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 bandleader;

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;

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 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 is the official music of the District of Columbia;

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, 2026, is Chuck Brown’s birthday: Now, therefore, be it