Michael Jackson Resolution Squashed By Pelosi

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.

Lawmakers are free to use House speeches "to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."

A resolution sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, cites some of the singer's charitable acts and proclaims him an American legend, musical icon and world humanitarian.

Even before Pelosi's comments, some Democrats said privately they did not support the resolution and a divisive debate would hurt House efforts to muster the votes for priorities such as health care and climate change.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who posted a video on YouTube calling Michael Jackson a "pervert" and a "pedophile," has pledged to do all he could to block the resolution.

Michael Jackson was acquitted in 2005 of charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy. Those allegations, and his admission that children slept in his bed at his home but nothing sexual occurred, have led some members of Congress to put distance between themselves and any formal honor for the entertainer.

"A resolution, I think, would open up to contrary views to _ that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with a resolution whose purpose is quite different," Pelosi said at a Capitol Hill news conference where she discussed various legislative matters.

Unbowed, Jackson Lee said she will seek support from colleagues who thanked her when she introduced the measure June 26, one day after Michael Jackson died. She said honorary resolutions don't often "pass the next day."

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"On this floor we elevate people and doing that we have to work to tell your story," she said after a House vote. But she would need support from Democratic leadership for the resolution to advance to the full House from the committee where it is now.

When members of the Congressional Black Caucus held a moment of silence in the House after Jackson died June 25, some lawmakers walked out of the chamber.

Jackson Lee has pledged that the resolution, now before the House Foreign Affairs Committee where she is a member, would come to the full House for debate. Such honorary measures normally move quickly from committee to the full House and pass on a voice vote.

But Jackson Lee's resolution was in trouble early. It drew only one co-sponsor, Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., and was not endorsed by other black caucus members.

From the stage at Jackson's memorial Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jackson Lee hoisted a framed copy of the resolution.

___

Associated Press writer Jim Abrams contributed to this report.

Comments

[Itsmyland2]

Good Job Nancy. You have far more important matters to spend time on in Congress. Sqausing this BS was a good idea

[Faithtoo]

Funnny no one was saying that when MJ was going into his pockets to support organizations and charities that the local governments and orginary citizens couldn't or wouldn't. Had this been for Elvis or some other person who has done far less the resolution would have been backed by you and Pelosi.

[walleymr]

i don't remember hearing about his charitable acts

[Patrick McCarthy]

it's pretty lame of you to imply that just because other bloggers here don't support a resolution, their opinions are racially motivated. Open your eyes. The world is falling apart. Our elected officials now more than ever need to focus on resolving countless real and pressing issues. This is simply not one of them. And btw just in case you're wondering, I don't think Elvis or Sinatra should have had resolutions passed on their behalves either. Maybe a resolution that sets up a clear distinction between entertainment and politics, akin to separation of Church and State, is what we need. (After all, celebrities do seem to be held as dieties these days) I love MJ and acknowledge his immense contribution to our collective cultural fabric, but what about the under-the-radar heroes that are making a difference right now: Van Jones, Omar Freilla, Majora Carter, Aqeela Sherrils. Should they not be commended then, too? Hey, how about we pass a resolution for everybody on earth, just for surviving birth. Certainly that wouldn't be discriminatory, but then again such a resolution would be worthless. Being discriminating is a good thing, and is far different from being discriminatory. Get it straight or risk being deemed discriminatory yourself.

[hisphouguy]

I am a democrat from Houston and would like to know who paid for Ms Sheila's Jackson trip to Los Angeles. Congress needs to concentrate on issues affecting the nation and not make accolades for entertainers, let Hollywood do that.....

[WillKC]

Exactly. Opinions on music aside, this is stupid. A waste of time and money, and an embarrassment to Dems with common sense.

[Chuckwheat]

I'm in Houston, too. You & I and the rest of her minions covered the bill on that trip.
I doubt she clocked out and covered it out of her pocket. Why have pockets when ours
stay open

[PoliSci2008]

F the wicked bwitch of the west and her monkey-a$$ co-horts. What happen to innocent until proven guilty? America, white america, doesn't honor it's constiution, treaties, judicial or congressional process!

While alive, MJ was honored by heads of states, including Pres Reagan, many times over. Dr. Klein said that even "Fred Astair(sp) said tha MJ was the Greatest Entertaine­r."

[DennisMM]

He bought off the kid in '93. Never forget that. Never.

[EmeraldWorld]

And the kid and his parents took the money. That says A LOT about them. You don't take money, you get justice for your child and make sure the accused person gets punishment.

[ladyvader]

I'm with you Dennis. Don't forget the Jesus Juice.

[Faithtoo]

I think you have it wrong. MJ didn't buy anyone off. He was innocent. Those bloodsuckers accepted a settlement because they knew it it ever went to trial they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

Michael was vehemently against the settlement­...of that's right you don't remember that...onl­y the accusations.

[wanttruth]

Michael Jackson was following his lawyers' advice! Businesses do the same thing everyday without admitting guilt! Michael Jackson has ALWAYS MAINTAINED HIS INNOCENCE.

[syarbrough]

And you my friend have just been fanned....­....

[elfNW]

Good. Now the House can direct its efforts to some real work. That resolution would have been a waste of the paper to print it on in the Congressional Record.

[rzan1]

Given some of the nasty things that have been said about Michael Jackson on this site, I can understand Pelosi's decison. There would be too much ugliness coming from a certain sector if there were a resolution. I never bought a Michael Jackson record in my life, but I appreciate the person he was and the good he did. We need to stop devaluing artists in our society, especially an artist who has an impact on people for the better, such at Michael Jackson. I bought my first Michael Jackson recording from Amazon two days ago, and I am glad he has been honored by people who knew and loved him.

