[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE ORGANIZERS, PARTICIPANTS, AND PATRONS OF THE 25TH 
                    ANNUAL W.C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the organizers, 
participants, and patrons of the 25th Annual W.C. Handy Music Festival, 
which begins on July 21 and lasts until July 30.
  The W.C. Handy Festival is named after Florence, Alabama, native 
William Christopher Handy. Mr. Handy, who is remembered today as the 
``Father of Blues,'' was born in 1873 in a log cabin that his 
grandfather built. He left Florence in 1892, settling in Memphis, 
Tennessee, where he penned his most recognized composition, ``St. Louis 
Blues.'' Before his death in 1958, W.C. Handy wrote over 150 songs and 
his widespread appeal is credited with popularizing blues music into 
America's cultural mainstream.
  Mr. Speaker, beginning with the birth of Mr. Handy and continuing 
today, the Shoals Region of Northwest Alabama has a storied musical 
history. The Shoals area is also the birthplace of the ``Father of Rock 
and Roll'' Sam Phillips, who discovered artists such as Elvis Presley, 
Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The region is also the home of the 
Alabama Music Hall of Fame, as well as generations of musicians, 
composers, songwriters, and internationally recognized recording 
studios and producers. Over the last 50 years, musical legends such as 
Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, and some of today's musical 
superstars have recorded many of their biggest hits in the area.
  Each year, the Music Preservation Society organizes this unique 
festival to pay tribute to W.C. Handy's legacy and the area's rich 
musical heritage. Thousands of musical patrons are entertained through 
more than 200 events at locations throughout the Shoals. Musical acts 
range from a wide variety of blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, and 
country acts. The artists perform live in local restaurants, 
nightclubs, theatres, parks, libraries, art galleries, churches, malls, 
museums, and street corners throughout the region.
  The Festival, which began in 1982 featuring jazz legend Dizzy 
Gillespie, has continued to grow each year. Past headlining acts have 
included Clarence Carter, the Manhattan Transfer, and Percy Sledge. In 
its 25-year history, National Geographic, the Southeast Tourism 
Society, Travelocity.com, the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, 
and the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel have recognized the 
festival as one of the top events in the South.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to congratulate and applaud the 
efforts of the Music Preservation Society Board of Directors and staff, 
and the festival's volunteers and musicians who make this celebration 
of the cultural heritage of northwest Alabama a reality each year.

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