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HONORING MELISSA ARNETTE ``MISSY'' ELLIOTT ON THE DEDICATION OF MISSY
ELLIOTT BOULEVARD IN PORTSMOUTH, VA
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HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 14, 2022
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a living icon, Missy Elliott, for her groundbreaking music career and her contributions to the Hampton Roads community. To pay tribute to her remarkable accomplishments, her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia will dedicate ``Missy Elliott Boulevard'' in her honor on Monday, October 17, 2022.
As a student at Manor High School, previously known as Woodrow Wilson High School, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Missy excelled in academics and developed an affinity for music. While a student at Manor, she formed an all-female rhythm and blues group, ``Sista,'' with three fellow Portsmouth natives and her childhood friend, Timbaland.
Even in the early stages of her career, Missy was a trailblazer. Instead of signing with a major record label, as was common with recording artists in that era, she retained her creative independence by founding her own record label, The Goldmind, Inc. Her music career quickly skyrocketed because of her exceptional songwriting and signature production style alongside her frequent collaborator, Timbaland. Missy became a cultural phenomenon because of the artistry of her music videos. The creativity she displayed in the iconic videos
``SUPA DUPA Fly'' and ``Work It'' revolutionized how artists expressed themselves. Missy has also been an advocate for female empowerment in the music industry, and she is credited for being a pioneer in championing body positivity.
Over the course of her career, Missy Elliott has earned a plethora of accolades, including four GRAMMY Awards, six studio albums that are Recording Industry Association of America platinum-certified, and countless numbers of BET, NAACP and Soul Train awards. In 2019, Missy became the first female hip hop artist to receive the MTV Video Music Award's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award; she was the first female hip hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and she was the first hip hop artist to earn an honorary Doctor of Music from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Missy's impact continues to be felt in today's popular music. She has been credited as an influence on other superstar artists, such as Beyonce, Ciara, Pharrell, and the late Aaliyah.
Despite becoming a global superstar, Missy Elliott has never forgotten her Virginia roots. She has contributed to the education of students in Hampton Roads by donating to her high school alma mater, and through a Hampton University scholarship fund from her foundation. The latter donation supports the Atlanta Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association and funds scholarships, as well as tuition and fees for students at Hampton University.
Madam Speaker, as Missy's family, friends, fans, and supporters gather for the dedication of ``Missy Elliott Boulevard,'' I join them in congratulating Missy Elliott and thank her for all she has done for the City of Portsmouth, Hampton Roads, and music fans across the globe.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 163(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 163(2)
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