[DennisMM]

I'm real happy to devalue some artists. Brooks and Dunn, Victoria Jackson, Ted Nugent ...

[jade7243]

Look at it this way, it took the House of Representatives until 2009 to apologize for slavery.

[smile13]

Good one!!!!! xo :)

[PoliSci2008]

u got that right!

[mollymac]

Please stop with the slavery issue. Those who apologized didn't do it and those who were victimized are no longer here. I refuse to even consider an apology to anyone whom I have not harmed.

[nocoward]

" Those who were victimized are no longer here". Look arround you, their descendants are being told to go back to the plantation or back to Africa where they belong. The salvery issues will not stop because it is the reason for all this colour, class and raccial barriers. It is the reason for Michael Jackson eccentricity, starting from his father.

[StillIRise]

As a white woman (I assume), you are still benefiting from the legacy of slavery ... and many African Americans are still suffering from it. We are both heirs of our ancestral past, and you are no more freed of it than I am.

The institution of slavery and all that it implied insinuated itself into the fabric of our nation for more than 300 years.

Slavery ended less than 150 years ago. It was a hundred years later before the Civil Rights Act was passed into legislation. More than 50 years since then, we are still contending with the residues of slavery.

Although neither you nor I lived during the slave era, we are nonetheless both burdened by its enduring legacy on our lives even unto this day, and as such, we are also both accountable.

[ObamAtomic]

Maybe a resolution for Michael wont be possible ,because the *King*(Elvis) got none,
how people dare to pass a Resolution honoring Michael,gosh,that's an insult to Elvis memory.
Just saying.

[rzan1]

I absolutely adored Elvis, but I don't think he did as much to raise the consciousness of people as Michael did.

[ObamAtomic]

Indeed,I agreed!

[Faithtoo]

Elvis and Michael are not even in the same stratosphere. How can you make the comparison?

[DennisMM]

Without Elvis Presley, pop/rock would not have become what it did. His influence cannot be overstated. Jackson was amazing, that cannot reasonably be denied, but don't smear Elvis Presley just because you adore MJ.

For the record, I adore neither of them.

[Tenley]

Um, except Congress and the Senate did pass resolutions recognizing Elvis. And do it all the time, left and right.

[smile13]

Pelosi, King etc....the­y just don't understand the impact Michael Jackson had on the world. I don't think they get it period. They don't understand the impact of artist on people's souls. They touch something deep within our humanity that NO politician could or would EVER understand. That is why 1 billions people cared enough about Michael Jackson to tune into his memorial service. This is why he got more viewers then ANY world leader could ever wish to have. WAKE UP HUMANS!! LOOK DEEP WITHIN YOURSELVE TO SEE WHAT REALLY MATTERS WHILE WE ARE ON THIS EARTH. Michael understood it. He deserves this honor. Pelosi, King etc....hav­e made a HUGE mistake and this will hurt them. xo :)

[DennisMM]

Take a breath, okay? It's just a silly congressional resolution. It's not as if it means anything. And, as the story says, do you really want anti-Jackson people dragging out his closet's skeletons during debate? You know they would, and they'd be right to do so. No one as controversial as Jackson should have awards hung on him from the gov't without some scrutiny.

[RedDogBear]

By all means lets derail debate about the CIA, Healthcare, etc. to have a debate where the Republicans can accuse the democrats of trying to honor a pedophile (not saying its true just what they will say). Republicans would like nothing better.

[Rictracee]

oh well if Michael Jackson was not african american..­.. they would do the resolution­.. this all boils down to race..

[Saysaysay]

LMFAO!!!!

[AustinFrank]

This kind of thing should not be the business of Congress. Period. These frivolous resolutions simply take away from time that ought to be spent on issues like fixing healthcare and the economy. And when the legislative session is over, the same people who sponsored frivolous resolutions will complain that there wasn't enough time to accomplish everything.

[ladyvader]

So true, so true.

[bison1]

Resolutions are passed all the time!

[DennisMM]

Don't be silly. If he was white, and accused twice (even though not convicted) of sexual abuse, and lived his live like a carnival, he'd still be under scrutiny. Half of what Pelosi said is that they don't want slurs flying around the chamber during debate. In that, she is wise.

[RedDogBear]

Take another look at recent pictures of him and at his kids. You really believe he was a great african american hero when he worked so hard to look white?

[DennisMM]

He was not well, mentally and physically, unfortunately.

[CurtisEMayle]

Willful ignorance.

[montecarlo408]

Those things are passed every day, and often for people with almost no accomplishments, or for friends of Congressmen or Senators. Remember the Michael Moore film where they were dedicating a day to marshmallow candies? Yet they have a problem with this?

The whole lot of Congress are hypocrites.

[americanrevolution]

The whole lot of Con-gress, and most people....­...

[rzan1]

He gave so much. Couldn't they have honored himfor his contributions to charity, over $300,000,000 dollars by some estimates? They are just afraid of the reaction from the forces of evil.

[nocoward]

I BET THEY WANT HIS ESTATE TO STILL CONTRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE CHARITIES.

[wanttruth]

Well said.

[Azmom]

good.

[hannabell]

First sensible thing Nancy has done in a long time.

[ObamAtomic]

HAHA!
Get back under your rock.