A RESOLUTION

 

1Honoring the life and career of Joseph "Butter" Tamburro, WDAS
2radio personality, civil rights leader and Philadelphia icon,
3and extending condolences to his family.

4WHEREAS, Joseph "Butter" Tamburro, a husband, father,
5grandfather, friend and icon passed away on July 27, 2012, at 70
6years of age; and

7WHEREAS, Mr. Tamburro, an Italian American from South
8Philadelphia, was born in 1942; and

9WHEREAS, Mr. Tamburro began his career as an advertising
10salesman with WDAS radio in 1964 after a brief stint as an auto
11mechanic; and

12WHEREAS, Mr. Tamburro was given the nickname "Butterball" by
13WDAS Program Director Jimmy Bishop, but became more commonly
14known as "Butter"; and

15WHEREAS, An avid radio listener and admirer of rhythm and
16blues, "Butter" quickly realized his dream and became a part-


1time disc jockey at WDAS, where he hosted the first oldies show
2on African-American radio; and

3WHEREAS, Mr. Tamburro served as the Program Director at WDAS
4for more than 30 years; and

5WHEREAS, "Butter" was well-known for the dance parties he
6hosted at various venues in Philadelphia; and

7WHEREAS, Throughout Mr. Tamburro's career, he received
8several awards and honors from entities like the March of Dimes,
9the Philadelphia Music Alliance, the National Association for
10the Advancement of Colored People, the Black Music Association
11and trade publications such as R&R, Billboard Monitor, Black 
12Radio Exclusive and Gavin Magazine; and

13WHEREAS, Mr. Tamburro was also renowned for his involvement
14in the Civil Rights Movement; and

15WHEREAS, He helped spread the message of equality by offering
16the airwaves to civil rights leaders such as the Reverend Martin
17Luther King, Jr., and Attorney Cecil B. Moore; therefore be it

18RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its
19sadness upon the passing of Joseph "Butter" Tamburro and offer
20its most sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be
21it further

22RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
23the family of Joseph "Butter" Tamburro.