[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E932-E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNETEENTH AND THE 22ND 
    CELEBRATION OF THE JUNETEENTH URBAN MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MEMPHIS, 
                               TENNESSEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 2015

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of the observance of Juneteenth in the United States. Even 
though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham 
Lincoln in September 1862, it was not until June 19, 1865 that Union 
Soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger announced to the last 
slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free. This year also marks 
the 22nd annual Juneteenth Urban Music Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. 
To commemorate this day in our history and the contributions of 
African-Americans to our nation, the 2015 Juneteenth Urban Music 
Festival theme is: ``Celebrating 150 Years with Music.''
   American music has long embodied influences of African culture, 
since the dark years of slavery when African instruments such as the 
banjo were introduced to America. Overtime, African Americans developed 
their own musical style on southern plantations that is now heard in 
nearly every genre of music, including gospel, blues, bluegrass, jazz, 
country and rock and roll. This is the true history of American music.
   The year's theme is an especially fitting one as Memphis has a rich 
musical history filled with contributions by African Americans. Memphis 
is home to Royal Studios, which was founded in 1957 and is one of the 
oldest recording studios in the world. Such talents as former owner and 
Memphian Willie Mitchell, Bobby Blue Bland, Ann Peebles, and Al Green 
have recorded hits at the studio. Most recently, the studio became the 
recording home of the 2015 Billboard Hot 100 chart topper, Uptown Funk, 
which held the number one spot for fourteen weeks. Memphis is also home 
to Stax Records, which is renowned for producing the sounds of Isaac 
Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, 
Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, Lalah Hathaway, Albert King, the 
Bar-Kays and many more. Other well-known musicians to come out of 
Memphis include B.B. King,

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W.C. Handy, Ruby Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Kirk and Kenneth Whalum and 
the Oscar-winning rap group, Three 6 Mafia.
   The 2015 Juneteenth Urban Music Festival will honor Memphis' own, 
the Bar-Kays, with a Legendary Award. With their beginnings at Stax 
producing backup music for other Stax artists, the Bar-Kays found their 
own voice and have been credited for creating ``Black Rock,'' which is 
now known as ``Funk,'' and have recorded 29 albums, of which five went 
gold and one went platinum, as well as 20 top ten singles. Some 
include: ``Shake Your Rump To The Funk,'' ``Hit and Run,'' ``Freakshow 
On The Dance Floor,'' ``Move Your Boogie Body,'' and ``Soul Finger,'' 
which was used in the 1985 movie, Spies Like Us, the 2007 comedy, 
Superbad, and the 2012 remake of Sparkle. Last year, the Bar-Kays 
celebrated 50 years in the music industry and their music continues to 
be an inspiration to artists worldwide.
   Mr. Speaker, this is a time to reflect upon the end of slavery in 
America and to recognize the many influences of African American 
citizens. It is in this spirit that I ask my colleagues to join me in 
observing our nation's 150th anniversary of Juneteenth and the 22nd 
celebrations in Memphis.