[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 113 (Thursday, July 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6446-H6449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 0050
SUPPORTING GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH
Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the joint
resolution (H.J. Res. 90) expressing support for designation of
September 2010 as ``Gospel Music Heritage Month'' and honoring gospel
music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of
the United States.
The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
The text of the joint resolution is as follows:
H.J. Res. 90
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, 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, and Randy Travis;
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;
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
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and entertains across racial, ethnic, religious, and
geographic boundaries; and
Whereas September 2010 would be an appropriate month to
designate as ``Gospel Music Heritage Month'': Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress
supports the designation of ``Gospel Music Heritage Month''
which would recognize the contributions to the culture of the
United States derived from the rich heritage of gospel music
and gospel music artists.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Chu) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I am pleased to present H.J. Res. 90 for consideration.
This resolution expresses support for Gospel Music Heritage Month
celebrated in September and honors gospel music for its valuable and
longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States. H.J.
Res. 90 was introduced by our colleague Representative Sheila Jackson
Lee of Texas on June 17, 2010. It was referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by
unanimous consent on July 15, 2010. It enjoys the bipartisan support of
65 cosponsors.
Mr. Speaker, gospel music has been enjoyed by generation after
generation of Americans and by music lovers from around the world. As
with many of our country's artistic and cultural traditions, it
reflects our diverse ancestry, borrowing from such sources as African
music, African American spirituals, Irish folk songs and hymns as well
as ragtime, jazz, and blues. The blending of these styles with
Christian hymns and gospel verse has led to a musical tradition at the
heart of our culture.
Throughout its history, gospel music has stood as a prominent form of
Christian worship. Congregations across the country continue to sing
gospel music during their regular services. Gospel music has also
influenced many forms of secular music with rock, country, soul, rhythm
and blues, with many other styles drawing from its distinct sound.
Mr. Speaker, gospel music is a truly American art and H.J. Resolution
90 will recognize its profound contribution to our culture.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CAO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 90,
expressing support for the designation of September 2010 as Gospel
Music Heritage Month and honoring gospel music for its valuable and
longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States.
I would like to commend the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee)
for introducing this legislation and bringing it to the floor this
evening--well, rather, this morning.
This is the third year in a row that this body has considered a
resolution supporting Gospel Music Heritage Month and honoring gospel
music. Beginning in June 2008, Members of this body have worked
together in a bipartisan fashion to recognize what gospel music means
to our country. I commend my colleagues for their work in honoring the
cultural contributions that gospel music has and continues to make to
America and the world.
Over the years, gospel music has been influenced by a multitude of
unique and diverse musical styles and genres including elements of
European music and African American spirituals as well. These
spirituals brought together and blended elements of African music and
were coupled with melodic influences from Irish folk songs and hymns.
Over the last century, gospel music has also merged aspects and
features from uniquely American music styles such as ragtime, jazz, and
blues.
Today, gospel music has progressed into more of a contemporary era as
it has obtained pop culture status but at the same time has been able
to stay true to its roots, traditions, and history. Artists like Aretha
Franklin, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, and Mariah Carey have
either emerged from or recorded gospel music. These artists and many
others have sought inspiration from gospel music and through their work
have blurred the line between secular and gospel music.
The area of Louisiana that I represent includes New Orleans, the
birthplace of jazz. Gospel music, much like jazz, reflects the richness
of talents, culture, and crosses all barriers. It provides a positive
force for informing and reuniting our communities, and it serves as a
spoken, yet often unwritten, record of our shared experiences.
From Louis Armstrong to Irma Thomas to Marva Wright, the maven of
song who passed away early this year, New Orleans is rich with music
that has shaped our Nation's rich heritage and inspired lives across
the world. America's cultural story is heavily influenced by the
celebration and struggle of African Americans through their musical
expression, especially gospel music. African American musicians,
singers, and composers have contributed immensely to our Nation's
history.
For decades, the voices of the civil rights movement's social
activism and cultural awareness have been heard through the gospel
music we recognize and celebrate today.
Mr. Speaker, gospel music has gone from a little-known American music
genre to be known all around the world as an art form that has the
ability to inspire and entertain millions of people. No matter the
race, ethnicity, religion, or location, gospel music has become and
will continue to be cherished and enjoyed by many.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.J. Res.
