[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING THE CAREER OF FRANCES PRESTON

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, Frances Preston, the president and 
chief executive officer of BMI announced in April that she is stepping 
down from her leadership role at BMI. Though I know she will continue 
to play a role at BMI, I take this opportunity to commend her for 
distinguished and dedicated service to the writers, composers, and 
publisher of BMI, as well as to the broader creative community.
  For many years, Mrs. Preston has successfully guided BMI to a 
position of international leadership in the entertainment industry. She 
is one of the industry's most widely admired executives. Fortune 
magazine has called her ``one of the true powerhouses of the pop music 
business.''
  In large part as a result of her business and creative acumen, BMI 
today represents legendary artists ranging from Sting to Paul Simon to 
Shania Twain. And, in the world of public policy, Mrs. Preston has been 
a strong voice for creators' rights. She also maintains a passionate 
dedication to a number of charities and serves in a volunteer capacity 
as the president of the largest medical charity, the T.J. Martell 
Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research.
  The list of awards Mrs. Preston has received for excellence in 
industry and public service is too long to list here. They range from 
being the first non-performing woman invited to join New York's 
prestigious Friar's Club in 1993 to the American Women in Radio and 
Television's Outstanding Achievement Award in 1998 to induction in the 
Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1999. More recent honors include 
the Touchstone Advocate Award from Women in Music in October 2003 and 
the NARAS Heroes Award from the New York Chapter of the Recording 
Academy in December 2003.
  Frances Preston has been successful in business, a leader in her 
community, and generous in her service. She leaves a lasting legacy of 
leadership and excellence.




                          ____________________