Duke Enthroned on U.S. Coin
A U.S. coin now dons the image of true African-American royalty. Edward “Duke” Ellington, who during his illustrious career as a jazz musician and composer penned more than 3,000 songs and won 13 Grammys, became the first Black person to appear by himself on a circulating U.S. coin. Among Ellington’s many classic tunes were such notables as “Satin Doll,” “Perdido” and “Don’t Get Around Much Any More.” His “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” which helped usher in the Swing Era of jazz, appears on the “tails” side of the new D.C. quarter. Ellington died in 1974 at the age of 75. George Washington is on the “heads” side, as is the norm with U.S. quarters. The coin was issued to celebrate Ellington’s birthplace, the District of Columbia. Also on the coin is the phrase “Justice for all.” The Mint rejected the first inscription choice of D.C. voters, which was “taxation without representation,” in protest of the district’s lack of voting representation in Congress.

Democratic Whip Asks Burris to Resign
Saying that he had warned Sen. Roland Burris to steer clear of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich amid news of a potential scandal, Sen. Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, said Tuesday the time has come for Burris to resign. Blagojevich – who has been charged with trying to sell the open Illinois Senate seat that was left vacant when Barack Obama headed to the White House – appointed Burris. The former Illinois comptroller and state attorney general has been lambasted in the media for repeatedly changing his story about circumstances surrounding his appointment. In his latest shocker, he has acknowledged attempting to raise money for the embattled governor.