90.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. CHU. I now recognize Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, the
author of this resolution, for such time as she may consume.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Thank you to the manager of this
legislation, Congresswoman Chu, for her very kind and astute words and
to Mr. Cao for his words in recognizing that gospel music is part of
Americana.
And that's why I stand today to be able to reflect the history of
America and to be able to say that it is important that we preserve our
history, cherish uniqueness of American history and American history in
music.
{time} 0100
Today I rise in support of H.J. Res. 90, expressing support for the
designation of September 2010 as Gospel Music Heritage Month and
honoring gospel music for its valuable and long-standing contributions
to the culture of the United States.
It was in my own hometown of Houston, listening to the wide range of
gospel artists from many different disciplines, that the idea came to
seek an opportunity for all of America, no matter from where they may
have come, from what walk of life, what religion, what ethnicity, what
background to really celebrate this very special part of American
history.
As you may know, gospel music is an American art form that has
spanned hundreds of years and across several generations. It has
touched millions of lives around the world while demonstrating its
profound ability to transcend secular music and many other forms of
music.
As you can note, you can see that when we play or sing gospel music
in a very diverse form, people are happy. They are joyful. They are
having a wonderful time.
By surpassing culturally constructed boundaries, gospel music has
emerged as a musical thread uniting the fabric of America. Gospel music
is when we are sad. Gospel music is when we are joyous. Gospel music is
when we need comforting.
Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, and even Democrats and
Republicans alike have been uniquely interlinked by gospel's undeniable
influence to American culture. For this reason it is important that we
recognize and celebrate the vital role that gospel music has played in
shaping music history. If
[[Page H6448]]
you talk to many of our military personnel on battlefields, you will
note that many will hum a gospel song or a hymn that began with the
origin of gospel music.
While gospel music has become a multibillion-dollar industry, gospel
music's historic roots have originated in the humble and soulful
melodies of African American spirituals, as well as in the far ranges
of Appalachia and other places around the Nation. Its sound contains
diverse elements from African music, melodic influences from Irish folk
songs, hymns and ultimately borrows from other uniquely American
musical styles, including ragtime, jazz and blues. The legacy of gospel
music can be heard in the voices of pioneers in American history like
Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, James Vaughan, Roberta Martin and many,
many more.
The influence of gospel music can be found infused in all forms of
secular music, including rock and roll, country, soul, R&B and
countless other styles. Gospel music laid down the foundation for
legendary recording artists such as Elvis Presley. I heard many say
that Elvis's best words and music were the gospel songs that he sang,
and I believe that someone reminded me that Elvis Presley won a Grammy
because of a gospel song that he sang. Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin,
Buddy Holly, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey,
Bob Dylan, and Randy Travis.
While there are many elements, situations and issues that divide our
Nation, gospel music has found a unique way to highlight our
similarities and influence the cultural makeup of our society. Instead
of emphasizing our differences, gospel music has found a way to cater
to the fundamental elements that unite people around the world,
focusing on the soul of an individual rather than the mind.
If you look at these pictures, you can see how people are inspired
and seemingly caught up in the emotion and the feeling of the song.
With that, it is important that we do not take this art form for
granted. In fact, this evening I was speaking to Kurt Carr, and it may
be important that as we celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month we find a
way to translate this musical art to our children. We must make sure
that the heritage of gospel music is recognized, honored, and
celebrated. As I said, it is part of Americana. It is part of American
history. It is a song which pioneers took west with them and others
found comfort in their times of stress.
Over the years, songs like ``Amazing Grace,'' which was written by
John Newton, a young boy who left school at the age of 11 and began a
life as a pirate seaman. Eventually he engaged in slavery capturing
people from west Africa and selling them to slave markets around the
world. But some would say by the grace of God fear was put into his
heart when he was caught in a violent and fierce storm upon the sea,
and lo and behold, he designed, wrote, felt and offered to the world
the song, ``Amazing Grace,'' which offered to us that one could be
saved when you felt lost and blind.
And so it is important that as we reflect on how wonderful it is to
live in this great country, how many attributes we have, we have
brought to this Congress the opportunity to commemorate and designate
September as Gospel Music Heritage Month.
There are some icons that I want to mention in this statement
tonight.
Dr. Bobby Jones, who founded and is the director and anchor and
presenter of ``Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel,'' a program that has been on
cable TV for 30 years, I did not say 10, I did not say 20, this is the
longest-running cable TV program in the Nation, not longest gospel TV
program, the longest gospel program of 30 years. And so I thank you,
Dr. Jones, for providing for aspiring artists and the many gospel
singers that have had their opportunity to be on your program.
