Pelosi shoots down Jackson resolution

WASHINGTON, July 9 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she will not open up the floor for a vote on a proposed resolution honoring the late recording artist Michael Jackson.

Jackson died June 25 of cardiac arrest after a suspected prescription drug overdose. He was 50.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, told the crowd at Jackson's public memorial service in Los Angeles Tuesday she believes the resolution should be passed to recognize the singer's humanitarian works.

Asked about the proposed resolution at a press conference this week, Pelosi said a vote would be counterproductive because it "would open up two contrary views," USA Today reported.

"Michael Jackson was a great, great performer," the newspaper quoted Pelosi as saying. "Lots of sadness there for many reasons. ... I don't think it is necessary for us to have a resolution."

Along with his career successes, Jackson's apparent obsession with plastic surgery, erratic behavior, legal and financial woes, and alleged prescription drug addiction made him a controversial figure. He also was dogged by child molestation allegations, but was never convicted.