[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 56 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E534-E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MR. DON COATES AND HIS 40 YEARS OF MUSIC AT ABRAHAM BALDWIN 
                          AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 7, 2014

  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to 
recognize Mr. Don Coates for his leadership of the music department at 
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, ABAC. It is appropriate at this 
milestone to reflect on and celebrate his achievements.
  For a small agricultural college of just 3,665 students, ABAC has a 
rich musical history. Each year the university sponsors a major jazz 
festival that attracts participation from well-known jazz performing 
artists as well as top high school jazz bands from across the state. 
This festival has seen performances from jazz greats including Maynard 
Ferguson, Nat Adderly, Jamie Abersold, Ron Diehl, and Bobby Shew.
  Also included in this annual festival is the accomplished ABAC Jazz 
Ensemble. The ensemble has entertained audiences throughout the 
southeastern United States, Mexico, and even Europe. Additionally, they 
performed on the world stage on three occasions: in 1996, as part of 
the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Atlanta, GA, in 1982 and 1984, 
when they played at the Knoxville, TN, and New Orleans, LA, world's 
fairs, respectively.
  Forty years ago, none of this would have been imagined possible, for 
no such music program existed at ABAC. Mr. Don Coates started the music 
program at ABAC upon joining the staff after he received his masters in 
musical education from Florida State University in 1974. A colleague 
lauded, ``For many years, he was the entire program--directing concert 
band, jazz band, and choir, in addition to teaching most of the music 
classes.'' His dedication has brought music to Georgia and to the 
world. For that, his 40 years as a musical educator should be 
celebrated.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me, on behalf of the great people of 
Georgia's Eighth Congressional District, in recognizing Mr. Coates for 
his service to our community and our state.

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