[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2331-E2332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE RECORDING ACADEMY ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF ITS CULTURAL 
                           POLICY INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, also known as the 
Recording Academy, on the announcement of the GRAMMY Cultural Policy 
Initiative.
  The Recording Academy is dedicated to improving the quality of life 
and cultural condition for music and those who make it. An organization 
of 18,000 musicians, songwriters, producers and other recording 
professionals, the Recording Academy is internationally known for the 
GRAMMY Awards, and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, 
professional development, cultural enrichment, education and human 
services programs.
  An outstanding example of the Recording Academy's commitment to music 
is the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. It was 
an honor for me to be a sponsor with Representative Steny Hoyer of the 
National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 which established the 
registry. The Recording Academy now works with the Library of Congress 
to ensure the preservation of our national audio heritage for the 
enjoyment and education of generations to come. As a result of these 
efforts the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress 
includes early recordings by ragtime composer Scott Joplin, inventor 
Thomas Edison, and singer Bessie Smith, plus more recent works by Bob 
Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Frank Sinatra.
  The first 50 recordings in the National Recording Registry truly 
represent the breadth and brilliance of our recorded heritage in both 
music and the spoken word, and each year more landmark recordings will 
be preserved and protected through their addition to the Registry.
  To further advance its cultural mission, the Recording Academy 
unveiled its GRAMMY Cultural Policy Initiative on September 17 in 
Washington. Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy, launched 
this Initiative on behalf of NARAS to advance the rights of recording 
artists through advocacy, education and dialogue. Coordinated by Daryl 
Friedman, Senior Executive Director of the Washington office of the 
Recording Academy, the advocacy team will utilize its chapters and 
membership nationwide to educate the public through seminars and other 
grassroots events.
  The Academy is also set to launch the GRAMMY Town Hall, a nationwide 
series of discussions with music industry leaders on critical issues 
such as file sharing, copyright protection, and intellectual property.
  Mr. Speaker, the importance of music to my life and to the lives of 
people around the world cannot be overstated. Music transcends borders 
and breaks down cultural barriers. Young

[[Page E2332]]

Americans reap the lifetime benefits from music instruction in our 
schools. Music creates timeless memories. Music strikes a chord in all 
of us.
  We must also recognize the economic impact of music. One of the 
bright spots of the U.S. trade economy is our recording industry. 
Recorded music generates a trade surplus for our nation and is one of 
America's leading exports, touching virtually every nation on the 
planet.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Portnow, Mr. Friedman 
and Recording Academy Chairman Dan Carlin for launching this important 
initiative.

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