LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of "Soul Train" founder Donald
Cortez Cornelius

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals of national renown who distinguished
themselves through their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chicago, Illinois, Donald "Don" Cornelius died on
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, After working at various jobs and enlisting in the United
States Marine Corps, Don Cornelius enrolled in a three month broadcast-
ing course in 1966; within the same year he landed a job as an announc-
er, news reporter, and disc jockey on Chicago radio station WVON; and
WHEREAS, Switching to television, Don Cornelius became a sports
anchor, and joined Chicago television station WCIU-TV in 1967; he hosted
a news program called "A Black's View of the News"; and
WHEREAS, Don Cornelius realized that there were little to no tele-
vision venues providing exposure to soul music which inspired him to
embark on an entrepreneurial journey, and launch "Soul Train" in 1970 as
a daily local show; the program entered national syndication and moved
to Los Angeles the following year; and
WHEREAS, Don Cornelius was conducive in offering wider exposure to
black musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jack-
son; he also introduced many famous performers to his television audi-
ence, including Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson; and
WHEREAS, Don Cornelius's creation of "Soul Train" presented an oppor-
tunity for many African-American musicians to reach a larger audience,
and as the popularity of the show increased it became more influential
among African-Americans as well as many others; and
WHEREAS, Don Cornelius will be best remembered as a nationally
renowned American television show host, writer and producer, who was
best known for being the originator of the nationally syndicated
dance/music franchise "Soul Train"; he hosted the show from 1971 to
1993; and
WHEREAS, Don Cornelius was a pioneer in radio and broadcasting provid-
ing great exposure to African-American musicians over the course of
decades; his life-long contributions of entertaining society will indef-
initely withstand the test of time; and
WHEREAS, Don Cornelius is survived by his two sons, Anthony and
Raymond, as well as numerous other family members; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Don Cornelius leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of "Soul Train" founder Donald Cortez Cornelius; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Don Cornelius.