[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       GOSPEL MUSIC HISTORY MONTH

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, sometimes we have the opportunity to 
come and to share some of the joys of America. This month is gospel 
music history month, and I am delighted to be able to say that we are 
celebrating the history of gospel music.
  In 2008, former Senator Blanche Lincoln and myself introduced a 
resolution to name September gospel music heritage month, and we are 
doing that to be able to reflect upon the writers and singers and 
musicians of gospel music throughout the country, in different areas 
around, in Appalachia and the Deep South and Midwest and the Far West 
and the east coast where people sing it in their own way, where 
soldiers sing the music and people sing it for comfort and joy.
  Tonight at the Kennedy Center, we will be honoring the former 
Senator, Blanche Lincoln, of Arkansas with Yolanda Adams and Kirk 
Franklin. These are individuals who represent a long trend of history 
in gospel music, but the real idea is to say that America is such a 
free and wonderful country that we can reflect upon the goodness of so 
many, singing songs of joy and praise, without the degradation and the 
trepidation of government interference, gospel music heritage, simply 
to say thank you--thank you for the music over the years.
  From the 1700s and 1800s and 1900s, through war and peace, gospel 
music has been a comfort to many Americans. I am delighted to celebrate 
and thank all of those who have contributed to the great history of 
America, gospel music history month.

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