[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2059-E2060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention 
to a milestone that was recently observed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 
On September 21, the Afro-American Music Institute celebrated its 20th 
anniversary.
  The Afro-American Music Institute was established in 1982 by 
ethnomusicologist Dr.

[[Page E2060]]

James T. Johnson, Jr. and his wife Pamela Johnson. Dr. Johnson has been 
the director of the AAMI since its founding, and Mrs. Johnson serves as 
manager of this non-profit organization. They have worked tirelessly 
over the last 20 years to expand and improve the programs offered by 
the AAMI.
  For the past 20 years, the AAMI has trained musicians of all ages and 
backgrounds in jazz, gospel, and blues for voice and instruments. Over 
that period of time, the Afro-American Music Institute has trained 
thousands of students. In addition to vocal and instrumental 
instruction, the AAMI curriculum includes such subjects as directing, 
improvisation, song writing and arrangement, and music theory, as well 
as the technical and managerial aspects of musical performance. The 
AAMI sponsors several musical ensembles, including a youth jazz group, 
a sacred music choir, a boys' choir, and a faculty ensemble.
  The Institute was originally located in St. James AME Church in 
Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood, but in 1992, it incorporated 
and moved to its current location at 7227 Tioga Street. The AAMI has 
plans to relocate to a new building on Hamilton Avenue early next year.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th 
Congressional District, I want to commend Dr. and Mrs. Johnson and the 
faculty and students of the Afro-American Music Institute for their 
educational and cultural contributions to our community and wish them 
continued success in the future.

                          ____________________