[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 104 (Monday, June 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H5834-H5836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF BLACK MUSIC MONTH

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 372) supporting the goals and 
ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions 
that African American singers and musicians have made to the United 
States.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 372

       Whereas the Nation should be urged to recognize the 
     exemplary contributions that African-American singers, 
     musicians, and composers have made both to the United States 
     and the world;
       Whereas the music of African-Americans is the music of 
     America, and has historically transcended social, economic, 
     and racial barriers to unite people of all backgrounds;
       Whereas artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, 
     educators, executives, and other professionals in the music 
     industry provide inspiration and leadership through their 
     creation of music;
       Whereas African-American music is indigenous to the United 
     States and originates from African genres of music;
       Whereas African-American genres of music such as gospel, 
     blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop have their 
     roots in the African-American experience;
       Whereas African-American music has a pervasive influence on 
     dance, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, media, 
     advertisements, and other aspects of culture;
       Whereas Black music has helped African-Americans endure 
     great suffering and overcome injustice with courage and 
     faith;
       Whereas civil rights demonstrators often marched to the 
     cadence of many songs written and composed as gospels or 
     spirituals that were created on the fields of slaves;
       Whereas June was first declared as Black Music Month in 
     1979 by President Carter and has yearly been designated as 
     National Black Music Month by all concurrent Presidents;
       Whereas African-American musicians have played a 
     significant role in inspiring people

[[Page H5835]]

     across the generations in America and around the world with 
     their vision and creativity by writing lyrics which speak to 
     the human experience and express heartfelt emotion;
       Whereas producers of African-American music have come to be 
     known as some of the greatest musical talents who have 
     enriched our culture and continue to influence fellow 
     musicians today;
       Whereas African-American musicians have helped shape our 
     national character and have become an important part of our 
     musical heritage; and
       Whereas African-American music has millions of fans of 
     different races and ages in cities and towns all across the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Black Music Month;
       (2) honors the outstanding contributions that African-
     American singers, musicians, composers, and producers have 
     made to this country;
       (3) calls on the people of the United States to take the 
     opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the majesty, 
     vitality, and importance of African-American music; and
       (4) requests and authorizes the President to issue a 
     proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to 
     observe such with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. SARBANES. I request 5 legislative days during which Members may 
revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 372 
into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SARBANES. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 372, which 
supports the goals of Black Music Month. This is an appropriate time to 
honor the outstanding contributions African American singers and 
musicians have made to the United States. The Nation benefits 
culturally and economically from the experience of black musicians. 
Today, I stand to honor the influence of African American musical 
artists.
  African American music has strong ties to African heritage. The 
complex rhythm, melodic harmony, and active call-and-response nature of 
African American music are products of deep African traditions. Many 
Negro spirituals performed and written by African Americans not only 
commemorated the African Diaspora but helped to create social change.
  In April of 1960, in Monteagle, Tennessee, a 16-year-old girl named 
Jamila Jones stood in a crowd of nonviolent segregation protestors and 
began singing, ``We Shall Overcome'' to a group of armed and hostile 
deputies. That night, the deputies withdrew and let the students sing. 
``We Shall Overcome'' is a Negro spiritual taken from Reverend Charles 
Tindley's, ``I'll Overcome Some Day.'' Other songs, such as, ``Swing 
Low Sweet Chariot,'' ``There is a Balm in Gilead,'' and ``Lift Every 
Voice and Sing,'' are all prominent African American ballads that were 
instrumental in the Civil Rights movement.
  Other genres of music are rooted in the black experience as well. The 
origins of gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, and rap are all closely 
linked to African American culture. These genres have enormous impact 
on our Nation at large.
  President Carter acknowledged the influence and contribution of black 
music when he first declared June as, ``Black Music Month,'' in 1979. 
Black musicians inspire people across generations and around the world 
with their creativity, vision, and ability to speak to the human 
experience. The long history of African American music has helped shape 
our Nation and musical heritage.
  There are millions of African American music fans of different races 
and ages all across our Nation. I support this bill and I honor the 
goals and ideals of Black Music Month, along with the many 
contributions of black musicians to the American people.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 372, 
supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and to honor the 
outstanding contributions that African American singers and musicians 
have made to the United States.
  From the days of slavery and discrimination, through the progress of 
the Civil Rights movement, to today, black music has told the story of 
the African American experience. In addition to giving voice to black 
struggles, faith, and joys, African American music has helped also to 
bring people together. During Black Music Month, we celebrate this 
integral part of music history by highlighting the enduring legacy of 
African American musicians, singers, and composers.
  In the early days, black music was used to share stories, spread 
ideas, preserve history, and establish community. These spirituals 
eventually evolved into a genre that remains vibrant and very 
meaningful today, gospel music. This great musical tradition developed 
under the leadership of people like Thomas Dorsey, who was known as the 
Father of Gospel Music.
  In the early 20th century, the progression of jazz took place all 
over the country, from the deep south of New Orleans and the 
Mississippi Delta, to northern cities such as Chicago and New York. 
Jazz captured the interest of 20th century America, making household 
names of great African American artists like Louis Armstrong, Charlie 
Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. The unparalleled brilliance 
of these and other great jazz musicians had an extraordinary effect 
upon the American musical tradition, while bringing great pleasure to 
millions of fans.
  Later, rhythm and blues emerged, synthesizing elements from gospel, 
blues, and jazz; and from these styles came the birth of rock and roll.

