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Petition To Put Ray Charles On The $10 Bill
Web Page ^ | Derek Trucks?

Posted on 03/07/2005 2:58:19 AM PST by MaxMax

We are signing this petition as an appeal to place the image of Ray Charles on the U.S. Treasury's ten dollar bill. Upon Mr. Charles' recent passing, we are reminded of the impact this great American had on the development of American culture and music.

Known as "The Genius" since the early 1950s, Ray Charles is a founding father of modern rhythm and blues, jazz, rock and gopsel music. In the course of his remarkable life and career, Mr. Charles overcame personal adversity in the forms of blindness, extreme poverty, racial oppression and drug-addiction to become one of the most innovative and respected musicians of the 20th century. In doing so, he embodies the most cherished ideals of the American character: self-reliance, courage and sacrifice.

We credit the position of cultural esteem our country enjoys today to the innovations of artistic visionaries like Ray Charles; and we should recognize him as an exemplar of his profession. Building on the jazz tradition -- America¹s classical music and our greatest contribution to world culture -- Mr. Charles fused all genres of our country¹s roots music -- including blues, gospel, folk and country -- into a recognizable whole; a unique music called "soul." His soul music has proved capable of reaching across class, race, religious and social lines to touch all Americans on an emotional level. His songs "Hit the Road Jack" and "What'd I Say" have become American classics; his rendition of "Georgia On My Mind" has been designated the official State song of Georgia; and his recording of "America the Beautiful" has become a modern hymn, if not the unofficial national anthem of the United States.

Born Ray Charles Robinson on Sept. 23, 1930 in Albany, GA, he was raised in extreme poverty in Greenville, Florida at the height of the Great Depression. Mr. Charles lost his sight at the age of seven, and was sent as a charity case to the Florida State School for the Blind at St. Augustine where he was taught basket weaving and allowed to pursue music. While at the school his mother died, and Charles was orphaned. Soon after, he left the school to pursue a career in music.

From these humble beginnings, Mr. Charles went on to spend more than 50 years in show business. He built a career that defied genre, bringing his soulful voice, keyboard prowess and songwriting and arranging talent to the pop, country and R&B charts. Among his innumerable awards, he has been the recipient of the National Medal of Arts (from President Clinton); the Kennedy Center Honors; membership in the Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame; 12 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Grammy; the NAACP Image Awards' Hall of Fame distinction; and the Commander of Fine Arts and Letters from the French government.

We enthusiastically encourage the United States Treasury to place the image of the incomparable American musician Ray Charles on its ten dollar bill. In conjunction with the Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea dollars, this new bill would show that our country has begun to make a concerted effort to honor Americans of distinction who have lived and worked outside the political realm.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: alexanderhamilton; blues; heroine; jacklew; jazz; junkie; money; nancylindborg; raycharles; stupidideas; twitter
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To: bd476

Gravity's Rainbow is dedicated to Richard Farina.


41 posted on 03/07/2005 5:01:16 AM PST by durasell (Friends are so alarming, My lover's never charming...)
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To: bd476

Been down so long, it looks like up to me.


42 posted on 03/07/2005 5:04:34 AM PST by MAWG (Diversity is where everyone looks different but thinks the same way.)
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To: Central Scrutiniser
If Don Knotts doesn't end up on US Currency, I shall light myself on fire in front of the treasury.

Don't do that, just stamp your feet, hold your breath and threaten to move to Canada.It worked for the dems didn't it?

43 posted on 03/07/2005 5:07:07 AM PST by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Spec.4 Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: Semper Paratus

Hunter T. should get his pic on Chinese coins. You know, the ones with the holes in them.......


44 posted on 03/07/2005 5:09:16 AM PST by Red Badger (The South seceded over refusal to end slavery. Blue states want to secede for the same reason......)
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To: anoldafvet
When was Ray Charles president?

When was Alexander Hamilton president?

45 posted on 03/07/2005 5:10:51 AM PST by KarlInOhio (Blackwell for Governor 2006: hated by the 'Rats, feared by the RINOs.)
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To: MaxMax

I am for Ward Churchill on the indian head penny


46 posted on 03/07/2005 5:14:45 AM PST by DM1
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To: Lazamataz

Honestly. That's why I lost interest in Zappa round about Overnite Sensation, although the Flo and Eddie stuff before that was pretty vile too.


47 posted on 03/07/2005 5:19:05 AM PST by Musket
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To: JennysCool
"Liberace on the $3!"

Heh heh heh...MUD

48 posted on 03/07/2005 5:43:48 AM PST by Mudboy Slim (Sweet FReedom, one taste and you're hooked for life!!)
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To: MaxMax

This is a joke, right?


49 posted on 03/07/2005 5:51:46 AM PST by Publius6961 (The most abundant things in the universe are ignorance, stupidity and hydrogen)
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To: MaxMax
MLK ,Medgar Evers, Jessie Jackson....Maybe


Ray Charles ... ain't gonna happen.
Ray was seen at a Republican get together one time.
50 posted on 03/07/2005 5:54:46 AM PST by WKB (You can half the good and double the bad people say about themselves.)
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To: KarlInOhio

Yes but he's the founder of the Treasury. Dumb idea... give Ray a stamp.


51 posted on 03/07/2005 5:56:26 AM PST by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham

Mimi Farina! AAARRRGGGHHH!


52 posted on 03/07/2005 6:04:19 AM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: KarlInOhio; anoldafvet
When was Ray Charles president?
When was Alexander Hamilton president?

And, When was Ben Franklin president?

53 posted on 03/07/2005 6:22:46 AM PST by Drammach (Freedom; not just a job, it's an adventure..)
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To: WKB

How about Elvis?


54 posted on 03/07/2005 6:25:50 AM PST by seemoAR
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To: Semper Paratus

Dont you think his face is all over enough as it is?


55 posted on 03/07/2005 6:27:29 AM PST by Walkingfeather (q)
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To: LetsRok

Has the phrase "dime bag" got anything to do with this ?


56 posted on 03/07/2005 6:29:41 AM PST by oldbrowser (What really matters is culture, ethos, character, and morality)
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To: GVgirl
Not a fan, I take it?

-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)

57 posted on 03/07/2005 7:11:00 AM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham (Protagoras was the leading SOPHIST of his day. Think about it.)
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To: MaxMax

I want Spinal Tap on the $11 bill.


58 posted on 03/07/2005 7:12:13 AM PST by Sloth (I don't post a lot of the threads you read; I make a lot of the threads you read better.)
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To: JennysCool

How about Rep Barney Frank?


59 posted on 03/07/2005 7:17:41 AM PST by quadrant
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To: MaxMax
John Holmes and several other porn-star's grill should be money because government personnel screws us any chance they can (And we let it happen).
60 posted on 03/07/2005 7:19:28 AM PST by rollo tomasi (Working hard to pay for deadbeats and corrupt politicians)
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