Singers like Kurt Carr, V. Michael McKay and Don Jackson, who was the
founder of the Stellar Awards, which is the great honorable program
that honors all gospel singers. Certainly V. Michael McKay, as I
indicated, just wrote a book of hymns that has a gospel touch; to Jazzy
Jordan, who manages a number of artists and to many of those whose
names have been listed in this legislation, names like the Mighty
Clouds of Joy, Kirk Franklin, Theola Booker, Yolanda Adams, Edwin and
Walter Hawkins--and certainly we mourn the passing of brother Walter
Hawkins--Sandi Patty, the Winans, Kathy Taylor, Brenda Waters, Carl
Preacher--the late Carl Preacher--Shirley Joiner of B, C & S. All of
these may not still be with us today, but we recognize their value.
What about those who started with a grounding in gospel music like
Sam Cooke, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston,
Alan Jackson and many, many others.
So I hope that as we celebrate, we will find the opportunity to be
able to have a gospel music heritage event in every location around
America. Again, no matter what your background, you can celebrate
gospel music.
This bill has generated bipartisan support with 65 cosponsors, and I
urge the rest of my colleagues to join us in honoring and celebrating
this historic musical art form and pass H.J. Res. 90 today so that we
can establish September as Gospel Music Heritage Month in the United
States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support my bill H.J. Res. 90,
``Expressing Support for the Designation of September 2010 as `Gospel
Music Heritage Month' and Honoring Gospel Music for its Valuable and
Longstanding Contributions to the Culture of the United States.''
As you may know, gospel music is an American art form that has
spanned hundreds of years and across several generations. It has
touched millions of lives around the world while demonstrating its
profound ability to transcend secular musical genres. By surpassing
culturally constructed boundaries, gospel music has emerged as the
musical thread uniting the fabric of America. Rich, poor, young, old,
and even Democrats and Republicans alike have been uniquely interlinked
by gospel music's undeniable influence and contribution to American
culture. For this reason, it is important that we recognize and
celebrate the vital role that gospel music has played in shaping music
history.
While gospel music has become a multibillion-dollar industry, gospel
music's historic roots have originated in the humble and soulful
melodies of African American spirituals. Its sound contains diverse
elements from African music, melodic influences from Irish folk songs
and hymns, and ultimately borrowed from other uniquely American musical
styles including ragtime, jazz, and blues. The legacy of gospel music
can be heard in the voices of pioneers in American history, such as
Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, James Vaughan, Roberta Martin, and many
more.
The influence of gospel music can be found infused in all forms of
secular music including rock & roll, country, soul, R&B, and countless
other styles. Gospel music laid down the musical foundation for
legendary recording artists such as Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Aretha
Franklin, Buddy Holly, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton,
Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, and Randy Travis.
While there are many elements, situations, and issues that divide our
Nation, gospel music has found a unique way to highlight our
similarities and influence the cultural make of our society. Instead of
emphasizing our differences, gospel music has found a way to cater to
the fundamental elements that unite people around the world, focusing
on the soul of an individual rather than the mind. With that, it is
important that we do not take this art form for granted. We must make
sure that the heritage of gospel music is recognized, honored and
celebrated.
Over the years, songs like ``Amazing Grace,'' which was written by
John Newton, a young boy who left school at the age of eleven and began
a life as a pirate seaman. Eventually he engaged in slavery, capturing
people from West Africa and selling them to slave markets around the
world. But by the grace of God, fear was put into his heart when he was
caught in a violent and fierce storm upon the sea. Newton was so afraid
of a shipwreck that he began to read ``The Imitation of Christ'' by
Thomas a' Kepis. Calling himself a wretch who was lost and blind, John
Newton recognized that God had used this book to lead him to a dramatic
change in his way of life and this episode led him to write one of the
most amazing songs throughout history.
My bill will designate the month of September as ``Gospel Music
Heritage Month,'' honoring gospel music for its valuable long-standing
contributions to American culture. This bill has generated bipartisan
support with 65 cosponsors. I urge the rest of my colleagues to join me
in honoring and celebrating this historic musical art form, and to pass
H.J. Res. 90 today.
Mr. CAO. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all Members to support the
passage of H.J. Res 90, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting
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Gospel Music Heritage Month, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 90.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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