[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO PRS FOR MUSIC ON 100 YEARS OF PROTECTING SONGWRITERS 
                             AND COMPOSERS

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                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2014

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize PRS for Music--the 
United Kingdom's Performing Rights Society--representing that nation's 
composers, lyricists and music publishers--on its milestone 100th 
anniversary.
  Founded in 1914, the same year as ASCAP, its sister American 
performing rights organization, PRS for Music has, for a century, 
championed and protected the rights of music writers and publishers by 
licensing the public performance of their music. Significantly, via 
reciprocal agreements with America's performing rights organizations, 
our friends at PRS for Music have protected our country's music 
creators by making it possible for American songwriters and composers 
to receive royalties when their works are performed in the United 
Kingdom.
  British music creators who joined the PRS in its early years include 
Ivor Novello, the writer of ``Keep the Home Fires Burning,'' Noel 
Coward, writer of ``Mad Dogs and Englishmen,'' Ray Noble, composer of 
``The Very Thought of You,'' Jimmy Kennedy, lyricist of ``South of the 
Border,'' Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets, Benjamin Britten, 
composer of The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, and pioneering 
music publishers William Boosey and Oliver Hawkes, who founded the PRS.
  As time went on, the musical cross-pollination between the United 
States and the United Kingdom grew more and more intense and PRS 
songwriters who have made their mark on the USA and the world include 
the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Andrew Lloyd 
Webber, Phil Collins, and Adele.
  PRS for Music has played a leading role in the global music industry 
for 100 years and has weathered every new development in music delivery 
and musical style. I hope that my colleagues will join me in applauding 
the significant contributions of PRS for Music and wishing them many 
more years of success.

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