August 22, 2025
Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Expressing support for the designation of August 22, 2025, as Chuck Brown Day
, and honoring Chuck Brown’s contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.
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, 2025, is Chuck Brown’s birthday: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives supports the designation of Chuck Brown Day
, and honors Chuck Brown’s contributions to music and to the District of Columbia.