[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 99 (Monday, June 16, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the immediate consideration of S. Res. 595 submitted earlier today by 
Senator Lincoln.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 595) designating September 2008 as 
     ``Gospel Music Heritage Month'' and honoring gospel music for 
     its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of 
     the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related 
to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 595) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 595

       Whereas gospel music is a beloved art form unique to the 
     United States, spanning decades, generations, and races;
       Whereas gospel music is one of the cornerstones of the 
     musical tradition of the United States and has grown beyond 
     its roots to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance;
       Whereas gospel music has spread beyond its geographic 
     origins to touch audiences around the world;
       Whereas the history of gospel music can be traced to 
     multiple and diverse influences and foundations, including 
     African-American spirituals that blended diverse elements 
     from African music and melodic influences from Irish folk 
     songs and hymns, and gospel music ultimately borrowed from 
     uniquely American musical styles including ragtime, jazz, and 
     blues;
       Whereas that tradition of diversity remains today, as the 
     influence of gospel music can be found infused in all forms 
     of secular music, including rock and roll, country, soul, 
     rhythm and blues, and countless other styles;
       Whereas the legacy of gospel music includes some of the 
     most memorable voices and musical pioneers in the history of 
     the United States, such as Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, 
     James Vaughan, Roberta Martin, Virgil Stamps, Diana 
     Washington, Stamps Quartet, The Highway QCs, The Statesmen, 
     The Soul Stirrers, Point of Grace, Smokie Norful, Terry 
     Woods, James Cleveland, Billy Ray Hearns, Rex Humbard, Joe 
     Ligon and The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Kirk Franklin, V. Michael 
     McKay, Theola Booker, Yolanda Adams, Edwin and Walter 
     Hawkins, Sandi Patty, The Winans, Kathy Taylor, and Brenda 
     Waters, Carl Preacher, and Shirley Joiner of B, C & S;
       Whereas many of the biggest names in music emerged from the 
     gospel music tradition or have recorded gospel music, 
     including Sam Cooke, Al Green, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, 
     Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Little Richard, Ray 
     Charles, Buddy Holly, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Mariah 
     Carey, Bob Dylan, Randy Travis, and Glenn Campbell;
       Whereas, regardless of their musical styles, those artists 
     and so many more have turned to gospel music as the source 
     and inspiration for their music, which has blurred the 
     boundaries between secular and gospel music;
       Whereas, beyond its contribution to the musical tradition 
     of the United States, gospel music has provided a cultural 
     and musical backdrop across all of mainstream media, from hit 
     television series to major Hollywood motion pictures, 
     including ``American Idol'', ``Heroes'', ``Dancing with the 
     Stars'', ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'', ``Sister Act'', 
     ``The Preacher's Wife'', ``Evan Almighty'', and more; and
       Whereas gospel music has a huge audience around the country 
     and around the world, a testament to the universal appeal of 
     a historical American art form that both inspires and 
     entertains across racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic 
     boundaries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2008 as ``Gospel Music Heritage 
     Month''; and
       (2) recognizes the great contributions to the culture of 
     the United States derived from the rich heritage of gospel 
     music and gospel music artists.

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