[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING FRANCES PRESTON FOR HER MUSIC INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a good friend, 
Frances W. Preston, or her nearly 50 years of commitment and service to 
the music industry, spending the last 18 years as president and chief 
operating officer of BMI, a powerful organization of songwriters and 
publishers. She will retire in September.
  Frances is widely regarded as one of the music industry's most 
influential executives. Fortune magazine, for example, called her a 
``powerhouse'' in the business. During her tenure as president of BMI, 
which represents more than 300,000 songwriters and composers in all 
musical genres, Frances helped the organization triple its revenues. 
Last year, BMI distributed $533 million in royalties to songwriters and 
composers.
  Frances has helped shape copyright-protection legislation both here 
in the U.S. and abroad. Her business acumen and commitment to the music 
industry have garnered her the utmost respect. An outstanding advocate 
for the artists who write songs and compose music, she has helped me 
better understand music-industry issues during my tenure here in the 
House of Representatives. I sincerely have appreciated her friendship 
and candid advice over the years.
  Despite her busy and hectic schedule, Frances took part in numerous 
civic organizations and charities. And she never forgot her Tennessee 
roots. Instrumental in helping country music become a mainstream 
entertainment venue, Frances began her career at country radio station 
WSM in Nashville, Tennessee, and was inducted into the Country Music 
Hall of Fame in 1992. Her service to the industry has been truly 
remarkable. I congratulate her for her dedication to the industry and 
wish her well in future endeavors.

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