[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H564-H565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING 
                           ARTS AND SCIENCES

  Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 273) recognizing the 50th 
Anniversary of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 273

       Whereas, in 1957, a group of visionary leaders gathered at 
     the famed Brown Derby in Los Angeles to form The National 
     Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences;
       Whereas The Recording Academy soon created the GRAMMY Award 
     which is the world's most visible and prestigious award for 
     music;
       Whereas the GRAMMY was created as a peer award, given by 
     music makers, for music makers, to honor the highest quality 
     recording music of the year without regard to sales or chart 
     position;
       Whereas The Recording Academy expanded its mission beyond 
     recognition of musical excellence to include groundbreaking 
     professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, 
     education, and human services programs;
       Whereas through its 12 chapters across America, The 
     Recording Academy serves more than 18,000 musicians, singers, 
     songwriters, producers, engineers, and other music 
     professionals;
       Whereas, in 1989, The Recording Academy created the GRAMMY 
     Foundation to cultivate the understanding, appreciation, and 
     advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American 
     culture, from the artistic and technical legends of the past 
     to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future 
     generations of music professionals;
       Whereas that same year, The Recording Academy created 
     MusiCares, to provide a safety net of critical assistance for 
     music people in times of need;
       Whereas the GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative, based in 
     Washington, DC, works to advance the rights of the music 
     community through advocacy, education, and dialogue; and
       Whereas through this initiative, The Recording Academy has 
     become a leading advocate for music makers: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress congratulates The Recording 
     Academy during its 50th GRAMMY celebration for its important 
     work in improving the environment for music and music makers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Hampshire (Mr. Hodes) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. 
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Hampshire.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Hampshire?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the 
consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 273, which acknowledges 
the 50th anniversary of the National Academy of Recording Arts & 
Sciences.
  House Concurrent Resolution 273 was introduced by Representative Mary 
Bono Mack of California on December 19, 2007, and was considered by and 
reported from the Oversight Committee on January 29, 2008, by voice 
vote.
  The measure has the support of over 60 Members of Congress, and 
provides our body a collective opportunity to both recognize and 
congratulate the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences on its 
50th anniversary Grammy Awards celebration.
  Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & 
Sciences, also known as the Recording Academy, serves as the premier 
organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other 
recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and 
cultural conditions of others through music and the arts. As a producer 
of recordings myself, I am especially aware of the academy's fine and 
important work.
  The Recording Academy is best known for its presentation of the 
Grammy Awards, which is the only peer-presented award ceremony to honor 
artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in 
the recording industry without regard to album sales or chart position.
  In addition to the Grammys, the Recording Academy is also known for 
its philanthropic efforts to cultivate the understanding, appreciation 
and advancement of the recording industry's contributions to American 
culture through music and education programs offered by the Grammy 
Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm sure we all agree that the Recording Academy has 
made a significant contribution to the landscape of our country. For 
its service in improving the environment for music, music makers and 
music lovers over the past 50 years, the Recording Academy is 
undoubtedly deserving of recognition. Therefore, I urge swift passage 
of House Concurrent Resolution 273.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 273, which recognizes 
the 50th anniversary of the National Academy of Recording Arts & 
Sciences.
  Mr. Speaker, while the music industry has changed and continues to 
change over the years, its importance to the lives of Americans has 
not. Songs provide inspiration, evoke fond memories, and even comfort 
us during times of need.
  In addition to entertaining us, we should also be mindful of the 
music industry's role in our Nation's economy, accounting for some 
$11.5 billion annually. Moreover, this sector of our economy provides 
jobs to thousands of singers, songwriters, musicians, producers and 
other recording professionals.
  In 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences was formed 
to honor the most talented music makers by creating the world's most 
prestigious music award, known as the Grammy Award.
  This unique award is not based on sales, popularity or consumer taste 
but is given as a peer award by artists for artists. The award also 
continues to be the only peer-presented award to honor the achievement, 
technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry.
  The Recording Academy's responsibility for the Grammys is only the 
tip of the iceberg. The academy has also expanded its scope beyond 
recognizing the best in music to include groundbreaking professional 
development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human 
services programs. In time, the Grammy Foundation was created to 
recognize the significant contributions music has made to American 
culture and its impact on all of our citizens in the past, present and 
future.
  Another aspect of the academy's outreach is MusiCares. Through the 
efforts of this program, a wide range of financial, medical and 
personal emergencies for many struggling artists in the Nation's music 
community are covered. MusiCares also provides educational programs 
that are found throughout the country that focus on the preservation of 
our musical heritage.
  Through its 12 chapters across the United States, the Recording 
Academy impacts the music community at large by working diligently to 
protect the music creators through strong intellectual property rights, 
addressing the legality of downloading and purchase of music on the 
Internet, as well as music preservation and music education.
  I urge my colleagues to support this concurrent resolution 
congratulating the Recording Academy during its 50th Grammy 
celebration, and recognizing its important contribution to the success 
and vitality of music makers.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, this weekend millions of Americans will 
view the Grammy Awards Gala and I rise today to recognize a most 
important milestone for the organization responsible for this program.

[[Page H565]]

  I would first like to take this opportunity to thank the Majority 
Leader and his staff for working together with my office on this 
concurrent resolution. Additionally, I would like to thank him for his 
steadfast commitment to the Recording Arts and Sciences Caucus of which 
we both serve as co-chairs.
  Today I am joined by over 60 of my colleagues--on both sides of the 
aisle--as I put forth this concurrent resolution which recognizes the 
contributions the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has 
made to our country over the last half century.
  It is indeed an honor to celebrate this anniversary as we acknowledge 
that is has been 50 years since the Recording Academy was formed. 
Throughout that time the Recording Academy has expanded its mission 
beyond a peer music award to include professional development, cultural 
enrichment, advocacy, education, and human services programs.
  These programs are helping develop and nurture the music industry and 
most importantly the musicians who make up that industry. The impact 
this has had on music and the arts in the United States cannot be 
overstated.
  At its core, the Recording Academy's support for the individual 
recording professional has been and is essential to the creative life 
of our Nation. The Recording Academy's constant push for the 
advancement of the rights of musicians, songwriters, singers, 
producers, and other recording professionals is essential to the future 
health and sustainability of the music community. Thankfully, the 
Recording Academy is there everyday, championing these worthy causes 
and educating all of us about their importance.
  As such, I am proud to have authored House Concurrent Resolution 273 
which recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the National Academy of 
Recording Arts and Sciences.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I ask for the support of Members from 
both sides of the aisle for H. Con. Res. 273, legislation I'm proud to 
have authored.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Hodes) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 273.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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