House Resolution 136, sponsored by Parkinson, honors the talented singer Anita Ward, renowned for her iconic 1979 hit "Ring My Bell," which achieved significant commercial success and topped various music charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. A native of Memphis, Ward initially pursued a career in education after earning a degree in psychology before transitioning to music. Despite her initial reluctance to record a disco track, "Ring My Bell" became a historic success, leading to her debut album, *Songs of Love*, reaching impressive chart positions.
The resolution highlights Ward's enduring legacy, including her return to the music scene for notable performances, such as singing "Ring My Bell" in Times Square on New Year's Eve and at the First Ladies of Disco Show in Las Vegas. It acknowledges her contributions to popular music and her status as a beloved artist from Tennessee. The resolution concludes by extending best wishes for her future endeavors and calls for an appropriate copy of the resolution to be prepared for presentation.