Blog - The Michael Jackson Resolution 
The Michael Jackson Resolution
July 6, 2009 - by Donny Shaw
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18] has proposed a resolution in Congress in honor of the life and work of Michael Jackson. It’s extremely long; about three or four times the length of a “typical” resolution, and focuses heavily on his role as a humanitarian.
You can read the full resolution at this link, or below. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs the same day it was introduced. No word yet on when, or if, this resolution will be voted on by the House.
H. Res. 600 – A tribute to 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;
(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.
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Displaying 31-60 of 60 total comments.
Did Farrah Fawcett donate over $50 million dollars and leave 20% of her multi-million dollar estate?
Didn't think so. If it weren't MJ, you would want to honor this person.
As for MJ donating 20% of his estate (to charity?) you can't bequeath debt. Farrah Fawcett was as much an icon as MJ the only difference is the racist blacks in this country embrace anyone who ever made something of themselves despite their atrocious behavior. OJ Simpson anyone?
i'm very upset to hear that the city of calafornia wants people to donate monet to pay for mj funeral too bad i can not use profanity because i am tempted, mj was in debt and continues to out people in dept i know he was a good man but financially he was an idiot, pay for your own funeral dirtbag. And stop trying to make money off a dead man you blood suckers, to his father joe you an ahole!!!!!!!!!!!!
the Jackson's did pay for his funeral. City costs are city costs whether its for security for the olympics or security for a memorial held in the staples center.
Racists blacks??? Sounds more like a racist white person making that comment. Most blacks thought OJ was guilty. Check your facts before making outlandishly, biased statements.
I cannot judge whether MJ was innocent or guilty of his "alleged" crimes against children but he will be judged very soon by a judge and jury that will hand down the ultimate punishment if he is guilty. I was molested as a child, and this situation is just one more reason why innocent children do not tell because their accused are made out to look like victims and the innocence of a child is the price that is paid. Innocent or guilty.....may God have mercy on your soul Michael.
Your situation is truth. MJ's accuser was looking for money...both of them. They went to a lawyer before going to police. They found the same lawyer that force Mj to settle out of court in 93, and they were known for trying to seek celebrities money including jay leno.
The first accuser recently admitted the whole thing was a lie and about money. In years to come, the 2005 accuser will admit the same thing.
Real abusers don't want money, they want reparation. They want to see the person in jail or dead. Would you really settle for money? Can that really heal your situation? This was not a real case of abuse.
If you had any common sense you would KNOW he was innocent
Amen!!!
What is it with people and MJ's past??? Weither you like his music or not the guy has been cleared for lack of proof. If it was about a teacher, plumber or accountant the justice system would be trusted. So what? Did he HAVE to be guilty because he was successful? The truth is the reason why you think he got out of it is probably the same why he was accused in the first place: MONEY. So just move on and, unless you have information that the rest of the world doesn't know about, stop the the hatred and show a little respect for the family and fans in grief.
MJ was cleared because of the lack of credibility of the accusers.
He is with God now and yall cant hurt him anymore,HAHAHAHAHAHAHA,So there!
I support Congresswoman Jackson-Lee's resolution. The entire world was represented today for Michael's memorial. If you believe he was guilty that's your right, but by the way, you are wrong. The work that he has done, and the work that will be done on his behalf in the future, is staggering, and needs to be acknowledged. Michael never did anything other than good.
Hope you knew him really personally!! Course if that is the case you may be blinded simply by your closeness to him. We as mere humans have no way of knowing the absolute truth of ANYONE elses life not even those that we know intimately!!!!
People talk the loudest behind a moniter!!!! MJ was cleared of the child molestion charges because he never molested any kids. For the folks still hollering that he was need to join reality, again he was CLEARED!!! Also i wouldn't be too happy that he died, for you day is coming too and then we will see just how many people remember you when you pass away. Something to think about!!!
Yeah right and OJ really didn't kill his wife! The person who needs to wake up is you!
And um...you have some real issues if what you are worried about is who will remember you. Frankly, I don't care the only one I want to make happy is my Lord and Savior!!
You folks always complaining at the websites and television stations that's covering Micheal Jackson related news. If you don't want to read about it then stay the hell off the sites and change your television channels.
Only God can Judge, and now Michael is an Angel free from this all, leaving his wonderful music behind to continue to fill our hearts with Happiness. RIP Michael Jackson, and Thank You for always putting happiness into my world and to others with your incredible music and talent. I am so happy you are being named the Humanitarian that you were. <3
Please have some respect for a man who has died! Michael Jackson was a compassionate human being and deserves better to be talked about like dog. I bet some of you same people have his cd's in your homes. There is nothing wrong with recognizing the good things that he has done. Ask yourself...What have I done for anyone lately? Mike, you will be missed and my condolences to your family.
Michael Jackson was cleared of charges that were filed against him. The very law that used to charge him also states that one who is accused is innocent until proven guilty. That once acquitted, One would be free and cleared. The Word says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Now with that being said this resolution should move forward without being disputed for there are no founded grounds for dismissal. I am happy and proud that the resolution was written.
Here is my letter to my representative:
Please do not spend one minute on discussion and voting of the resolution proposed by Ms. Lee of Texas regarding Michael Jackson.
Please spend your time governing. Let the media, the fans, Hollywood, etc. spend their time and resources on honoring Michael Jackson as they desire. It is not the place of government to do so.
I am sure Michael Jackson did many philanthropic things, but there are countless others whose names we do not even know because they are Philanthropists...just as deserving as Michael Jackson. In fact, I would not doubt that there are others more deserving as "humanitarians" of a congressional resolution - in terms of both time and money.
Thank you for the time, energy, and desire you have to serve this country!
Not surprising coming from TEXAS! Do you have your confederate flag hanging up too? WOW!
First let me say that I am a Michael Jackson fan, but to waste this much legislative time and money for a resolution such as this is insane. We have SO MANY more important issues to resolve. Please give it up and move on to other issues.
Not a true MJ fan...
wow! with all the important issues at hand it just makes all the sense in the world to wast time with this crap.
ms. Lee you are an idiot
Don't they have more important work to be doing??
"Whereas Michael Jackson was labeled ‘The King of Pop’, Jackson’s music is internationally recognized and critically acclaimed;"
Didn't Michael Jackson label himself 'The King of Pop'???
This is what our politicians spend time doing...writing a resolution such as this. Pay your respects, but, really, a resolution?!
how many of you think O.J. didn't do it either.
Moderated Comment
If you love MJ fine, if not, that's fine as well. Let Hollywood honor their own. We elect members of congress to deal with important issues of government. MJ is not one of these issues. It just goes to show how simple minded Americans have become. Many of our own people are homeless and going hungry and congress is worried about a dead singer. And then there are those of you who defend congress' irresponsible behavior. By the way, if MJ was as great as some of you think he was, I am sure he would agree. Time and money are better spent elsewhere. All resources are truly finite.
janon