Congresswoman Laura Richardson Rises to Recognize the Life of Whitney Houston

Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep sadness and heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to Whitney Houston, a woman whose extraordinary voice touched the heart of America.

Ms. Houston died on Saturday, February 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills. She was 48 years old.

Ms. Houston's musical career began in 1985, when her debut album, Whitney Houston, was released and she became an instant musical sensation. She produced some of the most memorable music of her generation, including her signature hit, ''I Will Always Love You.''

Whitney Houston was one of the biggest names in the music industry and her accomplishments as a singer are many. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act of all time. Her awards include two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards in her lifetime. Houston was also one of the world's bestselling music artists, having sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide.

She will always be remembered as one of the greatest voices who ever graced the Earth. To have heard the voice of Whitney Houston was to have witnessed singing perfection. My heart goes out to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and all of her family and friends who are mourning the loss of this remarkable woman.

Mr. Speaker, where do broken hearts go? Millions of hearts broke at the news that with her passing, we lost one of the greatest gifts of all; the pure joy we felt whenever Whitney sang one of those songs that made us get up and want to dance with somebody.

Yes, we almost had it all. Whitney Houston left us too soon, but her remarkable voice will live in our hearts as one moment in time we will never forget.

I request a moment of silence in her honor and memory.