[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H10246-H10247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM 
                        ``SINGAMERICA'' PROJECT

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 262) expressing the 
sense of the Congress in support of the National Anthem ``SingAmerica'' 
project.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 262

       Whereas the performance and singing of traditional, 
     patriotic music has served as a vital instrument for the 
     recruitment and retention of members of the armed forces of 
     the United States, has been a catalyst for the development of 
     public support for a common defense policy, and has united 
     Americans of all backgrounds throughout the history of the 
     United States as an inspirational expression of the national 
     purpose of freedom;
       Whereas the national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, 
     holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the American 
     people as a symbol of national unity, resolve, and 
     willingness to sacrifice in order to preserve the nation's 
     sacred heritage of freedom;
       Whereas the members of the MENC: the National Association 
     for Music Education, the officers of the Smithsonian 
     Institution, and the members of the American Sportscasters 
     Association have joined in the National Anthem 
     ``SingAmerica'' project to restore the original Star Spangled 
     Banner flag and to renew national awareness of the patriotic 
     musical traditions of the United States; and
       Whereas this dynamic national initiative promises to 
     invigorate and inspire the American people to have a greater 
     appreciation of their patriotic musical heritage and the 
     preeminent role that heritage has in promoting national 
     defense efforts, motivating public and military service, 
     infusing national pride, encouraging good citizenship 
     practices, and teaching American history: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) commends the MENC: The National Association for Music 
     Education, the Smithsonian Institution, the American 
     Sportscasters Association, and all those involved in the 
     National Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project for their initiative 
     to promote national awareness of the patriotic musical 
     heritage of the United States; and
       (2) urges all Americans to assist, enjoy, and participate 
     in the National Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Turner) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).


                             General Leave

  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 262, introduced by the 
distinguished chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), expresses support for the National 
Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project.
  Mr. Speaker, the ``SingAmerica'' project is an ongoing patriotic 
effort about which most Americans may not be aware. ``SingAmerica'' is 
a collaboration between the Smithsonian National Museum of American 
History and the National Association for Music Education, along with a 
great deal of support from the American Sportscasters Association. The 
project aims to remind all Americans of the importance of our 
magnificent National Anthem.
  The project has begun this fall during the National Football League 
season by encouraging the singing of the National Anthem before all 
games. Other professional sports leagues will also take part in the 
project over the next few years, including the National Basketball 
Association, the Women's National Basketball Association, and Major 
League Baseball.
  The culminating event of the ``SingAmerica'' project will be here in 
Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2006. This event will be called ``A Star 
Spangled Celebration'' and will feature the President and First Lady, 
celebrity musicians, and literally thousands of bands from across the 
country. These artists will join together for the largest performance 
of the National Anthem in history.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman 
Davis), I urge all Americans to enjoy and participate in the National 
Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project. I also urge all Members to support the 
adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 262.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the members of the National Association for Music 
Education, the offices of the Smithsonian Institute, and the members of 
the American Sportscasters Association have joined in the National 
Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project.
  The ``SingAmerica'' project aims to restore the original Star 
Spangled Banner Flag and to renew national awareness of the patriotic 
musical traditions of the United States. The performance and singing 
tradition of patriotic music has served as a vital instrument for the 
recruitment and retention of the Armed Forces of the United States. 
Such patriotic music can be found on the SingAmerica! Patriotic 
Collection CD, which marks the first time all of the U.S. military 
bands: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been 
recorded on a single album.
  The National Anthem and the Star Spangled Banner hold a special place 
in the hearts and minds of the American people as symbols of national 
unity, resolve, and willingness to sacrifice in order to preserve the 
Nation's sacred heritage of freedom. This resolution urges all 
Americans to assist, enjoy, and participate in the National Anthem 
``SingAmerica'' project.
  Sometimes, when you are listening to just the song, you can imagine 
that you see Francis Scott Key as he looked out and saw that the flag 
was still waving in the pitch of battle and was inspired to write the 
words ``Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light. What so proudly 
we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.''
  Or, you think of other patriotic songs like ``America, The 
Beautiful'' and ``God bless America.'' All of those symbolize what 
America has been, but also what America has the potential of being.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent project, and I would urge passage 
of this resolution.

[[Page H10247]]

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. I urge all Members 
to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 262. I thank the 
gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) for introducing this patriotic 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 262.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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