved back. May God heal his family and may MJ's spirit guide his children through their years ahead. I am sure he will. RIP MJ - you were truly the King of Pop and more. Let those with bad words have their dues!!
congressman Pete King should look deep before you leap.and more than enought should take that peck a wood personality and sell it to the kkk on ebay.
MJ was too good for this wicked world, even the Messiah was criticized and in the long run crucified.
MJ did much to be reckon with.
We miss him a great deal!!!
We are in the midst of a awful economic time and this congressman wants to wast time writing this bullshit legislation. This person needs to be voted out of office!
I agree. Shelia Jackson Lee is the worst Represenative that Houston or this Country has ever had in office.
Are they crazy!!!!! Don't they have better things to do!!! Honoring someone who was a child molester and had needle marks all over his body??? And she wants to honor him???
Who votes for these people anyway???
Please never ever compare Michael Jackson to the "Messiah" thanks.
I hope Ms Jackson's voters realize the waste of their tax dollars that they put in office.
And to awesome "And this is the kind of guy kids should be learning about in History" if my kids are ever taught a thing about him it will be that stardom should not put you above the law. He should have been in jail when he died.
Too bad MJ never accepted Christ's payment for sin and His gift of Salvation. It's sad to see cults deceive it's followers. Today, MJ is probably burning in hell with other child molesters and pedophiles.
Hey Congress!!!
Knock off the tomfoolery and get back to work!! Good greif- our country is being lead by a ship of fools. If I did my job the way they do theirs, I would've been fired a long time ago.
This is what is wrong with this country. Let's celebrate this turd while unsung hero's died the same day and get no acknowledgement for their sacrifice. Get ready for taxes and socialism....then revolution
What a waste of taxpayer dollars to shore up the Staples Center (think about the cost in police alone) not to mention all the productive down time for the masses as well as the politicians coming up with this piece of crap bill!... He has cost us enough and been a real drag on society. Glad to see the goof ball (MJ) go!... He trashed our tv with his incessent vulgar moves, and he trashed the population starting with kids I am sure he molested. What a fruit cake.. Trying to look like Diana Ross...Go figure. Overall this is guy took us all to the cleaners and now wants recognition from the other goofballs in congress!...
GOOD RIDDANCE
mj was human just like everyone else... he wasnt perfect. everyone has an opinion, good or bad it doesnt really matter... some people need to get a life and look in the mirror before they speak. he had what he had cos he earned it. we shouldnt condon him for becoming who he became. people that become rich and famous will always be "marked" one way or the other. and people will always want something out of them. sue him for this,that or the other. and its really crazy that its going on , not just with the rich and famous, but us regular people too. you dont hear about it cause we are not popular.. stop with the "HATE"... treat people like you would like to be treated!! and let the dead RIP... what ever we have to say REALLY doesnt matter anyway, it is what it is.
MJ was a generous man that cared about the world and the people that was in it. he deserves the resolution because there is noone who has done as much as micheal jackson has done for the world.he is a caring people who has his flaws and we all have flaws so we shouldnt judge people, everybody isnt perfect but we have to think about the good things that he did and accomplished while he was alive, he cant be compared to Jesus because Jesus was the one who created him and none can be compared to the our Lord but he was loved all over the world. may God continue to bless him and his family and stay with his children and they shall live through their father's legacy. R.I.P MICHEAL JOE JACKSON. you are missed and you are alive through your music and accomplishments. There will never be another MICHEAL JACKSON neva.....
so peter king shld mind his own business and shut up because he is not even in the congress and he is over here popping nonsense, everybody is innocent until proven guilty and micheal was innocent all the way....
C'mon w/ the hate ppl. MJ was a human being and the last time I checked we have our flaws and imperfections, but he made difference in more ppl's lives than a lot of ppl have and a lot of his charity work was not publicized. Let MJ rest in peace and enjoy his music and let God be the judge.
For those of you that keep calling him a child molester...let's not forget he was acquitted. I have to believe that the justice system worked. If we don't believe, then there's no hope for the rest of us. I'm sure if you were ever on trial for something you didn't do, you'd want justice...and you would everyone to stop treating you like you were found guilty. Let's try putting that shoe on the other foot and see how far you'd get. Finally, let he without sin cast the first stone.
