Norton Introduces Bill to Rename Post Office for “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to name the post office located at 3401 12th Street NE after musician and singer Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go,” who holds particular significance to D.C. residents for creating and popularizing go-go music and for his support of D.C. statehood.
"As the ‘Godfather of Go-Go,’ Chuck Brown gave D.C. a unique hometown sound that was distinctly our own and brought enjoyment to all who heard him here and throughout the nation," Norton said. "Go-go is the beat of D.C., giving D.C. its own musical identity and reminding the nation that D.C. has always been the hometown of talented artists. We’ll never forget the free concert in 2010 Chuck Brown played in front of the Capitol for D.C. statehood and voting rights. He loved the District, and naming post office after him is a way D.C. can honor him in return.”
Norton’s introductory statement follows.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
on the Introduction of a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3401 12th Street Northeast in Washington,
District of Columbia, as the ‘‘Chuck Brown Post Office’’
June 23, 2025
Today, I introduce a bill to name the post office at 3401 12th Street NE in the District of Columbia for go-go legend Chuck Brown.
Chuck Brown, the “Godfather of Go-Go,” is beloved by D.C. for his innovative and unique sound, which gave us go-go music. Go-go is the beat of D.C., giving D.C. its own musical identity and reminding the nation that D.C. has always been the hometown of talented artists. Chuck Brown was a strong supporter of D.C. statehood, including playing a concert on a hot and humid day on the U.S. Capitol Grounds in 2010 in support of statehood.
Chuck Brown was born on August 22, 1936, and passed away on May 16, 2012. He was a D.C. resident most of his life. He taught himself to play guitar, becoming a virtuoso singer, songwriter, guitarist and band leader. His musical catalogue spanned 22 studio albums over three decades. He earned a Grammy nomination in 2010 for the song “Love” from his album “We Got This,” and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2005.
D.C. named a park located at 2901 20th Street, NE, for Chuck Brown, and named a street near the historic Howard Theater for him.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
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