Pelosi: House won't take up Michael Jackson resolution
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/18/art.pelosihand0618.gi.jpg caption="Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the House will not take up a resolution honoring Michael Jackson."]WASHINGTON (CNN) –The House of Representatives will not take up a resolution honoring the late entertainer Michael Jackson, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday.
Pelosi called Jackson "a great, great performer" and acknowledged there is "lots of sadness." But the speaker said at a press conference that while members could express their sympathy on the House floor, she added "I don't think it's necessary" to pass a resolution.
"A resolution, I think, would open up (debate) to contrary views that are not necessary at this time to be expressed in association with a resolution whose purpose is quite different," Pelosi explained.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, who spoke at the memorial service for Jackson on Tuesday in Los Angeles, has introduced HR 600, "Honoring an American legend and musical icon."
The resolution states, "Whereas Michael Jackson was not only an accomplished recording and performing artist, he was a noted humanitarian."
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., criticized the media's extensive coverage of Michael Jackson's death earlier this week, calling Jackson a "pervert," a "pedophile," and "child molester."
Nancy I stand behind you on alot of things, but not on this. Congress should vote on this resolution. I'm not saying this because I'm a huge MJ fan, but because he was a huge HUMANITARIAN on behalf of this country not to mention an American icon. It says alot when you're cited in the Guiness Book of World Records for being the most CHARITABLE person. As Congresswomen Lee stated, "facts are facts."
If there's a resolution for Jackson then I want one for Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, et. al.
Good – now stop the time-wasting BCS crap that is being bantered around. DO SOMETHING FOR THE COUNTRY - NOT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. Also, foreign resolutions do NOT do anything but waste time.
QUIT WASTING OUR TIME – WE PAY YOU TO WORK FOR US !!!!
This is the only good decision Nancy Pelosi has ever made...congratulations
Please CNN, stop talking about Michael Jackson or you will lose one more viewer
Any why exactly are we tying up congress for this crap. So what, an entertainer died. Move on to the business of governing this great country!
you're kidding, right? what a joke.
The House has far more pressing matters to attend to than the death of a celebrity. This is not a government matter! Michael Jackson will be remembered forever regardless of whether or not the government makes any kind of an official gesture - it's time to let him rest in peace and stop making a spectacle of it.
What?? And miss an opportunity to pander to the 'bread and circus' vote?
There is no need for it, why waste the time. Pelosi needs to take responsibility for her lying about water boarding.
I'm very disappointed that Pelosi allowed outside pressure to cause her to step back from this very minor gesture that is done every day on the Floor. As the days have come and gone, events surrounding Jackson are gaining more clarity, and its starting to look like his accusers are the evil ones here.
Everyone who has ridiculed him for his skin should be ashamed. Turns out he was telling the truth all along.
As the Spendthrift-in-Chief of the so-called "stimulus" travesty, Nancy Pelosi has cost the US $3,214,869.28–that's over 3 million dollars–for every minute of the existence of the present administration. Just think of the $192,892,156.86–that's 193 million dollars–it would have saved the country if she'd spent an hour debating Michael Jackson rather than looking for more outrageous new ways to ruin the country's economy.
That is the first SANE thing that Pelosi has said in YEARS!!!!
finally, something that Nancy has said makes sense
I guess the House is not the House of all people! It should be voted on...that's democracy!
I can't believe I actually agree with this bumbling idiot!!!
Finally, Pelosi's actaully saying something worth listening to!
I am a huge Michael Jackson fan and even I thought that was a bit ridiculous. That is just totally not necessary. I think it is time we let MJ rest and let the family heal. Let's move on. Death is the one thing that is guaranteed in life. He was human like everyone else and he was born to die. Now let him RIP.
I don't often agree with Pelosi (despite the fact that I'm a Democrat) but on this I agree with her 100%
I knew this was going to happen...
The United States Govt. has never been willing to honor African Americans without putting up some sort of resistence. There is always some sort of problem or excuse.
That's okay...It's no problem...Michael Jackson is still the greatest performer the world has ever seen...and we don't need no stinking congressional resolution to know that.
And let's be honest. They are not taking up the resolution because they are afraid of what a republican might say.
The people of America know that the G No P is irrelevent, but somebody forgot to tell the Democrats
FINALLY! a voice of reason, he is dead, let it go already.
I think it makes sense not to pass a resolution. There are so many important things that Congress fails to get around to, why waste their time with this? It's not the federal government's responsibility to mourn the loss of former pop stars.
Thank You
A resolution is not that difficult unless more people have Peter King's mindset.
This great entertainer can be quickly remembered for his children's sake, Speaker.
Geez, why don't we just make him into a saint?
Jackson is not a saint like Elvis...........