You have to be joking. congress has more important things to do in this country than write bills over a pop singer. There have been many other importanat people in the past that have had less baggage than Mr. Jackson and I didn't see any politician running out to pass a bill in thier memory. Maybe thats part of the promblem with to days culture,you all have to told how important you are. Bill O'Rielly was right in his commentary. A word to hollywood and the rest of the Kool AID followers get over yourselves the rest of us in country will real quick like!
all i can say is that only God can judge people and to those of you who r calling names and putting down Michael or anyone else stop and think about what you are doing. Remember treat others as you wish to be treated. Only God, Michael, and the children really know what happened. Please people let him rest in peace. afterall wouldn't you want the same respect for someone that you love. everyone has sinned at one point in their life. let he who is without sin cast the first stone. people just remember that god does love everyone even those of you who are bad mouthing a person whom you have never met nor seen for that matter. Think of his children who are suffering from losing a man who his daughter said herself was the best daddy in the whole world. RIP Michael and may God bless your children the rest of their days.
Since Michael Jackson was cleared of all Criminal Charges, I ask anyone that wishes to complain about this great Honor, to look at the 44 examples of his kindness and ask yourself, could you do any one of them? Not only could he, he did and not just one of them but ALL of them. That is why he is being honored and that is why he deserves it. He did not ask for this honor any more than any Service Member asks for the medals they receive. They too have earned without asking.
We now know what Michael Jackson spent his money on. What have you done or what would you do if you could? He tried to make this World a Better place. As he one said "Can you look in the mirror and make the change?". He did.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson.
And thank you ?
Are we for real people? Our government has better things to do with its time. This man however great and however guilty or innocent should not clog up our government. Have we not spent enough time and money (LA 4 million in expenses for memorial service). How about we waste our time on something like I don't know healthcare, the economy, oh here's a good one taking care of our returning vets who fight for our freedom and safety. Give me a break people.
I am ashamed to be from Texas with her submitting that! The government has more important things to worry about!
How could anyone complain or try to block this. It is true the government does have many other things going on, but there is no reason for this resolution to not pass and it is sad that anyone would be against it. Michael Jackson has touched most our lives, and if you read this resolution you it is obvious that this man cared. This is a democratic government and for the people. Obviously the people love MJ
Obviously there are many people that have nothing better to do with there time then to type hate blogs. Michael Jackson deserves nothing less than the best. RIP Michael Jackson. Too bad that even in death they still wont let up. We all know your in a better place and I am so happy that you don't have to put up with them anymore
I am so sick of people calling MJ a child
molester! He got not guilty on all ten
counts but everyone wants to hang him anyway.
I think he was a great humanitarian and he
should be honored by his country.
A revolution? aaahahaha
I support this resolution. Michael Jackson has done a lot to spread environmental and human welfare awareness with his Heal the World Foundation, his Heal L.A., his music (masterpieces that plea for change and healing the world). For people who insist on accusing him of things that he's never convicted of, please open your mind and read all the circumstances and facts first before you open your mouth. He has invited millions of disabled and impoverished kids to his home. He has invited and helped young talents. All of them can testify the true person that he really is - the nicest, caring, loving person. Just because one man accused him (the kid in the first accusation confessed his own lies) should not negate his true character and destroy all that he has worked for - to spread love and change the world for the better. Please let us focus on his legacy as a great artist/entertainer and a humanitarian.
Michael Jackson definitely deserves this. Not everyone can be a soldier. Some of my brothers were and some weren't. Michael worked hard for his money. It was extremely generous of this man to contribute his hard earned money to these charities. It takes everyone to keep this country going, not only the vets. My husband is a vet and my son's in the army. So everyone don't feel the same as you hater's. Thats whats wrong with this country. Michael wasn't a hater and he definitely needs commended for all of generous contributions. You will just have to get over it. God blessed him with his talent and he shared his money with the under priviledged children. He's in heaven now and none of your rude and ignorant comments on here aren't appreciated by anyone. Make that change as Michael says and then maybe your life wouldn't be so miserable. God Bless Michael Jackson and all the Jackson family for giving Michael values. We love all of your family. Rest In Peace Michael, We have your back.
Michael Jackson was a good hearted, warm, loving and caring person with a heart of gold. He deserves this award if anyone does, because of the generosity he has showed to many charities. Thanks for giving it to him. The world would be at a loss if we didn't have people like him. He was blessed and in return he blessed all the children and hospitals alike. To those of you that have all the mean thoughts about him. Stop reading the tabloids, they are 99% lies. Look up the word innocent in your dictionary. He was not strange in any sense of the word. The situations that people like you put him in were what was strange. Education, understanding, patience, hard work, hugh amount of talent and lots of love is what Michael Jackson was made up of. And he shared it all with everyone. He was sent here to be an inspiration to the rest of us. If you got nothing from this man thats really sad. RIP Michael!!!!!!!!!!
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