Results: Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 3359)
Published on 09/16/2018
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Comments
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1.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor that Congress can bestow on an individual. The very first one ever bestowed went to none other than George Washington. The Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act [H.R. 6681 + S. 3359] would bestow a posthumous gold medal on the R&B singer who died in August at age 76. Have you heard of this proposed bill?
![The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor that Congress can bestow on an individual. The very first one ever bestowed went to none other than George Washington. The Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act [H.R. 6681 + S. 3359] would bestow a posthumous gold medal on the R&B singer who died in August at age 76. Have you heard of this proposed bill?](https://www.tellwut.com/uploads/media/image/thumb/4025e1537039695o5753.jpg)
Yes
10%
211 votes
No
92%
1981 votes
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2.
The bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI14) on August 24, eight days after Franklin's death. Rep. Lawrence represents Detroit, the home of the Motown musical movement from which Franklin sprung in the 1960s. It was also introduced in the Senate by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA). Here is a list of reasons that are the rationale for the award, check off the ones that you know:
Considered one of the greatest voices in music history
42%
902 votes
Had many #1 hits, like RESPECT, Think, and Chain of Fools
44%
944 votes
She is the #22 best charting music act of all time on the Billboard Hot 100 and notched six top-10 albums.
16%
343 votes
Franklin was a legend whose contributions to American culture
31%
674 votes
Aretha Franklin was soul personified and she gave us the gift of her voice, her truth and her unapologetic passion to demand compassion, love and R-E-S-P-E-C-T for women everywhere
34%
729 votes
Considered to be the Queen of Soul
50%
1089 votes
Not Applicable
32%
697 votes
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3.
Here are some more things that make Aretha Franklin worthy of this award. Check off the ones that you know:
Aretha Franklin's musical talents have influenced generations of musicians and political leaders, creating a legacy that spans an incredible 6 decades
34%
738 votes
Aretha Franklin, dubbed the "Queen of Soul", was the first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was a 2005 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a 1999 recipient of the National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award, among other accolades
35%
751 votes
Aretha Franklin's music served as a 1960s call to action that inspired thousands to join civil rights movements and still resonates across these movements today
28%
611 votes
Aretha Franklin was also a philanthropist who supported causes that advanced civil rights, human health, and gender equality
27%
592 votes
Aretha made countless contributions to the City of Detroit and few people have played a greater role in shaping the culturally and socially relevant discography in the United States than Aretha Franklin
25%
538 votes
Not Applicable
45%
968 votes
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4.
Here are some others who have received this very award. Check off those that you were aware of receiving the award:
George Washington was the first award recipient
23%
492 votes
The first was musician George M. Cohan in 1936, composer of patriotic songs including "You're a Grand Old Flag
9%
202 votes
John Wayne
18%
386 votes
Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schultz
13%
272 votes
Walt Disney
20%
422 votes
Frank Sinatra
14%
301 votes
Not Applicable
59%
1274 votes
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The House bill has 80 bipartisan cosponsors: 67 Democrats and 13 Republicans. It awaits a possible vote in the House Financial Services Committee. The Senate bill has 39 bipartisan cosponsors: 36 Democrats (or Democratic-leaning independents) and three Republicans. It awaits a possible vote in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Should Aretha Franklin receive a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal?
Yes
61%
1329 votes
No
40%
863 votes
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