[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ASCAP'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the centennial 
of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
  When ASCAP's founders gathered in a New York hotel 100 years ago, 
they could not have imagined what the future held in store for the 
music industry, and the central role their organization would play in 
the music community. ASCAP's membership has grown to include more than 
\1/2\ million songwriters, composers, and publishers. Among these are 
some of America's most beloved musical talents, but ASCAP is also home 
to thousands of lesser known musicians who inspire and delight us.
  ASCAP licenses nearly 9 million musical works. The royalties ASCAP 
collects on behalf of its members, and the additional resources it 
provides, empower thousands of musicians to follow their lifelong 
passion for music while providing for themselves and their families. 
ASCAP is truly an invaluable resource both for songwriters and 
composers as well as the music loving community they serve.
  Over the years, ASCAP has been a tireless advocate for strong 
intellectual property protections. It continues to be at the forefront 
of the movement for sensible intellectual property laws that can keep 
pace with changes in technology, all the while serving the interests of 
both music creators and consumers in the digital age.
  It is critically important that both music creators and consumers 
have certainty about the relevant legal rules and protections. Yet, the 
current regulatory regime that governs ASCAP's operations may need to 
be updated to keep pace with innovations in how music is created, 
shared, and enjoyed. An updated legal regime is important not only for 
the musicians that make up ASCAP's membership, but also for the 
continued enjoyment of all their listeners among the American people. 
As Congress contemplates reforming our country's copyright law, it is 
my hope that this and other related issues will be given careful 
consideration.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing ASCAP's 100 years of 
tireless advocacy on behalf or songwriters, composers, and publishers, 
and wish them 100 more years of great music and success.

                          ____________________