THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY WATERS, BRADFORD, BISHOP, DeLUCA, CALTAGIRONE, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, V. BROWN, GEIST, COHEN, GINGRICH, GEORGE, HESS, GOODMAN, GODSHALL, HENNESSEY, KIRKLAND, KULA, MAHONEY, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, READSHAW, MANN, McGEEHAN, MILLARD, MIRABITO, PARKER, PASHINSKI, RAVENSTAHL, VEREB, ROEBUCK, SABATINA, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SWANGER, KORTZ AND D. COSTA, MARCH 12, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 12, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Extending condolences upon the death of Donald "Don" Cornelius,

creator of Soul Train.

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives wish to

express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of

Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius, who passed away at 75 years of

age on February 1, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cornelius, affectionately known as "Don," was

born September 27, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, graduated in 1954

from DuSable High School and joined the United States Marine

Corps following his high school graduation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cornelius took a three-month broadcasting course

in 1966 and, to gain field experience, worked as a substitute

disc jockey and in the news department of WVON radio in Chicago;

and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cornelius transitioned to television in 1968,

becoming a sports anchor and host of A Black's View of the News 

on WCIU and, while at WCIU, he developed a positive working

relationship with the station owners and pitched his idea for a

music television program; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cornelius used $400 of his own money to create a

pilot for Soul Train, which, inspired by the popular American 

Bandstand television series, featured teenagers dancing to the

latest soul and R&B music and a performance by a musical guest;

and

WHEREAS, Soul Train premiered August 17, 1970, and George

Johnson of Johnson Products Company helped Mr. Cornelius make

Soul Train a popular national television program; and

WHEREAS, Soul Train became syndicated in 1971 and

Philadelphia was among the first cities to air the program; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cornelius hosted the show, presenting soul, R&B,

rock, jazz and reggae stars to viewing audiences, and coined the

phrase, "Wishing you love, peace and soul," when signing off

each episode; and

WHEREAS, Soul Train became a staple of Saturday mornings for

families across the nation; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Mr. Cornelius relinquished his duties as

host and decided to bring in guest hosts; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Mr. Cornelius extended the franchise with

the addition of the Lady of Soul Awards, which recognize the

outstanding achievements of talented female artists within the

entertainment industry; and

WHEREAS, By 2005, Soul Train was seen in 105 cities across

the nation and had an estimated viewership of 85% among African-

American households; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, after 37 years on the air, Soul Train ended

its reign; and

WHEREAS, Following the end of Soul Train, Mr. Cornelius

developed serious health issues; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cornelius will be remembered as a visionary who

created a musical franchise showcasing African-American music,

culture and style, a timeless expression of the depth of

African-American culture celebrated nationally and globally;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its

sadness upon the passing of Donald "Don" Cornelius and offer its

condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the family of Donald "Don" Cornelius.