[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATIONS TO ASCAP ON 90 YEARS OF SUCCESS

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am delighted to take this opportunity to 
recognize the 90th Anniversary of ASCAP, the American Society of 
Composers, Authors and Publishers.
  In 1913, nine men braved foul New York weather to attend a small 
meeting at a restaurant called Luchow's. The meeting had been organized 
by three of the men; Raymond Hubbell, a composer, George Maxwell; a 
publisher; and Nathan Burkan, an attorney. They were brought together 
by the novel idea of creating a society to ensure writers and 
publishers received the recognition and revenue their works generated. 
Enlisting the help of songwriter Victor Herbert, the group found five 
other writers and publishers to get the word out. A second meeting was 
scheduled, and in February 1914, over 100 members of the music 
community officially began the American Society of Composers, Authors 
and Publishers.
  In the time that has passed, ASCAP has represented many of the 
greatest musical talents in recent history. The society's members have 
included Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Peggy Lee, Garth Brooks, Jimmy 
Hendrix, Carly Simon, Bob Marley, Henry Mancini, Billy Joel, Bruce 
Springsteen and Madonna. Members have won countless awards for their 
work, including current president Marilyn Bergman, who, in 
collaboration with her husband, has won three Oscars, two Grammys and 
four Emmys. Under her outstanding leadership it has grown to 185,000 
members, including many of the newest and greatest names in music.
  This year, ASCAP celebrates its 90th anniversary in a time of great 
importance to the music copyright community. With the current debate 
over file sharing and constantly developing technology, individual 
artists are virtually powerless to protect their own work from illegal 
copying. As a songwriter and member of ASCAP myself, I truly understand 
the joy and pride that comes with the creation of a song, as I also 
understand the need for artists' rights to their songs to be protected. 
I have also had a professional connection with the property rights 
issues the society addresses. As the chairman and a long-time member of 
the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees matters of intellectual 
property law, I appreciate the dedication the society has shown toward 
maintaining the integrity and efficiency of copyright laws.
  In the past 90 years, ASCAP has witnessed the transitions from 
records to 8 tracks to cassettes to compact discs and now to mp3s. It 
has been through the many trends of music, from big band and swing in 
1920s and 1930s, to the wide range of musical styles available today. 
ASCAP has stood the test of time. I hope my colleagues will join me in 
recognizing its great contributions to the world of intellectual 
property law and wishing ASCAP and its members well in the years to 
come.

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