[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 894 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 894

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     December 15, 2009.
Whereas, on August 17, 1959, Miles Davis, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, 
        Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, and Julian ``Cannonball'' Adderley 
        collaborated to record the album ``Kind of Blue'';
Whereas ``Kind of Blue'' ranks 12th on the list of the ``500 Greatest Albums of 
        All Time'' published by Rolling Stone magazine;
Whereas ``Kind of Blue'' was recorded in 1959, the year Columbia Records 
        declared ``jazz's greatest year'';
Whereas ``Kind of Blue'' marked the beginning of the mass popularity of jazz in 
        the United States;
Whereas in 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded ``Kind of 
        Blue'' quadruple-platinum status, meaning 4,000,000 copies of the album 
        had been sold;
Whereas in 2002, the Library of Congress added ``Kind of Blue'' to the National 
        Recording Registry;
Whereas ``Kind of Blue'' was recognized as the bestselling record in the history 
        of jazz;
Whereas 50 years after the release of ``Kind of Blue'', MOJO magazine honored 
        the Legacy Edition of the album by giving it the ``Best Catalogue 
        Release of the Year'' award;
Whereas ``Kind of Blue'' both redefined the concept of jazz for musicians and 
        changed the perceptions of jazz held by many fans;
Whereas today, the sole surviving member of the Miles Davis Sextet, Jimmy Cobb, 
        is performing and touring with his So What Band in tribute to the 50th 
        anniversary of ``Kind of Blue''; and
Whereas ``Kind of Blue'' continues to be the standard masterpiece of jazz for 
        American musicians and audiences: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the 50th anniversary of ``Kind of Blue'' and recognizes 
        the unique contribution the album has made to American jazz;
            (2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit 
        enrolled copies of this resolution to Columbia Records;
            (3) encourages the United States Government to take all appropriate 
        steps to preserve and advance the art form of jazz music;
            (4) recommits itself to ensuring that musical artists such as Miles 
        Davis and his Sextet receive fair protection under the copyright laws of 
        the United States for their contributions to culture in the United 
        States; and
            (5) reaffirms the status of jazz as a national treasure.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.