[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DOWELL TAYLOR

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Dowell Taylor for his recent induction into the National Black College 
Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation.
  Mr. Taylor is a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He is a graduate of 
Callaway High School and Jackson State University (JSU) where he 
received a Bachelor's in Music Education, as well as a Master's in 
Music Education. During his undergraduate years, he arranged over 100 
band selections including JSU's current theme song, ``Get Ready,'' an 
old Motown favorite. Mr. Taylor decided to further his study by 
enrolling in the Doctor of Musical Arts program in Wind Conducting at 
the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. He then 
went on to receive a certification in Music Technology from the 
Technology Institute for Music Educators.
  In 1975, he received the highest achievement of a JSU bandsman, the 
``Best All Around Bandsman'' award. Mr. Taylor has served as Director 
of Bands at both Mary Holmes, Jr. College and Kentucky State 
University--where he also served as department chair. From 1984 to 
1992, he served as Director of Music Technology and the Director of 
Bands of one of the most entertaining programs in HBCU history, the 
``Sonic Boom of the South.''
  In 2009, he developed the Music Technology degree program for 
undergraduate students at Jackson State University, accredited by the 
National Association of Schools of Music, and in 2010, he was honored 
by the Mississippi Jazz Foundation. Mr. Taylor's Jazz Quartet received 
the Jazz Group of the Year Award from the Jackson Music Award, Inc.
  After 31 years of service, he retired from Jackson State University 
in June of 2015. But, that did not stop him from coming back in 
September of 2017 to serve as Interim Director of Bands, Assistant 
Professor of Music and Director of Music Technology at Jackson State 
University.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Dowell 
Taylor on his induction into the National Black College Alumni Hall of 
Fame Foundation along with his years of dedicated leadership and 
servanthood to the art and craft of music.

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