[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10798-H10799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC
Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 27) recognizing the importance
of African-American music to global culture and calling on the people
of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate African-
American music.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 27
Whereas artists, songwriters, producers, engineers,
educators, executives, and other professionals in the music
industry provide inspiration and leadership through their
creation of music, dissemination of educational information,
and financial contributions to charitable and community-based
organizations;
Whereas African-American music is indigenous to the United
States and originates from African genres of music;
Whereas African-American genres of music such as gospel,
blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop have their
roots in the African-American experience;
Whereas African-American music has a pervasive influence on
dance, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, media,
advertisements, and other aspects of culture;
Whereas the prominence of African-American music in the
20th century has reawakened interest in the legacy and
heritage of the art form of African-American music;
Whereas African-American music embodies the strong presence
of, and significant contributions made by, African-Americans
in the music industry and society as a whole;
Whereas the multibillion dollar African-American music
industry contributes greatly to the domestic and worldwide
economy; and
Whereas African-American music has a positive impact on and
broad appeal to diverse groups, both nationally and
internationally: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes the importance of the contributions of
African-American music to global culture and the positive
impact of African-American music on global commerce; and
(2) calls on the people of the United States to take the
opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the majesty,
vitality, and importance of African-American music.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Norwood) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood).
General Leave
Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H. Con. Res. 27.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 27 offered by my
colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah). H. Con. Res.
27 recognizes the unique contributions and importance of African-
American music to American culture and calls on the people of the
United States to study and celebrate our African-American music
heritage.
I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah),
for introducing this resolution. African Americans have had a profound
influence on American music. In fact, in my hometown, Augusta, Georgia,
we can lay claim to more than its great share of African-American
musicians. Both the renowned opera and gospel singer, Jessye Norman and
the godfather of soul himself, James Brown hail from the Augusta area.
Finally, I would also like to point out that the resolution states
that African-American musicians have not only influenced American music
but also have had a profound impact on American culture. This influence
can be seen in dance, language, fashion, and literature.
This resolution rightly recognizes the contributions of African-
American music and its larger effect in shaping much of the social and
cultural and political fabric of our Nation. I urge my colleagues to
vote in favor of it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 27, I rise in strong
support of this resolution. This measure formally recognizes the
importance of African-American music to our culture here in the United
States as well as the global culture.
Through jazz, blues, gospel, rock, rhythm and blues, and hip-hop,
African-American musicians have influenced art, literature, fashion,
dance, and the media. African-American music has contributed
internationally to international commerce as well as adding billions of
dollars each year to the world economy.
Perhaps the greatest impact of African-American music is right here
at home where the expression of beliefs and hopes and struggles and of
triumphs have been woven into the social, cultural, economic, and
political fabric of the United States and has made our Nation unique.
{time} 1745
Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah)
for his leadership in authoring this legislation, and I yield him such
time as he may consume.
(Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I thank both the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Norwood) for his kind remarks and his assistance in bringing this
resolution to the floor and also my colleague who serves with me from
the great State of California. I think it is true that almost
everything that needs to be said about this has been said so I will not
belabor the point.
I do want to thank all of my colleagues, many of whom have
cosponsored this legislation who are on both sides of the aisle, for
this Congress to pause and to reflect on the importance of the
contributions of African-American music to not only this Nation's
culture but to the world as we have on other occasions paused and
reflected on the contributions of country or other types of music. I
think that it is appropriate. I want to thank the leadership of the
House for bringing this resolution to the floor.
I would just say to my colleague from Georgia who talked about
Augusta, Philadelphia has its own history
[[Page H10799]]
and legacy of people who have contributed to our music in this country.
I will not go through that long list because then all of us would take
to the floor and talk about those who may have contributed, but I do
appreciate the pride of which he speaks for those who come from his
great State and from his hometown.
Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fox).
Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Con. Res. 27 and thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me the
time so I can speak in support.
I congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) on this
outstanding resolution. This is a resolution that certainly is timely.
Here we are going to recognize through this resolution the importance
of African-American music to global culture. Whereas African-American
music has in fact been a positive influence, Mr. Speaker, on dance,
fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, media and other aspects of
culture, and the prominence of African-American music in the 20th
century has reawakened interest in the legacy and heritage of the art
form of African-American music. Moreover, it has embodied the strong
presence and significant contributions made by African-Americans in the
music industry and society as a sole. Moreover, the industry
contributes greatly to the domestic and worldwide economy, and as well
those great African-American musicians such as Ray Charles and Ella
Fitzgerald to my hometown area of greater Philadelphia where the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) hails from. We have had our
share of great African-American musicians who have gone on to not only
entertain us here in the United States but across the world. It is to
them that we salute tonight each of these individuals for their joint
and collective contributions.
I hope that those who will hear about this resolution will in fact
find inspiration in the works and will become in fact the new heroes
and heroines of tomorrow in providing for our entire culture the
expansion of entertainment and of musical contribution that makes the
rich culture that we call the United States.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Let me just conclude by saying that our list may be a little short of
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), but we will put Ms.
Norman up against anybody that wants to sing.
I want to just simply urge Members of this body and my colleagues to
vote for this resolution but maybe even more importantly, if they have
never spent a Wednesday night or a Sunday night in an African-American
church and listened to the fabulous gospel music, I urge them to do
that.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boehlert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House
Concurrent Resolution 27.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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