[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E617-E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE MONTEREY BAY BLUES FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Monterey Bay Blues 
Festival on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary. For a quarter 
of a century, the Festival has been dedicated to the stewardship and 
celebration of this uniquely American musical legacy here on the 
Monterey Peninsula.
  Six years ago the Festival started its Blues in the Schools (BITS) 
program, which has spread to five school districts in Monterey County 
and keeps on growing. As part of the regular music program, BITS 
introduces the blues to young people who hope to find their own 
expressions in music. Scholarships and grants help to keep students 
focused on and developing passion for their art. BITS clinicians 
support choirs, guitar classes, combos, and school bands.
  In the words of my friend and former staff member, Doris M. Jones, 
chair of the anniversary committee: ``. . . the (festival) began with a 
few local men and women who had a desire to preserve the rich heritage 
of blues music, as well as continue to perpetuate the heartfelt sounds 
created out of times of sorrow, pain, jubilation and joy. . . . `The 
Blues' have a way of touching that place in each of us that brings out 
a deep emotion and understanding that, regardless of how difficult the 
times, things will get better. Whether it is our economy, our health, 
our relationships, times of love or times of war, the expression of the 
blues reminds us that we are more alike than we are different.''
  The mission of the Monterey Bay Blues Festival is to give back to the 
community and spread this distinctively American art form through the 
Festival and by supporting youth and the arts. In this way, they expand 
the appreciation of their evolving artistic legacy and inspire a 
passion for music, especially the Blues.
  Madam Speaker, I want to hold up the Festival as a cultural 
institution, an expression of what makes our nation a worldwide leader 
in the music that is unique to our land. May their continued success 
inspire many more generations to celebrate our nation's musical 
heritage and participate in its future.
  On behalf of the whole House, I am honored to extend to the Monterey 
Bay Blues Festival the gratitude of the Congress and the American 
people for their past and future service.

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