                              {time}  1745

  A fabulous array of artists helped to pioneer this modern musical 
transformation, including Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Aretha 
Franklin and Stevie Wonder.
  African American music continues to influence the American music 
scene today with styles such as rap and hip-hop. As we celebrate the 
many creative and inspiring African American artists whose efforts have 
enhanced our Nation, we recognize their enduring legacy and look to a 
future of continued musical achievement.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Con. Res. 372, honoring the outstanding contributions that African 
American singers and musicians have made to the United States. June 
2008 marks the 29th year of national recognition of Black Music. It is 
difficult to imagine American music without the rich and continuing 
innovations of African Americans. Prompted by Songwriter/producer Kenny 
Gamble, producer Berry Gordy, and artist Stevie Wonder, President Jimmy 
Carter designated June as Black Music Month in 1979.
  From the African American spirituals created and sung by those who 
were enslaved or who were striving for equal rights, to the celebration 
of faith in gospel music, to the trials and struggles of life 
illuminated in blues, the music throughout the years served as a 
narrative to the African American experience. The number of actual 
contributors to the African-American Music Movement is immeasurable, 
and the impact of these artists on American music and culture has been 
astounding. African American artists have influenced the development of 
all branches of American popular culture including rock, country, and 
popular or ``pop'' music. Artists such as Paul Robeson and Marian 
Anderson, who lived in my home State of Connecticut, Chuck Berry, Bo 
Diddley, Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia 
Jackson, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye set the tone for 
American music and have influenced artists and musicians across 
generations throughout the globe.
  And so Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the numerous African 
American musicians and singers who have enriched and defined the 
various forms of American Music and urge the passage of this bill.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 372, Supporting the goals and ideals of Black 
Music Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African 
American singers and musicians have made to the United States, 
introduced by my distinguished colleague from Michigan, Representative 
Kilpatrick. This important resolution honors, recognizes, preserves, 
and promotes the legacy

[[Page H5836]]

and contributions that Black Music and African American singers and 
musicians have made to our great Nation.
  Black Music has been woven into the fabric of American Society for 
centuries, deeply impacting hundreds of generations. The music of 
African-Americans is the music of America, and has historically 
transcended social, economic, and racial barriers to unite people of 
all backgrounds. African American artists, songwriters, producers, 
engineers, educators, executives, and other professionals in the music 
industry provide inspiration and leadership through their creation of 
music, and their value to the African American community cannot be 
overstated.
  African-American music is indigenous to the United States and 
originates from African genres of music. From gospel, blues, jazz, 
rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop, African Americans musical roots can 
be heard throughout many musical genres that we love today. African-
American music has had a pervasive influence on dance, fashion, 
language, art, literature, cinema, media, advertisements, and other 
aspects of culture and this legislation commends its pervasive 
influence. Furthermore, Black music has helped African-Americans endure 
great suffering and overcome injustice with courage and faith. Civil 
rights demonstrators often marched to the cadence of many songs written 
and composed as gospels or spirituals that were created on the fields 
of slaves.

  As we know, African-American music is an American art form that has 
spanned throughout hundreds of years. Its musical elements can be heard 
melodiously infused in many genres that we love today. It has grown 
beyond its roots to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance, 
touching audiences around the world. According to the Gospel Music 
Channel, ``Gospel music sales now account for nearly 8 percent of all 
music purchased in the United States, selling seven CDs for every ten 
purchased in country music.''
  Regardless of their musical styles, artists have turned to Black 
music as the source and inspiration for their own music, which has 
blurred the boundaries between secular and Gospel music. African-
American musicians have played a significant role in inspiring people 
across the generations in America and around the world with their 
vision and creativity by writing lyrics which speak to the human 
experience and express heartfelt emotion. This important legislation 
requests and authorizes the President to issue a proclamation calling 
upon the people of the United States to observe such with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
  In 1979, President Carter first declared June as Black Music Month, 
an honor that has yearly repeated by the designation of National Black 
Music Month by all concurrent Presidents. African-American musicians 
have helped shape our national character and have become an important 
part of our musical heritage and African-American music has millions of 
fans of different races and ages in cities and towns all across the 
United States. I am proud to support this legislation that honors the 
outstanding contributions that African-American singers, musicians, 
composers, and producers have made to this country and call on the 
people of the United States to take the opportunity to study, reflect 
on, and celebrate the majesty, vitality, and importance of African-
American music.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation that supports 
the goals and ideals of Black Music Month and I urge all my colleagues 
to join me in so doing.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support 
H. Con. Res. 372, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 372.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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